Stormy weather at Ainster Harbour

[Donald]

Now getting more opportunity to to be out with the cameras more frequently. And the creative juices are flowing quite freely - Well, I think so anyway.

A place that keeps drawing me back is the East Neuk of Fife and its series of harbour villages dotted along the Firth of Forth. This light at the end of Ainster (or Anstruther, to give it its proper name) Harbour has featured in a number of my images previously. Again, it's one of those situations of knowing that there are lots of potential images to be made from one location.

Today it was pretty wild. I just wanted to experiment. Didn't want the 'traditional' waves crashing over the harbour wall. So got up nice and close. The wall increased in height significantly just at the point at which I was standing. So water coming over at that point was going right over my head. I was using the 5DS and the 24-70 f2.8L, so was being very, very careful in and around this salt water.

Any thoughts, ideas or comments will, as always, be appreciated.

[Shadowman]

That is one crazy capture, is that collecting on a windshield or captured in air?

[Donald]

Nope. No protective windshield. That's in the wild open air of the north-east Fife coast.

[Davejl]

Impressive shot. Don't get washed away!

[Shadowman]

Nope. No protective windshield. That's in the wild open air of the north-east Fife coast.

Very impressive, like you I would have been worried about my gear getting soaked.

[Geoff F]

Spray, Donald, is so difficult to capture well and this scene, like most of my attempts, doesn't really work for me.

I find you need a really fast shutter speed and make sure none of the drops over expose to appear white.

[Daisy Mae]

Now ..I have an interest ( or two) to declare here..

I lived in Ainster for some years, I know it, its moods and the challenges it presents to the photographer. I also know the photographer here ..and some of his moods. Neither are straightforward.

There is a gritty, splashy nature to Ainster...much more than its 'genteel' East Neuk counterparts..Elie and Crail etc..are very picture book..Ainster, along with Pitenweem and St Monans is their harsh older cousin.

It could seem that the spray spoils this shot...is somehow 'not fine and delicate enough'...but THAT is the very truth about the place....its personality.

As I have said .I know it and understand it but with Geoffs 'critique' in mind I have tried to address it anew...and if I had any suggestion at all ..or comment on..Donald's treatment in a purely artistic sense I would ( personally) try to bring back some of the darks in the lower part for definition...and see if that could contribute anything at all.

[Daisy Mae]

This film may help anyone who wants to know more about our beloved 'East Neuk' and its people.

Directed by the great Alan Rickman who sadly died last month ..very young indeed.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120521/

[DEAN01]

Wow, Donald, the creative juices are really flowing!

[John 2]

Can't make up my mind about this. Sharon's suggestion to perhaps darken the shadows towards the bottom of the comp definitely works for me but I can't decide whether being "in" the spray as opposed to capturing it from further away works as a creative approach or not. I will view it some more with fresh eyes tomorrow.

[Dave Humphries]

So that's what "creative juices" look like, I have often wondered (not having any myself)


Seriously, I did get the feeling of being up close and personal to the spray Donald.

When I look at the image, I am struck by the apparent incongruity of 'swimming pool steps' on the left and thinking that what is below them is not as benign as yer average swimming pool.

Then I see the lamp stands along the quay and wish they had installed something more 'characterful' in style (read: old fashioned looking) - these ones look more like BR railway platform lights from the nineties

Is the sloping horizon part of the creative process?

I'm also feeling the light house/beacon structure is very centred in the composition, but I think that is unavoidable.

I'm happy with the exposure.

Not sure those thoughts are any help whatsoever.

C'est la vie, Dave

[Donald]

So that's what "creative juices" look like, I have often wondered (not having any myself)

Is the sloping horizon part of the creative process?

The first part of that is up for debate. But there's definitely nothing wrong with the eyesight. Master copy corrected. Thank you, sir.

[Donald]

... and if I had any suggestion at all ..or comment on..Donald's treatment in a purely artistic sense I would ( personally) try to bring back some of the darks in the lower part for definition...and see if that could contribute anything at all.

Is the sloping horizon part of the creative process?

I always do what I'm told.

Go into the Lightbox and use the arrows to flip to and from between the two.

[rpcrowe]

My idea regarding this type of shooting is NOT TO DO IT because it can be dangerous to the photographer and equipment.

However, I have used a KATA rain cover in some pretty heavy rain conditions. This is not a Kata but is basically the type I used:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-DSLR...8AAOSwPcVVmfF~

With the addition of some strategically placed elastic bands and a protective filter, the rain cover will go a long way to protect your gear...

[IzzieK]

You are brave, Donald -- very, very brave to tackle this condition head on. I know I won't sacrifice my hard earned dollars fearing my equipment will be ruined ...