12-stop shot

[Donald]

Got out to play today with my new Singh-Ray Mor-Slo 5-stop ND coupled with the Singh-Ray Vari ND. Set the latter at 7 stops, so was shooting at 12 stops. The exposure was about 3 minutes 15 seconds.

More an experiment in using the two NDs together than an attempt at fine art. However, any comments you care to make/critique you want to offer, will always be gratefully accepted.

[Steaphany]

Nice effect

[Mike Buckley]

More an experiment in using the two NDs together than an attempt at fine art.

How satisfying it must be to realize that you accomplished both!

I'm surprised that you retained so much detail in the water. Did you by any chance merge two photos, one with more detail in the water with one with less detail? Regardless, the outcome is exquisite.

I'm tempted to bookmark this thread so I can direct people to it when they insist that all photos should display true blacks. This image's histogram shown below speaks volumes about one method of accomplishing such a beautiful image.

[Donald]

Thank you, Steaphany.

Thank you, Mike. Like you, I was surprised to see the water. No, it is just the one shot. It was quite choppy. I think what has happened is that the underlying current flow that remains constant has been allowed to show through. That's my only explanation.

[Manfred M]

Definitely an interesting experiment and a rather unexpected result. I too am rather surprised that the water shows texture with an exposure that long. The flow of the river must be extremely consistent to get that pattern. I would have expected something completely soft and textureless.

[Donald]

The flow of the river must be extremely consistent to get that pattern.

That's a good point. I suspect that it is. This is the River Tay as it passes the city of Dundee and just before it enters the North Sea. The Tay is one of Scotland's iconic rivers. It is probably most famously known as a great salmon fishing river. Upstream it flows through some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery.

[Steaphany]

Is this image in the natural colors of the scene, or did you need to make any significant adjustments ?

[ST1]

Well done Donald, I shall revisit this when I vacate my hospital bed and return home tomorrow as I don't think my phone screen does justice to the image. I need to see it large.
You've chosen a great subject for experiment

[billtils]

Me too Mike - as Donald's work consistently shows, there is a world of difference between a photograph that ticks/(US "checks") all the boxes from the "techniques manual" and/or "competition judges manual" and one that is imaginative, thoughtful, well composed and downright good looking.

[billtils]

Thought it was the "Beautiful railway bridge of the silv'ry Tay" Donald - very nicely done indeed, and thanks for posting it for us to enjoy.

[Rita]

A beautiful image Donald. Nothing else to add that others haven't said.

[tao2]

Great minds Donald,

Was along Riverside with an old Lubitel 6x6 at first light this morning, taking much the same shots. This was a test run after stripping and cleaning the lens elements and replacing seals etc. Hope the shots turn out al least as good as yours. Ah really enjoy shooting this bridge and environs

[Mike Buckley]

OFF-TOPIC

Peter,

So sorry to learn that you've been in the hospital. Hope everything is going as well as possible considering the circumstances and that you have a speedy recovery.

[Rebel]

Great image Donald. I love it, very minimalistic.

[Donald]

Thank you all for your comments. This did turn out much better than I had imagined it might.

Great minds Donald,

Was along Riverside with an old Lubitel 6x6 at first light this morning, taking much the same shots.

Mine was just after 1pm Boab. I'd been up at a group I attend at Maggie's Centre at Ninewells and had decided to take a run through Fife instead of coming straight home . As I got down onto Riverside, I realised what the bridge would be looking like (having previously photographed it in mist/fog).

What I couldn't get over were the number of cars there. I presume all at that pub/restaurant. It was mobbed.

Is this image in the natural colors of the scene, or did you need to make any significant adjustments ?

It really was this grey, Steaphany. I hardly needed to do a B & W conversion. There is a slight copper toning on it.

[Stagecoach]

It works well for me Donald and the water has retained the appearance of a strong flow.

[deetheturk]

Very nice Donald, and a worthy experiment, looking forward to much of the same!

[mugge]

I just want to echo Bill. Maybe take 2mm of the bottom. He He!
Cheers Ole

[Donald]

Thought it was the "Beautiful railway bridge of the silv'ry Tay" Donald - very nicely done indeed, and thanks for posting it for us to enjoy.

Yesterday, Bill, it was ".. grey, wet and dreich* Tay".

* Dreich (Old Scots origin) A combination of dull, overcast, drizzly, cold, misty and miserable weather. At least 4 of the above adjectives must apply before the weather is truly dreich.

[Shadowman]

Nice composition and texture effect.