Sabine Nehls, QPSA, EFIAP
July 2026 - Greetsiel's Harbor
Original
About the Image(s)
In July, my husband and I spent another week in Greetsiel on the North Sea coast.
Last year, we were able to photograph the double rainbow there.
This year, we wanted to try long-exposure photography with filters to make the water in the harbor look as silky as possible.
For this, I used a variable ND 1000 filter. The challenge with wide-angle photography is avoiding vignetting.
I took my shot towards evening, which allowed me to achieve an exposure time of 30 seconds at f/22.
In Photoshop, I made the usual adjustments and cropped the image into a square.
Panasonic DC-S5D,
24mm, f/22, 30 sec., ISO 50, tripod
12 comments posted
Sabine,
This is gorgeous. You certainly achieved your goal with a silk harbor. I love the warm light. The photo has a very calming effect.
For me, the post on the right draws my eye away from the boat and is a bit distracting. I tried a smaller crop to remove the post. What do you think? Posted: 07/02/2026 21:53:14
This is gorgeous. You certainly achieved your goal with a silk harbor. I love the warm light. The photo has a very calming effect.
For me, the post on the right draws my eye away from the boat and is a bit distracting. I tried a smaller crop to remove the post. What do you think? Posted: 07/02/2026 21:53:14
Sylvia, thank you so much for your edit. I felt the same way, but I really wanted something on the right side. There was nothing else there. :-((
I'll think about how I can change the dominant post a bit. Posted: 07/13/2026 13:37:28
I'll think about how I can change the dominant post a bit. Posted: 07/13/2026 13:37:28
Sabine... I really like the image the way you did it. I'm not suggesting the attached edit is better because it's not. I just love tweaking photos in Lightroom and Photoshop. This edit shows some of what you can do with an image. Posted: 07/03/2026 17:28:04
I'm constantly amazed at what's possible with Photoshop. Thank you for your idea and your editing. Posted: 07/13/2026 13:39:56
It was a fun project. I actually learn a lot by doing outrageous edits like that one. Rather than cropping the wooden posts out, I decided to use them as a leading line. Posted: 07/13/2026 17:28:57
Sabine, What a gorgeous picturesque shot. You achieved your goal of creating a milky harbor. The image is smooth with rich colors. Looks like a painting. I first saw the serene water with reflections then the piling. I agree in removing the piling. This would highlight the boat and homes in the background. Also for a second image, consider highlighting the boat. It has a lot of interesting details that piqued my curiosity.
Yes, I remember the double rainbow! Greetsiel's habor is a magical place. Posted: 07/08/2026 13:54:31
Yes, I remember the double rainbow! Greetsiel's habor is a magical place. Posted: 07/08/2026 13:54:31
Thanks for your suggestions, Yvonne. I've chosen a new format (unfortunately, the moon is no longer there) and brightened the ship a bit. Posted: 07/13/2026 14:34:54
Hi Sabine,
I had a similar reaction as Sylvia's and removed the post - that was my only edit - and think I'd also re-crop a bit but wanted to see the photo without the post. Posted: 07/10/2026 13:41:03
I had a similar reaction as Sylvia's and removed the post - that was my only edit - and think I'd also re-crop a bit but wanted to see the photo without the post. Posted: 07/10/2026 13:41:03
The wooden post bothered everyone, it seems. Sometimes you don't want to change your perspective, but the group's opinion changed mine.
Thanks for your idea. Posted: 07/13/2026 14:40:02
Thanks for your idea. Posted: 07/13/2026 14:40:02
Sabine, this is a beautiful scene with great lighting! Really like the warm tones from the evening sun. The long exposure makes the water very silky and smooth and it's great the moon was there for you, as well. You sure have some beautiful countryside in your neck of the woods.
I do have to agree with the others on the post of the dock. It does pull my eye away from the rest of the image. I actually like your original image better (except for the posts). I like the wider shot of the harbor and the second boat. Posted: 07/10/2026 20:46:28
I do have to agree with the others on the post of the dock. It does pull my eye away from the rest of the image. I actually like your original image better (except for the posts). I like the wider shot of the harbor and the second boat. Posted: 07/10/2026 20:46:28
Thanks, Randy, for your kind words. I'm glad you like the warm colors of the sunset and the silky water.
You can see my new crop under Yvonne's comment. Do you like it better?
Thanks again for letting me know that you prefer the original. It's worth trying the wider-angle shot. Posted: 07/13/2026 14:47:38
You can see my new crop under Yvonne's comment. Do you like it better?
Thanks again for letting me know that you prefer the original. It's worth trying the wider-angle shot. Posted: 07/13/2026 14:47:38
(Groups 21 & 42 & 71)
Sabine, I hope you don't mind, but I couldn't resist playing around with your amazing image! The sharpness and detail are just spectacular, which gives it so much versatility. As a huge lover of fishing trawlers, I tried a tighter crop to really focus on the vessel. This is such a beautiful photograph, and the way you captured that silky water is outstanding! Posted: 07/13/2026 23:35:12