Barbara Gore
May 2021 - Ebb and Flow
About the Image(s)
Ebb and Flow
This photo was taken a few years ago at Edisto, SC. After shooting the Milky Way during the early morning hours, I stayed to watch the sunrise. Although the sky was pretty, I was more interested in the rhythmical pattern of the ocean water coming and going. Typically beaches without a strong focal point aren’t very compelling to me but I decided to use 1/10 shutter speed in order to see a bit more texture in the rushing water and make the image more interesting.
In photoshop, I cloned out a few people at the far end of the beach. In lightroom, I made a few exposure, highlights, shadow, and cropping adjustments.
Canon 5D Mark IV
F16, 1/10 sec
16-35 mm lens @ 18 mm
ISO 100
Gitzo tripod and RRS ball head
No filter
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
I actually think you created a strong focal point with isolated golden sunrise area on the left. You also have several other factors working quite favorably for you. Having the complimentary colors of blue and yellow/orange add a great deal of impact as they the most favorable colors for photography. Your selected shutter speed roughed up the water just enough to turn it into multiple leading lines, that along with the lines created by the edges of the waves make the lines that much stronger. The near white tones of the waves work well with the darker tones to add additional impact. Personally, I might have cropped the blank band of blue sky off the top, but that could be simply a maker's choice. Posted: 05/08/2021 13:58:21
Thanks for your feedback Larry. I always liked this image because of the water but wasn't sure it was strong enough. I will play with cropping the sky a bit more and see how it looks. Posted: 05/14/2021 16:18:51
I read something a while back that said most landscape images include 25% too much sky. it stuck with me and now I subconsciously always make a mental crop. I'm not sure about the 25% amount, but I think the concept is likely valid. Posted: 05/14/2021 16:33:36
I never heard that but now it will stick in my mind when composing and editing especially if the sky lacks interest. Thanks! Posted: 05/14/2021 18:00:16
The exposure was probably a challenge and is nicely managed for the scene. I echo Larry's comments about the colors creating color impact in the image. The waves form an effective leading line to the sun. Sometimes, capturing water receding after a wave comes in has a lot more texture and interest, but that may have competed with the sunrise so photographer's choice. I think the way you captured the waves added a lot of energy to the image. If it were my image, I could consider brightening the whites of the waves slightly and cropping out some of the blue sky. Kudos to you for hanging in after a night shoot. Posted: 05/08/2021 19:36:11
Thank you Michael and it was definitely a long night! I tried to brighten the white in the waves before posting but it didn't look right. I will definitely try again. Thanks for the suggestion!
Posted: 05/14/2021 16:21:03
Posted: 05/14/2021 16:21:03
First, I have to apologize for not commenting on your April picture, it was a picture of my liking.
You certainly have the grip of creating mood in your images. I like your choice of shutter speed where the texture is maintained and at the same time has some blurry effect. The composition is good with leading lines from the waves and the shoreline. The two complementary colours make the image pop. It is, of course, personal taste, but I would tone down the brightness of the yellow sky slightly as it takes too much attention from the sea.
Posted: 05/09/2021 00:30:29
You certainly have the grip of creating mood in your images. I like your choice of shutter speed where the texture is maintained and at the same time has some blurry effect. The composition is good with leading lines from the waves and the shoreline. The two complementary colours make the image pop. It is, of course, personal taste, but I would tone down the brightness of the yellow sky slightly as it takes too much attention from the sea.
Posted: 05/09/2021 00:30:29
Thanks Arne and no worries about he April image. Time is precious and sometimes there just isn't enough of it to go around! I kicked up the sky vibrance a bit before posting so I will definitely relook at it again. Posted: 05/14/2021 16:25:46
I really like the longer exposure - it really captures the motion of the water which contrasts nicely with the sharpness of the clouds in the sky. Really nice image with a lot of impact! Posted: 05/12/2021 23:52:00
Thank you Bill. I appreciate everyone's comments as I wasn't sure about this image. I always liked it as well as friends and family but lol that doesn't count. I like hearing the reasons why it works or doesn't work. Posted: 05/14/2021 16:28:24
Barbara, all of the comments regarding your photo have been said. I believe you really spent some time getting this photo just right. Question, how many pictures did you take of the waves to get this one? Posted: 05/16/2021 19:02:36
Thanks Richard. I wish I could say just one photo was taken but unfortunately it was several! Posted: 05/18/2021 12:00:10