Long exposure shots

Antonio Correia

Figueirinha beach, 7 kms far from Setúbal, Portugal.

I was using the 20 D with the 24-70 f/2.8 L USM + NDF + CPF in order to get a very slow exposure.
The camera was on a tripod and I was bare feet.
The tide was going down and I must recommend - if ever you want to shoot in a similar situation - that you must take a tower with you.
Some times the waves against the rocks make large splashes of water which come on ourselves and on the camera.
I had to take my t-shirt to wipe off the camera one time.
Better wrap the tripod feet in preservatives sealing the top with tape.
Be also aware that when standing the tripod on sand, it may move because of the waves.

The shots where I am were done but my wife with the 350 D.+ 16-35 mm

OsirisPhoto

Lovely shots, Antonio. The last one is my favourite.

Antonio Correia

Hyperbaric wrote:

Lovely shots, Antonio. The last one is my favourite.

borrowlenses.com

Good lookin...

What Tripod is that?

Antonio Correia

borrowlenses.com wrote:

Good lookin...

What Tripod is that?

Just a simple and too fragile for my taste Manfroto 728B digi
I should have bought a better one.
With a hook on the bottom. See what I mean ?

borrowlenses.com

Antonio Correia wrote:

Just a simple and too fragile for my taste Manfroto 728B digi
I should have bought a better one.
With a hook on the bottom. See what I mean ?

Yeah, but you still got really good pics using it, so can't complain too much, right?

Antonio Correia

borrowlenses.com wrote:

Yeah, but you still got really good pics using it, so can't complain too much, right?

Yes. I can't complain too much...
But sometimes I feel that the tripod is too fragile, for example when there is much wind ...

But I'll manage some how. I plan to get a 40 D far, far before a new tripod.
I have a nother tripod, some 40 years old, but in good conditions which I can use for the camera but I use for the flash.

Did I say 40 years ? Time passes ...

LiquidAir

Nice Antonio. Well done.

At least where I am, wind is also a major issue when shooting near the ocean. Here are a few of my tricks:

The lens can get misty very quickly when working near the water. I leave the lens cap on at all times except when framing and shooting.

In extreme conditions, I frame the shot and then take the camera off the tripod to clean the lens in a sheltered place. With the lens cap on, I put the camera back on the tripod. If I have done everything carefully, the tripod remembers the framing for me, so I can shoot as soon as I remove the lens cap.

Stabilizing the tripod for long exposures in the wind or waves is an art form. I am still looking for a technique which works reliably. With the technique I use now, only about 1 shot in 3 is critically sharp, but I have some ideas about how to to improve that. When I find something that works, I'll post about it.

Antonio Correia

Thank you Kenn. Thank you.

I have never shot under such harsh conditions.
Here, the weather was nice, there was no wind at all and the water was a little bit cold for my taste, as usual.


Sea water is very dangerous for the equipment but one idea could be an umbrella ! Yes. Why not ? The assistant would hold it and protect us from the sea water and the mist.

LiquidAir

Antonio Correia wrote:

Sea water is very dangerous for the equipment but one idea could be an umbrella ! Yes. Why not ? The assistant would hold it and protect us from the sea water and the mist.

When shooting near the surf or in the fog, the air is full of mist which is carried by the wind. Often there isn't really very much water; the problem is just that the mist collects on the lens creating a haze in the image. When things get really severe, I have a rain jacket that zips over my camera. It is a clear plastic pouch with 3 holes, one for each hand and one for the lens. Its not perfect protection, but it helps.