A few thoughts from tonight’s shoot:
September continues to prove itself a great month for photographs.
It’s not my wish to distract too much attention from this photograph with words, but wow. Just when tonight’s sunset seemed it would fizzle a light show exploded upon the imposing cloud deck that was back-building off the ocean. I had an entirely different shot dialed in—one facing toward the setting sun. And as much as I liked said composition it became impossible to ignore the drama happening off to the south and east. Knowing I’d be short on light, I composed a frame from the same spot and began bracketing.
Considering there was such a sky show, I’d have liked to be over the flat marsh without any obstruction, bringing all the focus to the intricate pastel washed cloud patterns. But I had to work with what I had. I’m still pretty pleased for working in a pinch, and I’m very pleased I was out shooting tonight and able to bear witness.
I’m not one to usually post numerous treatments of the same photograph, but I thought it made sense here for comparison’s sake. But the more I think about it now, I’m beginning to prefer the color treatment over the black and white I posted previously.
For months now I’ve had my eye on an ND filter. I’ve been coveting the sublime long exposure work of talented fine art photographers and hoped to someday begin learning their craft and working it into my repertoire. After a bit of research—and some savings—I figured out everything I’d need to get a filter mounted on my convex 14mm wide angle lens. A simple threaded filter on a flat lens was not an option for me.
Today it all came together. My filter mount, adapter, and 10-stop ND filter were finally off of the internet and into my hands. After a brief period of test setup in my house, I figured out how the system would work, repacked my camera bag due to new found size constraints, and headed out to Great Bay Boulevard for my first round of experimentation. My buddy Jeff was hip to come along which was key this time out as having an extra pair of hands proved helpful—sliding 6.5″ by 6.5″ filter plate into position while trying not to smudge any of the resin filter is quite a task. I probably will invest in some linen gloves in the future.
The picture about was taken (started) about 5 minutes after sundown and was an open shutter for a total of 300 seconds—that’s 5 minutes for those scoring at home. I can’t wait to get back out and try again tomorrow!
Yesterday photography happened by dawn, dusk, and night. By the time the evening rolled around my friends and I were hoping to head into the Pinelands for some astrophotography at Bodine Field. By the time it came time to head out a quick look skyward to us all we needed to know—we were clouded out.
Plan B.
And nothing sounds more official than a Plan B.
We quickly readjusted focus and turned our destination toward Great Bay Boulevard. We had designs on incorporating Atlantic City and the brooding clouds into our shots. I only made a few exposures and when I cam home to process I decided pretty early on that I wanted go black and white. A nice moody monochrome, dark and evocative. I’m happy with the result.
As for the title, Black stars rise, this is an homage to my new favorite obsession, HBO’s True Detective. Fantastic stuff that has my mind running.
It’s time, isn’t it? The black star. Black stars rise. I know what happens next. I saw you in my dream. You’re in Carcosa now, with me. He sees you. You’ll do this again. Time is a flat circle.
Yesterday—this being posted a day late—was shaping up as one of those sunsets that look good on paper. A quick look out the window 90 minutes prior to the sun’s scheduled egress looked promising; bountiful clouds with dramatic bottom-side shadows littered the sky. I was pleased. Yet as it has done so many times before, the fickle clouds made their final escape no less than a half hour prior to sundown, leaving a blank canvas of deepening blue sky.
Disappointed? Maybe a little. But I still liked what I saw. I had a suspicion my location and the clear sky color gradient would make for a more than serviceable black and white. After a few test shots trying to make something out of nothing I abandoned the tripod and took the camera in my hands. Occasionally I do this thing in the fading light where I move my hands across the horizon from left to right as a lazy shutter—1/15 of a second in this case—makes its exposure. This creates a softened blur that if you’re lucky enough evokes its own kind of whimsy.
First things first—I’m not in love with this shot. I’m not even sure I like it. I made my way to Great Bay Boulevard with a specific location and an already framed shot in mind. You see, I had already conceived a shot on my during my last trip to Great Bay Boulevard; only I was clouded out and unable to shoot. It was this that setup I had in mind with tonight’s more favorable sky conditions in mind. All of this is notable considering I seldom do much active mental planning regarding my shots. While I often revisit familiar places, I try to let the moment dictate the composition.
When I arrived on scene I immediately knew I was hosed. A floating dock had rammed its way up the boat ramp—the spot I was already planning to setup shop. None of this was surprising considering the powerful Nor’easter that blew through here yesterday. I should have expected as much.
What you see above is Plan B. And a haphazard plan at best. I don’t think I spent enough time finding the best composition at my location. More scouting will be required in the future. Nevertheless the sky colors did not disappoint, and it just felt good to be back out shooting again. It had been five days and I was getting stir crazy. Especially with all the potential snow my area just missed out on.
Related to this evening’s photos shoot, I ran into a fellow sunset chaser. He was a Nikon shooter and I didn’t catch his name, but he was out taking in the departing sun as well. As we were both wrapping up he took note of the still unseen-to-me rising full moon over the marshland that was previously at our backs. Once I fixed my gaze I was instantly transfixed. Alas I have no telephoto. Fortunately he did and here’s to hoping he got off a great shot.
Since I was already down in Little Egg Harbor visiting with friends today, Great Bay Boulevard always hung in the back of my mind as the likely landing spot for tonight’s obligatory sunset chasing. I say obligatory if only because a) it’s a Saturday in winter—rending me home from work—and b) the setup looked favorable all day.
We found our general area and I began investigating as to where I’d eventually plant myself and my tripod. While meandering about the shoreline excellent light was holding sway out over the marsh and my mood was good. This is always a favorite part of the experience for me—framing the shot and appreciating the waning light of day. Always take a moment to step back from the viewfinder to take it all in.
I positioned myself precariously on some loose fitting jetty rock, or some facsimile of a lesser jetty rock. Regardless, it felt like a twisted ankle waiting to happen but served up the best view angle as far as I was concerned. Potential falls be damned, I set up the camera and tripod and began making the above photograph. It’s a composite of seven exposures later merged for processing in Photomatix Pro and Lightroom. I hope you enjoy.
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I once was a blogger and now I blog again—only this time with photographs.
I’d say for the past month or so I’ve been putting slightly more than a passing thought to having my own website once again. In a past life moonlighting as a web designer, I did a lot of blog and design works with friends. We had a blast. Our digital couch moved from Atlas Editorials to Babeled to Nuclear Fissionary; my friends and I took our passions, opinions, and occasional sarcasm to the blogs. It is now that I take my photographs to this space.
Starting back with my 365 photo project (366 as it was a Leap Year) that began on January 1, 2012, I’ve embarked on a most unexpected journey. A trek that has taken me from beleaguered photographic neophyte, to a serviceable photog with a passion for landscape and macro photography. Of late, wide angle work has really captured my interest and gets the bulk of my attention—this site should somewhat reflect that addiction. But who knows how my photographic interests will evolve from here?
The plan for now is to post various photographs to this site offering insights and explanations into what my mind is seeing. Photography has moved and relaxed me, and I hope you can find a small piece of solace to enjoy while you visit.