Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III__EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM__10.0 sec at f / 32__ISO 100
Here is another pier photograph from La Jolla. This was my first session photographing the pier, and my previous post was taken at sunset on the same day. For this image, I used my Singh Ray Vari-ND filter to extend the length of the exposure. I waited for a wave to wash up near my tripod, and then watched for the reflection to develop as the surf pulled back.
Let me know your thoughts on this image, and which Scripts Pier image you like the best. I prefer the sunset image, but still love them both!
Cheers, Bill
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November 30, 2010 at 6:05 PM
It’s a lovely image.
May 11, 2010 at 2:56 PM
Lou, thanks for the feedback!
May 11, 2010 at 1:16 PM
Hi Bill…I’ve been stalking you on Facebook for a while now, but wanted to comment on these shots. I love both of them, but the color of the sky in the first one really captivated me – what a beautiful image!
Thanks for your continued great posts! And like others, I appreciate the insight offered re: setting proper night exposure – looking forward to trying out this little trick.
Cheers,
Lou
May 5, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Thanks for your comments Tom. In a few weeks, the sun should be setting aligned with the “window.”
Send me some images of FB…
May 5, 2010 at 9:54 AM
Hi Bill,
These are amazing images! Sent you my version of the same captured at night. These images have prompted me to go back and try my luck during the morning hours, and using a similar long exposure method, in the evening, too. Lucky to live so close to an actual La Jolla ‘icon’, — the pier! Thanks again for sharing!
April 28, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Sunset. I love how the long exposures smooth things out. I’ve been using an 8-stop nd with polarizer now for a little while and it really makes me take a new look at some scenes that I would normally just use the polarizer on, getting 20-60 second exposures even during the day (overcast). I often shoot scenes both ways now, and almost always prefer the longer exposure with the nd. Probably just a phase, but it gives others something new to look at and enjoy, like yours…
April 29, 2010 at 8:10 PM
Good to hear from you!
April 22, 2010 at 4:33 PM
Thanks for the feedback!
April 20, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Hi Bill,
Both are graphically striking and I think the overall light is better in the sunset image but, I think the sunrise image has the edge.
For me the sunrise image has a wonderful shift that encompasses a great deal. The tone shifts from the light on sand with its striking reflection to sun on the water and wood. I find this change visually delightful, capturing the beauty of good light and a dramatic reflection with a wave softened by time but clearly visible. My eye emerges from the cool light beneath the pier into warm sunshine. The quality of the light and the blending from dramatic to familiar is very successful. I feel like I am standing right where you were and my eye just keeps exploring this photograph.
Great image!
-Travis
April 19, 2010 at 5:38 PM
Hi Bill I do like them both and the water here adds some additional interest. But if I had to pick one, I would pick the sunset version.
April 16, 2010 at 11:45 PM
This is absolutely stunning photograph. It definitely caught my attention.
April 16, 2010 at 11:00 PM
this is wonderful, very interesting combination of high-lit colors in the pier and movement in the water
April 16, 2010 at 9:58 AM
Thanks for the comments.
Bob, I didn’t know this trick, thanks!
April 15, 2010 at 6:06 PM
Bill:
I really like the first one. I love the complimentary tones in the colors and there is just a quiet reflective tone to the shot. And forgive me for giving the master a suggestion as you probably already know this but there is a good math trick for calculating the night exposure.
Set the camera to the highest ISO and open the lens to the wide open f-stop, with +1 exposure comp, no NR, and average meter mode, and shoot a test exposure. So for example an ISO of 3200 at f4.0 might render an exposure of 10 seconds on a night shot. Check the histogram and it should be pushed to the right. Take the 3200 and divide by you final ISO and multiply by the 10 seconds. So 3200/200 = 16 x 10= 160 seconds for the exposure. Turn on NR for the shot. It works great.
I apologize if you already know this.
Bob
April 15, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Hmmm, tough call but I think for me there is just something a little extra about the dynamics of the light playing across the pier and the movement in the water in this one. This one seems to just suggest something more playful is waiting for you just outside the image. Both are fantastic though.