About the Image(s)
I belong to two camera clubs. One being very competitive, where the all knowing judge is never questioned, the other is very creative in their thinking, judges are welcome, but absolutely banned from "judging". An annual event on the creative calendar is a long weekend away somewhere. Covid killed this event in 2021. My two images this month were taken in the previous year about two hours north of Sydney. The original image is just to show the conditions of the morning, with a correctly exposed shot. My main image was when my mind and photographic eye became creative. I wanted to take some images under a bright morning sun, but have the appearance that they were taken under moonlight. Between these two images tripod and camera were moved about 70 meters or yards, and turned 90 degrees. Main image faces north, while the original face east. Time of capture is about 8.30am or so, because at 9.15am we were all back in a café ordering breakfast.
Exposure details for main image are ISO 100; 70mm lens; F22 and 1/4,000 of a second. Very little post processing, if any. My theory was that a very fast shutter speed would starve the scene of light, and produce the resultant image I wanted.
Sanford Morse
I like both images, the original better than the main. Sorry. But the main images shows what can be done when thinking outside the box. I'm going to give it a try. Posted: 12/09/2021 12:53:09
Ian Cambourne
Thanks Sanford. It's fun stepping outside the box now and then and try something different. Try a bright sunny day, manual exposure mode, ISO 100 and f22 (or anything above f11) for good depth of field. And when the camera is suggesting something like 1/25 of a second, tell it "No, I want 1/4,000 of a second. Sometimes 1/2,000 and sometimes 1/6,000, depending on what you are happy with. Posted: 12/21/2021 21:46:13
Henriette Brasseur
I so admire someone who thinks outside of the box and challenges him or herself to come up with a creative rendering of a scene. It is only when we challenge ourselves creatively that we grow as photographers. Each image is very pleasing and I like both. With the main image my eye concentrates on the light that is upon the waves and the outlines of the waves. It is a beautiful image in its simplicity. Well done, Ian. Can wait to see what else you come up with in the future. Posted: 12/16/2021 20:47:01
Ian Cambourne
Thank you for your comments Henriette. Posted: 12/21/2021 21:47:11
Stephen Levitas
(Group 32)I think your b/w image is brilliantly successful. It is minimalist yet detailed--an interesting combination. There is a full range of tones, even though the image is mostly black or near black. I greatly admire images that choose mostly black.
I am going to compare this (favorably) to a quite famous image, Wynn Bullock's "Let There be Light," attached, which was one of the prime images in the great 1955 "The Family of Man" show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Posted: 12/17/2021 23:29:55
Ian Cambourne
Thanks for dropping in again Stephen, your comments are always welcome and appreciated. I'm very honoured to be compared (favorably) with other photographers from the past. Posted: 12/21/2021 21:51:05
Trey Foerster
Definitely minimalist. Definitely pushes the black way to the left; use your histogram and other sliders (Black and Shadows and Contrast perhaps Dehaze) to adjust to right. You have opted toward the grainy, rough, gritty side - which is a personal choice for outcome and I think you achieved your goal. Posted: 12/18/2021 09:27:27
Ian Cambourne
Thanks Trey. I did have this one printed and there was no grain, perhaps you are looking at the sand texture or the surface of the water. Posted: 12/21/2021 21:53:53
Sophie Pouillon
Two different images, one soothing and creative minimalist and the other descriptive and dynamic.
Difficult to choose.
I like the black and white for its rendering of materials: water, shine, the play of light. The color is life, reality, capture to freeze a moment with a dynamic composition.
How to compare the calm of the first and the tempestuous side of the other?
I could not make a choice. What creativity! It is what I miss the most.
Posted: 12/20/2021 07:49:48
Ian Cambourne
Thank you for your comments Sophie. There is no need or requirement to make a choice between the two images. I only included the crashing wave to show the "true" lighting conditions at the time of capture. By the way, both images are colour images. Posted: 12/21/2021 21:57:24
Jay Joseph
Great image Ian. Your black and white treatment really makes it memorable. The curving wave coming in from the left brings the eye into the frame and leads through the picture. Very well done. Posted: 12/22/2021 15:16:10
Ian Cambourne
Thanks for your comments Jay. I was conscious of the waterline as a leading line, but it's funny to note that I did nothing in post processing with the colours. Basically, it's still a colour image. Posted: 12/26/2021 16:00:46
Stephen Levitas
(Group 32)That is fascinating that this is technically a color image. Is there any difference if you convert it to b/w? Posted: 12/26/2021 16:54:42
Very dramatic and very creative Ian. I personally love the black and white, but do think the color image is great and quite powerful with wonderful motion. It is so evident that you know your camera and how to set up for these great shots. I long to be around the ocean and these help get me there if only for a few moments. Wonderful. Have a great holiday. Where did the month of December go? Posted: 12/23/2021 10:14:40
Ian Cambourne
Thanks for your comments Heidi. A friend once told me there is a big difference between "taking a photo" and "making an image". He is very true. Posted: 12/26/2021 16:02:40
