Long-ish Exposures

EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
edited March 8, 2014 in Landscapes
So, jumping on the bandwagon and into the very interesting threads and discussion of Long Exposure, here's a couple of mine - Windansea Beach in San Diego.
When shooting water, I like to keep a sense of texture and motion so my exposure times are relatively short compared to the 30+ sec. examples.
Both techniques yield beautiful results, it's just that I learned from a mentor that preferred the approx. 0.5 to 4 sec. range.

60D ~ 17-40mm f4L ~ 17(27 eqv)mm @ f22 ~ ISO 100 ~ 0.8 sec ~ ND8 + 25%GND filters ~ LR5
Windansea-46-XL.jpg


0.5 sec.
Windansea-41-XL.jpg
Eric ~ Smugmug

Comments

  • lifeinfocuslifeinfocus Registered Users Posts: 1,461 Major grins
    edited March 4, 2014
    #1 - like the blurred water effect and #2 same plus the foreground detail. #1 is my favorite of the two.

    Sorry to say I have not tried ND nor GND filters. May I ask are you using two filters at the same time?

    Thanks
    http://www.PhilsImaging.com
    "You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
    Phil
  • anonymouscubananonymouscuban Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 4,586 Major grins
    edited March 4, 2014
    Love the second shot. I think you captured the motion well. I'm on a long exposure kick right now, being that I just got my 10-stop filter.

    Eventually I will get past the novelty and only use it when the scene calls for it. However, until then, it's super-duper-milky-misty-heavenly shots for me. rolleyes1.gif
    "I'm not yelling. I'm Cuban. That's how we talk."

    Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums

    My Smug Site
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited March 4, 2014
    lifeinfocus wrote: »
    #1 - like the blurred water effect and #2 same plus the foreground detail. #1 is my favorite of the two.

    Sorry to say I have not tried ND nor GND filters. May I ask are you using two filters at the same time?

    Thanks
    Thanks much for the feedback Phil.
    Yes, I am using threaded filters here... which can be problematic when stacked - vignetting, distortion, etc. are possible.
    Results vary, depending on lens model and focal length, quality, number and order of filters (2 is usually not a problem), however,
    using slim-mount filters helps with these problems - I manage to stuff the circular polarizer in there too sometimes, with decent results.
    Give it a try - it's challenging, fun, and rewarding when you're surprised with a cool image - you never quite know what you've got 'til processing time.
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited March 4, 2014
    anonymouscuban wrote: »
    Love the second shot. I think you captured the motion well. I'm on a long exposure kick right now, being that I just got my 10-stop filter.

    Eventually I will get past the novelty and only use it when the scene calls for it. However, until then, it's super-duper-milky-misty-heavenly shots for me. rolleyes1.gif
    Thanks Alex...
    imo, the long exposure technique is fairly resistant to the novelty pitfall - unlike HDR, which - when noticeable - gets pretty poor reviews these days.
    When all the other elements of a desirable image are present, adding the "super-duper-milky-misty-heavenly" effect still seems to resonate with many viewers.
    Have fun man, and stay afloat!
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited March 4, 2014
    My 2 cents my friend....

    First one has components adding up to a leading-line effect and drawing my attention to light penetrating from the sky.....
    Second one has nice milk fountain affect...

    I would have liked something more grand though......or dream like state.....or something gnarly......something that makes you wonder......etc etc. Cheers!
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited March 5, 2014
    Stumblebum wrote: »

    I would have liked something more grand though......or dream like state.....or something gnarly......something that makes you wonder......etc etc. Cheers!

    Thanks for the feedback Taz... always appreciated, and sometimes worth up to 3 cents... lol3.gif j/k !!

    I understand your preferences and can agree to the extent that they are very subjective (define grandeur) and would argue that if you study the foreground of #1, you might find some "dreamy".
    These are certainly not the the finest examples of this technique to be seen (the sky was unremarkable that evening),
    just some examples for the sake of discussion - I have a friend/mentor who's work will actually bend your mind... truly humbling.

    Gnarly is probably tangible... maybe this one will be more so? :D
    Windansea-XL.jpg
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited March 5, 2014
    Your technique is superb so if you see it, you capture it! I llike the first one very much! The symmetry, the dramatic effect, leading lines and highlights are all great.....just looking for more bigness.... Last one you posted is pretty awesomethumb.gifthumb as well! love the brightness and details that are present and nothing is lost despite being bit one tone! Something joyous about last one! Shoot more! Cheers!
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited March 5, 2014
    Stumblebum wrote: »
    .....Shoot more! Cheers!

    This is good advice Taz... the key to learning and growth for all of us... I know I gots lots to learn!
    It also helps to study the work of masterful photographers - so, please, please, check-out this artist:

    http://www.scapeshots.com/

    imo, this is how to do it!
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited March 5, 2014
    Earache wrote: »
    This is good advice Taz... the key to learning and growth for all of us... I know I gots lots to learn!
    It also helps to study the work of masterful photographers - so, please, please, check-out this artist:

    http://www.scapeshots.com/

    imo, this is how to do it!

    Thanks Eric! No one is more enthusiastic about learning than me so every time I pick up bits and pieces of knowledge, I celebrate.

    I checked out the site......its okay......nothing jaw dropping or something WE can't handle. What I see in most of the scape-shots is color in sky, some reflection, some milky water in foreground......no unique POVs.......challenge it so create more impact....produce what is NOT obvious......evoke emotions......urge to be there.....JMO! Cheers!
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited March 5, 2014
    Stumblebum wrote: »
    I checked out the site......its okay......nothing jaw dropping or something WE can't handle. What I see in most of the scape-shots is color in sky, some reflection, some milky water in foreground......no unique POVs.......challenge it so create more impact....produce what is NOT obvious......evoke emotions......urge to be there.....JMO! Cheers!

    Owing to the fact that appreciation for most forms of art and media is highly subjective, I can understand if this work does not strike you... but I could not disagree more.
    I think you have identified some worthwhile objectives for the photographer, but the path there, and the measure of success is, again, often individual, subjective, and can be shared by many/most, but of course, not all - that's the nature of the beast.

    Also, please don't include me in the WE - I am but a pimple on the butt of actual *good* photographers. rolleyes1.gif
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited March 5, 2014
    Earache wrote: »
    Owing to the fact that appreciation for most forms of art and media is highly subjective, I can understand if this work does not strike you... but I could not disagree more.
    I think you have identified some worthwhile objectives for the photographer, but the path there, and the measure of success is, again, often individual, subjective, and can be shared by many/most, but of course, not all - that's the nature of the beast.

    Also, please don't include me in the WE - I am but a pimple on the butt of actual *good* photographers. rolleyes1.gif

    I am waiting to graduate to pimple hood!
  • kridpicskridpics Registered Users Posts: 6 Beginner grinner
    edited March 5, 2014
    You might wanna try how your photos look in black and white. I could imagine that you can get some really nice ones when increasing the contrast a bit in the conversion.
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited March 5, 2014
    kridpics wrote: »
    You might wanna try how your photos look in black and white. I could imagine that you can get some really nice ones when increasing the contrast a bit in the conversion.
    Good suggestion kridpics, and worth a try for the analysis and discussion...
    Here's a stab at #1 - I slapped it around pretty hard with LR5 trying to get the contrast up...
    My reaction is, that it's not un-pleasant (I like B&W a lot anyway), however, I think the distinction
    (what little there was) between sea and sky is lost due to the blandness and tonal similarity of the sky.
    Overall I think I prefer the color version for the above reason and the pastel color effect... what do you think?
    Windansea-B%26W-XL.jpg
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • CornflakeCornflake Registered Users Posts: 3,346 Major grins
    edited March 5, 2014
    Beautiful shots, Eric. I actually prefer the milky look you dislike, but I'd hate it if everyone shared my tastes.
    Don
    Gallery: http://cornflakeaz.smugmug.com/
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited March 6, 2014
    Cornflake wrote: »
    Beautiful shots, Eric. I actually prefer the milky look you dislike, but I'd hate it if everyone shared my tastes.

    Hi Don,
    Thanks so much for weighing-in... being a bit familiar with your work, and liking it a lot, I trust your eye
    and your taste... you made me take another look and find that potential. Cheers to AZ!
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited March 7, 2014
    Eric, these are AWESOME!!! Exposure length is just right to capture the movement of the water. Great job on all of these. clap.gifclap.gif
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2014
    kdog wrote: »
    Eric, these are AWESOME!!! Exposure length is just right to capture the movement of the water. Great job on all of these. clap.gifclap.gif
    Thanks very much for the like Joel!
    You da' man in landscapes, so, it's very nice to catch your eye... bowdown.gif
    So, I guess I won't pawn my kit this week... :lol
    Cheers!
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • CornflakeCornflake Registered Users Posts: 3,346 Major grins
    edited March 7, 2014
    Eric, belatedly, there's some wonderful work here.
    Don
    Gallery: http://cornflakeaz.smugmug.com/
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2014
    Cornflake wrote: »
    Eric, belatedly, there's some wonderful work here.
    Thank-you Don - glad they're pleasing for you, and I appreciate your comments!
    Eric ~ Smugmug
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