Thursday, February 19, 2009

Point Lobos State Reserve

It finally stopped raining after several very wet days here on the coast. It wasn't a pleasant drizzle that you can keep shooting in and end up with rich, moody photos. It was windy, with driving rain... impossible to keep the front of my lens dry. So I drank coffee, read and edited photos to wait out the weather.
With great weather conditions back, I spent yesterday at Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel. My photo targets at Point Lobos were harbor seals and seascapes, both of which were obliging.

Photo 1: Harbor Seal
EOS 1DsIII; 500IS + 1.4x TC; 580EX flash + Better Beamer (for fill flash); Singh-Ray LB polarizer (drop in). There was no way to move to the other side of the backlit seal, so this was a classic situation for use of fill flash. Without it there was basically no shot.

Photo 2: Weston Beach sunset
EOS 1DsIII; 17-40mm; Singh-Ray Colorcombo polarizer & stacked 2 & 3 stop hard edge ND grads (4x6" size, handheld in front of the lens); mirror lock up & cable release; ISo 200; 5s @ f16
This beach is named after pioneer photographer, Edward Weston.

Photo 3: Kelp stems at sunset - Weston Beach (horizontal)
EOS 1DsIII; 17-40mm; Singh-Ray Colorcombo polarizer & stacked 2 & 3 stop hard edge ND grads (4x6" size, handheld in front of the lens); mirror lock up & cable release; ISo 400; 25s @ f18

Photo 4: Kelp stems at sunset - Weston Beach (vertical)
Whenever possible, I shoot both horizontal and vertical compositions to have variety for publishing. I think the vertical is a stronger image. What do you think?

13 comments:

  1. I like the horizontal myself, but the advice is still solid!

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  2. I like the vertical, I like the way it "stretches" the roots, nice shots

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  3. Anonymous9:54 PM

    I like the vertical shot - the horizontal has a bit to much empty space in the lower left corner

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  4. Anonymous1:58 AM

    My middle name is vertical.

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  5. Let it be said that both are stunning.

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  6. The vertical shot has more depth - but perhaps that is just stating the obvious...

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  7. Anonymous10:08 PM

    I like your vertical image. Your work is beautiful. Your compositions are powerful and your color so rich. I find your META data and comments to be so helpful. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. Anonymous8:29 AM

    Vertical. The water has more of a dramatic effect in the vertical photograph.

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  9. Anonymous2:51 PM

    my vote is for the vertical comp

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  10. Anonymous9:28 AM

    I was in the area about the same time. The only days I had available to shoot were, of course, the days when it rained hardest. In the forest, it allowed for some interesting opportunities; along the coast, well, I at least enjoyed the wind and spray that accompanied the view.

    Just a general "amazing work"! I really love looking through your photography - very inspirational - as is your commentary.

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  11. hello, this post remember me when i was a child, i do not know why....

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