Fort Foster surf

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 3, 201817,014 views8 comments

During our recent stay in Portsmouth NH, I found the coastline of Fort Foster (Kittery, ME) very attractive. On this morning, there was light fog obscuring distant views, but the soft light let the details in the rocks show well. For this slowed view of a wave breaking into a tidal pool, I added a 4 stop ND filter and a polarizer. Given the very limited color spectrum, this also looks good in b&w, but I prefer the subtle blue/green in the water. (5D3, 24-105 F4 IS II @ 24 mm, 0.3 s, f/16, iso 100, tripod and cable release)

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Stephen Stanton on August 3, 2018 at 2:21 PM

I like your shot of the wave finding its final resting spot in the little cove, Mark. The slow break is dominant and the image is well balanced overall. I think the shutter speed is perfect for the breaking wave, some good soft details in the flow and I also like the rocks in the foreground. I might try darkening the contrast in the fog bank background and ocean, letting the wave highlights filling the cove carry the image.

Registered on March 1, 2015, 54 Posts, 453 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on August 3, 2018 at 3:04 PM

This is nice. Great SS to capture the wave patterns. I might play around with a B&W conversion also.

Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on August 3, 2018 at 5:04 PM

You caught the wave action perfectly in this little cove. I'm sure this would make an outstanding b/w image, but the subtle color palette also works quite well. For some reason, I wish there was a bit more canvas on the right side, but I can see your lens was as wide as it could go. Nicely done, Mark.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on August 4, 2018 at 9:16 AM

Mark, the blurring of the wave in this one is an interesting perspective and take on this scene. With the rest of the water and the coastline of rocks all being stationary the blur in the center is an immediate draw for me. I do think the fog aids in retaining our attention in the near ground here and works well as such. I'm sure the b&w treatment will also work, but like you I enjoy the varying muted color to the image overall.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Lowe on August 4, 2018 at 11:32 AM

Everything looks real nice in the large version, Mark. Your SS choice captured some wonderful details in the water and the BG fog helps to hold the viewer's attention in this little beautiful cove. I think a B&W would also be interesting, but I do not think you can go wrong with either version. To bad you did not have a 20 with you to get a little more on the right side. Beautiful image.

Ed

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on August 4, 2018 at 4:32 PM

Great color and detail in the fore rocks, making for a fine frame for the tiny bay. I might darken the land on the horizon a bit to provide some contrast and detail for eye as it moves to the back of the image. This turned out quite nice.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 8, 2018 at 6:38 PM

Very nice, Mark! This comp works great with the rocks surrounding that nice water motion. The detail, texture and color in the rocks looks really nice. Your 0.3 sec exposure worked out great for the water! cool

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

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

Comment posted by Anil Rao on August 14, 2018 at 3:39 PM

The water action of the breaking waves in the small cove really makes this image. I love how your composition shows the separation between the secluded cove and the open waters in the background.

As you know, I do most of my photography in similar locations (along the Northern California coast) and this photograph therefore resonates with me very strongly.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments