Fine Art Photography Techniques: Sunday's Snap Shot Tech

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This weeks Sunday Snapshot Tech is another frame from a recent photo shoot on the shores of Long boat Key, Florida.  This Gulf coastline is located near Bradenton, about 40 miles South of Tampa.  As a family we have been visiting here for 20 plus years.    Anne and me took a stroll after enjoying a fine meal in Sarasota; the sun dipped below the horizon, the washing and rolling of the agitated surf; after all these years, each time we visit, it is like the first.

Lewin at work Photo by Anne Lewin

Several frames were shot to capture the waves at different positions – I choose this frame with the water completely covering the beach – it conveyed the vastness of the ocean from this vantage point on the beach – the frame illustrates my feelings, my interpretation of what I saw, felt, heard and smelled.   

Photo Tech:

My 70-200mm is already mounted to the tripod, the spiked feet extended to grab hold of the damp sand – I spend a few moments scanning the view – the horizon – for a composition.

After I pick my location it is crucial the horizon is straight through the viewfinder; we know trying to “straighten” an image file in post production will interfere – alter- the quality.  So, we always strive to capture the scene the best we can from behind the viewfinder.

The lens was zoomed to 70mm, the aperture closed-down to f/20, for deep depth of field, (DoF), and most unusual, an 800 ISO value, not to help capture the scene in low light, but as an experiment to add digital noise, (film-grain, if you will), to the picture.  I triggered the shutter via an electronic device to help reduce camera shake during the slow shutter speed required to capture this image.  (A big thank you to my wife, Anne, for capturing me at work; photo of me snapped about 20 minutes before the featured image discussed in this blog entry was captured.)  

Here is the complete list of specs for the above image file:

ISO 800

F/20

Speed = ¼ second

+2/3 exposure compensation

Post Production:

The color image file was adjusted for brightness; a small amount of dodge & burn was applied to the background waves, (I left the drift wood as is).  The BW conversion included a modified blue filter and Cyanotype color dip.  For effect, I added the burnt frame.  If printed, the digital burnt frame will be replaced for either a real burnt edge print or none at all.

The final image shows softness due in part to the slow shutter speed in combination with a little digital noise from using ISO 800.  I hope you like this image and be sure to try this type of shot next time you are on the beach – contact me with your questions.  Have a great day!

Best regards,

Lance