This is a shot from last September that I have been on the fence about since, well, September. It was a pretty typical Oregon Coast evening with clouds that were lining up for a pretty decent sunset, when just at the last minute the marine layer rolled in and snuffed out the sunset before it even began. I decided to try stacking some ND's just for fun, and as I was about 1 minute into a 4 minute exposure, the sky lit up far off to my right. I didn't want to ruin my exposure; so I let it go for the duration. I was able to get some decent color, but the action out of frame was much better. I guess that's why I'm iffy on this one. There were much better photos to be had looking the other way- and I missed 'em. And by the time 4 minutes was up, the light was gone again for good.
What do you think? I feel like it needs a crop or something. Maybe a trip to the recycle bin? I'm open to all suggestions.
Posted by Jack Garrett on January 15, 2009 at 12:29 AM
You got my vote for an excellent image...nice soft pallet, nice color on the rock ledge and smooth silky water....Id hang this one for sure!
Jack
Posted by Rylan Schoen on January 15, 2009 at 2:36 AM
I'm going to agree with Jack, I really like this. Although there is a lot of space off to the right, I think the incredible colors trump any need for cropping.
Posted by Sean Bagshaw on January 15, 2009 at 5:27 PM
It's a keeper. The color and cloud lines make the sky quite a bit different, even if the coastline is familiar. Very other-worldly. Love it.
Posted by Erik Lundh on January 15, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Nice pastels and exposure. I would love to have this in my portfolio. Excellent!
Thanks guys. I'm putting together a collection of some of my surrealistic, long exposure photos for a project that I'm working on. I need to weed out the weak ones so any crits are appreciated. I've found that these kind of shots get a lot of oohs and ahhs, but not too many people are willing to put them on their walls- for whatever reason.
And by the way, I come out here all of the time. It's a close, after work spot that is pretty flexible for different weather conditions. Those two trees out on the point are a favorite subject of mine, but they are losing the battle to the sea- big time. I'd be amazed if the one on the right makes it through the year. I keep expecting to pop out on the cliff one day to see it upside down.
Posted by Marc Adamus on January 16, 2009 at 11:09 AM
I have a very similar shot from here taken in almost identical conditions except using a foreground rock to anchor the scene. What's missing for me is that anchor, and depth here. It's a very open image with attention split at opposite sides. My eye stays with the water areas a bit too long. Not a poor effort by any means, but if I had to critique anything it would be the large amounts of empty space.
Discussion
7 repliesWhat do you think? I feel like it needs a crop or something. Maybe a trip to the recycle bin? I'm open to all suggestions.
40D
13 stops of ND for 4 minutes
f/9
iso100
Jack
And by the way, I come out here all of the time. It's a close, after work spot that is pretty flexible for different weather conditions. Those two trees out on the point are a favorite subject of mine, but they are losing the battle to the sea- big time. I'd be amazed if the one on the right makes it through the year. I keep expecting to pop out on the cliff one day to see it upside down.