How the waves move - a study thanks to Donald

[Kaye Leggett]

For a while I have been fascinated by how water moves - you think it is constant but if you watch the waves or indeed a waterfall, the water flow changes all the time. Not only does the scenry change, Donald mentions in his Blog that the light changes fractionally over split seconds too. This prompted me to go back and look at some photos taken more or less simultaneously and how both the content and light changed.

These were taken at Penlee Point in Cornwall on Tuesday this week, all within 4 seconds of each other and processed in the same way. A really interesting exercise - thanks Donald.

C&C welcome

[Shadowman]

It can take quite a bit of patience waiting for that perfect cascade of water over a rock formation or waiting for the seaweed to undulate just right. Nice captures.

[Wavelength]

A beautiful set of combination of statics versus dynamics

[Geoff F]

One of the tricks with seascapes is waiting to that perfect moment to press the shutter.

But so often I have waited a couple of seconds too long and missed the maximum effect.

One of the few occasions when shooting bursts, or at least several single shots in succession, then deleting the second raters is worth doing.

[Shadowman]

One of the tricks with seascapes is waiting to that perfect moment to press the shutter.

But so often I have waited a couple of seconds too long and missed the maximum effect.

One of the few occasions when shooting bursts, or at least several single shots in succession, then deleting the second raters is worth doing.

I think we all have a preconceived notion of what water looks like ( or should look like); when in reality it looks like nothing, it's the surrounding light, solid matter that makes the true vision. You can sometimes very luckily get the perfect shot within minutes, but I've heard of photographers taking days, weeks, or even months to get the perfect image.

[Donald]

thanks Donald.

Wow! Thank you. You honour and flatter me.

I'm just grateful for this BA in Photography course that I've started. If you ever think you're getting to a stage of knowing most of it, just start doing a course like this. Already I'm finding it fascinating and been introduced to thinking about photography in ways that are completely new to me. It really does make you think long and hard about what photography is and what you, as an enthusiast, are trying to achieve. As I've written many times before, I love learning and having my knowledge stretched and extended.

[Kaye Leggett]

One of the tricks with seascapes is waiting to that perfect moment to press the shutter.

But so often I have waited a couple of seconds too long and missed the maximum effect.

One of the few occasions when shooting bursts, or at least several single shots in succession, then deleting the second raters is worth doing.

How I empathise Geoff. I spent a long time last weekend for the perfect roll on the wave and also the surfer actually up on his/her board rather than just bobbing about (apologies to any surfers out there, if bobbing about is the wrong term). I think it would have been easier if I had taken my tripod along with me as then I could watch the waves better, but then again the waves don't always break in the same place so even then you'll miss some good 'uns.

These shots were a series of six - the second didn't add anything to the first/third sequence so I omitted it. That said I would like to reduce the sequence to three as I have a small space in my hall I could display them as a tryptich, but at present can't make up my mind which two to eliminate

[Kaye Leggett]

I think we all have a preconceived notion of what water looks like ( or should look like); when in reality it looks like nothing, it's the surrounding light, solid matter that makes the true vision. You can sometimes very luckily get the perfect shot within minutes, but I've heard of photographers taking days, weeks, or even months to get the perfect image.

How right you are John. I have learn't this over the last year in particular with waterfalls rather than waves. One waterfall was particularly beautiful in Assynt and in full spate - all my photos have been ditched as I couldn't quite get the light/angle/combination. I also have a set from some falls in Italy that I haven't yet looked at as I took so many images and can't 'face' the disappointment !

[Kaye Leggett]

You honour and flatter me.

All deserved. You are an inspiration to us all.

[Geoff F]

If you are looking to ditch two of them, Kaye, this is how I see the series.

#1 is 'wave out' the lowest point; so that has to remain.
#2 and #3 are rather similar but between them I slightly prefer #2. So out with #3.

#4 has a nice bit of height to a wave but you have lost the fine detail on that spot, and it has a slight blue cast compared to the others. So ditch that one.

Which leaves 1,2 & 5 and they appear to nicely flow together.

[Shadowman]

How right you are John. I have learn't this over the last year in particular with waterfalls rather than waves. One waterfall was particularly beautiful in Assynt and in full spate - all my photos have been ditched as I couldn't quite get the light/angle/combination. I also have a set from some falls in Italy that I haven't yet looked at as I took so many images and can't 'face' the disappointment !

It's better to have more than a few, at least it shows effort. I tried to hurry up a capture recently, granted I was doing it during a drizzle, I thought I had it and it wasn't bad but I would have liked to spend more time. Next time the look will be totally different and it may takes weeks before the conditions are close to the same.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Kaye Thanks for sharing the series. I find the first and the last better compositionally.If you add some structure or sharpening to the rocks only , the images might look more dramatic and better

[IzzieK]

I agree with Binnur in her assessment here...I have always been fascinated with water flow too but I have not really photographed them as a study. Good move...Donald is really an inspiration. I go to his webpage every now and then and just read his thoughts...

[Tronhard]

HI Donald:

May I ask where you are doing your BA course from? Is it extra mural? Perhaps a link? I want something to do when I retire , after the many "odd jobs" that She Who Must Be Obeyed has listed for me to deal with...

As always I enjoy your gentle and insightful comments across a wide range of subject, it makes for a great community.

Trev

[Kaye Leggett]

Hi Kaye Thanks for sharing the series. I find the first and the last better compositionally.If you add some structure or sharpening to the rocks only , the images might look more dramatic and better

Thanks for your insight Binnur. I have worked on the rocks, but as ever am perhaps over cautious and not worked on them enough. I will take another look.

[Kaye Leggett]

It's better to have more than a few, at least it shows effort. I tried to hurry up a capture recently, granted I was doing it during a drizzle, I thought I had it and it wasn't bad but I would have liked to spend more time. Next time the look will be totally different and it may takes weeks before the conditions are close to the same.

Time is always against us !!

[george013]

Kaye,

If you want to do it another time, count the waves. The biggest comes every certain number. I remember 5 but am not sure about it and if it's different on other locations.

George

[Kaye Leggett]

Kaye,

If you want to do it another time, count the waves. The biggest comes every certain number. I remember 5 but am not sure about it and if it's different on other locations.

George

I always thought it was every 7th, but again maybe wrong and it may vary around the world.

[Donald]

HI Donald:

May I ask where you are doing your BA course from? Is it extra mural? Perhaps a link?

PM sent with info.

[george013]

I always thought it was every 7th, but again maybe wrong and it may vary around the world.

To tell you the truth, I first wrote 7 but changed it.
It's fascinating not only how the wave break on the rocks, but also how they are formed.

George