Uh-oh!

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 15, 2012517 views19 comments

Crashing waves and sandstone near the fallen Keyhole Arch, Cape Kiwanda, Oregon.

Uh-oh! was what I said out loud as I was capturing this image. I got absolutely soaked by this set of waves, but somehow managed to keep my camera dry. A fraction of a second after I captured this frame, I instinctively grabbed the tripod and raised it up above my head. Shooting the waves this close was intense!

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 10-24 dx at 15mm, polarizer
1/25 sec at f/16, ISO 100
B/W conversion in LR 4 with a few tweaks in CS6

Please check out the larger version and let me know if you think it effectively captures the energy of this moment. Thanks for taking a look.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on October 15, 2012 at 9:36 PM

Now that's an exciting image! Yes, the larger image captures the moment well; I could tell you had a real adventure shooting this without even reading your narrative. Your POV brings the viewer right in the water with you, and the shutter speed illustrates the motion well. I think the brightness in the conversion helps convey the power of the water, too.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 15, 2012 at 9:51 PM

Scott, Captures the energy? Boy, does it ever! I really like the b/w conversion.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on October 15, 2012 at 10:21 PM

Intense is the operative word here. Incredible energy and drama in this image. It's exciting just to look at, can't image what a rush it must have been to shoot. Nice job

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on October 15, 2012 at 10:26 PM

Yes, I can definitely sense the onrush of the wave. Good use of black and white conversion.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 15, 2012 at 10:37 PM

Love the action Scott. I wish there was a little more detail in the white area of the wave action but know it was proably difficult to capturre in such conditions.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on October 15, 2012 at 10:40 PM

Unusual and effective. Almost feels like I could get wet too.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on October 15, 2012 at 10:48 PM

Everything about this says fast. I think you captured the on rushing water very well. Lots of little details to look at and the more I looked I could see why you got soaked. Glad you were willing as this is a really nice image. Timing is critical and looks like you nailed it here. Well composed and exposed. And nice B&W conversion. Hope you had dry clothes nearby.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on October 15, 2012 at 10:48 PM

Sweet! Best surf shot ive seen in a while!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on October 15, 2012 at 11:24 PM

I know you didn't put your new D800 in that!

Me no like gettin' salt spray in my face! But I'd say it definately captured the intensity of the moment.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Smorra on October 15, 2012 at 11:56 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate it.

Chris - it will be awhile before I subject the D800 to these kinds of conditions!

Registered on November 2, 2009, 161 Posts, 2143 Comments

Comment posted by Vlad Sadovsky on October 16, 2012 at 3:01 AM

This is great choice to do black and white, focus on this energy. Like the immersive quality, but especially how you made the white foam stand against the rock.

Registered on November 12, 2010, 48 Posts, 358 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on October 16, 2012 at 7:47 AM

Definitely, an in your face shot, very different, I like this alot. Well done Scott.
John

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on October 16, 2012 at 10:22 AM

Definitely says OMG very loudly! The action shows nicely in the small version, but the detail in the foreground waves seen in the larger version is a great addition. It's a great image and works really well in b&w.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Joana Roncero on October 16, 2012 at 1:17 PM

When I saw the thumbnail, before reading your comment, I thought that your camera got soaked and you were crazy taking this risk. Is that enough for you to be sure that the picture captures the energy of the moment?
Congratulations

Registered on August 27, 2012, 17 Posts, 70 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on October 17, 2012 at 1:42 AM

Feels like I'm right there!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on October 17, 2012 at 11:00 AM

The wave action being funneled through those two rock faces on both sides of this scene really ramps up the intensity , Scott. Great choice on the B&W call, BTW.

Ed

Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 17, 2012 at 1:18 PM

Nice action shot Scott. It certainly captures and portrays the action & thrill of the moment. Excellent B&W conversion too.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laureys on October 17, 2012 at 5:26 PM

Excellent shot, excellent conversion

Registered on January 5, 2008, 590 Posts, 1261 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on October 17, 2012 at 6:12 PM

UH-OH!! Lucky you. Getting the photo and staying safe, only wet. Don'ya know flirting with Mother Nature is dangerous?!

If you insist... on rating the ENERGY of that precarious moment: yes it's there, but perhaps try a bit slower shutter speed so the fg water is more streaked and blurred. I mean, if you have the time to think about it and really are going to try this again. GEEZ!

Edit: And btw, it's just AWESOME as is!!

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments