And not so iconic...

[NorthernFocus]

Within a couple of kilometers of the Twelve Apostles is a place called Loch Ard Gorge. It's named after a ship, the Lock Ard, that ran aground there with a tragic loss of life. There are some very interesting coastal features. For those who saw my other thread about shooting the Apostles, on the same cloudy day we stopped at Lock Ard Gorge. After wandering around a bit we stumbled upon a little spot with nice rock texture, high surf, and some brightly colored sea weed revealed by the low tide.

There are various opinions about the concept of "working a location". But I think this series of shots is useful to demonstrate how different views of the same subject can be dramatically different. The following shots were all made within a few minutes and just a few steps apart. At the time I was focused on the composition and didn't realize how much different the sky and water looked based on the various angles. The images are posted here in the order in which they were shot as different aspects of the scene caught my attention.

Sony a6000, 18-55mm kit lens, CPL filter, handheld. Best viewed in the light box.

1) In this first shot I was trying to capture the rock texture, the contrasting color of the seaweed, the huge breakers, and the beautiful blue water. Shot at 23mm(34mm FF equiv)


2) Then I decided to do all of the above plus show the coastline and water running off of the rock. Shot at 18mm.


3) As I started to walk away I noticed the curve of the edge of the rock and tried to do something with that. I timed the shot for when the water receded revealing the darker kelp covered rock in contrast with the green. This one is my favorite of the three. Shot at 20mm.

[Sam W]

Nice photos. Thanks for sharing. #2 is my favorite, although I do like the contrast of the green and kelp covered rock in #3 but you can see a bit of that in #2.

[Mike Buckley]

Very effective demonstration!

This is the sort of scene that is usually quite difficult for me because of the various characteristics you mentioned -- sky, water, seaweed and rock. I invariably think I have a great image only to get to the computer to realize that I hadn't anchored the image with anything as well as I thought I had done.

On that note, I marvel at the complexity of the second image and how you have simplified it by arranging the various elements in an order that makes them so natural to easily comprehend. All three images are very nice but for me the second one is the special one.

[Wavelength]

Great colour combinations; really liked them all

[tinally]

Beautiful images. I am particularily fond of the first one, as the blue of the sea shows more than in the others really makes the colour composition more striking.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice set, #2 is my fav

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, everyone. It is amazing how strikingly different the three images are given how close together time and place were.

[Mike Buckley]

It is amazing how strikingly different the three images are given how close together time and place were.

Imagine photographing a person's head from the front, the rear and a profile within a two-minute period of time. We would see completely different images. We essentially do the same when we work a landscape scene, so we should expect similarly similarly different results.

[SamRothstein]

Great shots, all three, but I must say #2 does it for me. It's so moody!

[Geoff F]

Exposure is just right and nicely sharp surf plus a good focus on the foreground as well.

[NorthernFocus]

Imagine photographing a person's head from the front, the rear and a profile within a two-minute period of time. We would see completely different images...

Slightly altered your example is a good one and reflective of the emotional aspect of connection with the subject. When I look at my wife's head from the front, rear, and profile, I see essentially the same image. Not only that but I see her as she was 30+ years ago. But when I capture an image of her and look at it critically on the computer screen, lighting, angles, etc. make a huge difference. The emotional versus the technical mindset.

At my current state of development, landscape photography is still a highly emotional exercise. I'm much more clinical shooting wildlife and particularly species that are already in my portfolio. When I review landscape photos they inevitably reveal things that I didn't notice at the time. Another reminder how we see with our minds, not our eyes.

[Kaye Leggett]

They are lovely images Dan, particularly the 2nd. And thanks for the commentary and insights which add to the images.

[Donald]

Another reminder how we see with our minds, not our eyes.

There may be many people reading this thread who are quite new to photography and just starting to learn some of the principles. If so, then log this one in your memory bank.

[tinally]

Another reminder how we see with our minds, not our eyes.

And this quote transfers so beautifully so many aspects in life.

[IzzieK]

And this quote transfers so beautifully so many aspects in life.

This comment can translate easily to the phrase..."jumping to conclusion"?

All right, moving on...I like all three shots, Dan...particularly the water shots. I didn't see any kelp which I used to collect from that particular connection to those beaches you were in and washed them well and put them in my vegetable garden for fertilizer. I also like the textures you have captured and the composition...what else is there to dislike..?

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for carrying on the discussion, folks. I just arrived back home in Alaska and opened my email. Bone weary after 29 hrs in transit so not mentally capable of saying much more.

[Ndukes]

Three wonderful atmospheric studies. And, I agree, there is rarely just one 'right' take on a scene. I suppose the same rules apply as with your wildlife exploits. Capture the best shot and then try for a better one. They all say something different. I had a similar experience recently shooting Autumn colours in one of my favourite locations. Continuing to explore all the possibilities of the scene began to reveal more and more of its nature.
I also can identify with your comments regarding portraits of your wife and seeing with our minds, not our eyes.
Looking forward to seeing more wildlife and landscape, now that you are back home again.
Don't get too close to those bears!

[tinally]

This comment can translate easily to the phrase..."jumping to conclusion"?

I am sorry Izzie, what do you mean by that? I am a litte confused by your comment.

[IzzieK]

Thanks for carrying on the discussion, folks. I just arrived back home in Alaska and opened my email. Bone weary after 29 hrs in transit so not mentally capable of saying much more.

Lonely doggie must have been the happiest creature on earth to see you back...haha...how many licks did you she gave you?