Thursday, February 19, 2009

A Nice Day by the Ocean (part four)

Getting to the fun part now - almost sunset, but a little darker than it would normally be due to the heavy cloud cover.  No complaints though, since a dark, ominous sky is often the ideal for this kind of scene.  If any, my gripe would be that the weather is too nice around here most of the time. The slight crack right on the horizon allowing some color to come through really makes it for me, whereas if it was all dark gray it wouldn't have been nearly as interesting. I guess I could have chosen an even longer exposure and completely softened out the ocean, but kind of like seeing a little shape left in the waves.
I've shot this area late in the day many times, but there are so many possible variables with the tide, waves, weather, etc., that it always ends up looking completely different.

14 comments:

Ashrays said...

I agree with seeing a little shape in the sea.

I perhaps overdo the soft-sea look at the moment as I have only been able to do them for about a month. But once I get over the excitement and the newness off it all I'll need to add the same subtlety to my shots.

ps your thoughts behind your pic's are very helpful cheers.

Mark Alan Meader said...

Hi Mook... you can also push it to the other extreme where the water basically disappears and looks like a cloud(at least when the water is moving a fair amount). There's really no right or wrong and it always pays to experiment; even if you screw it up at least you won't get bored! I think your results are quite good so far.

betchai said...

wow, what beautiful capture, really breathtaking. i have been wanting to comment here but did not know how, now I am able solve that problem by remembering I actually have a goodgle account, all I did was to ask them for my password :)

Anyway, I agree with you, this part of the ocean just give us so many possibilities, each time different. I really admire your shot though, i think i like it that way, soft but you still show the shape of the waves and how strong they are.

thanks for the comment you left in my California blog.

VanillaSeven said...

very nice capture!
I love the sky colors, so peaceful, calm, yet misterious

roentare said...

The sunset colour in the distance is incredible in deed!

Unknown said...

Very nice colors in the sky Mark.

I think the moving waves are perfect here. Long exposures can give some beautiful mirrors oy silky waters when the sea is not too strong but i've also expermiented that it can give some strange things whith big waves.
Of course experimentation is always a good thing :)

Mark Alan Meader said...

Thanks, Betchai. I like to watch your blog because we obviously get to a lot of the same places. BTW, you don't need a Google account to comment. The "Open ID" button covers Wordpress, Typepad and I think any email address will work(have to try that).

Vanilla, James, Patrick: Thanks - and happy shooting for the weekend. I have to go and shovel snow at our place in the mountains. I'm afraid to see how much is there right now. :(

storybeader said...

looks like storm clouds to me... beautiful breaking wave!

roentare said...

Mark, Australia is suffering severe drought. Even I am a waterscape kind of person, I could not find water in any of the creeks anymore.

I really envy your image here. Did you use any neutral density filter?

Amy Lilley Designs said...

This is so gorgeous...very ethereal..almost 'other worldly'...amazing!!!

Brooke said...

absolutely stunning photographs! i am drawn to pictures of the ocean probably because i'm no where near one! lol (im in ohio) thanks for sharing :)

Mark Alan Meader said...

James: No ND, just a circular polarizer, which kind of serves the same purpose at this time of day. I of course knew that the fires down there had devastated some natural areas and parks; guess I haven't heard much about the general drought behind them. We have a similar situation here in the western US; the snow pack is way low in the Sierras and they are talking about cutting off water to the farmers in the central California valley this year which will affect many, many people. Nature is a constantly changing and challenging subject, which is why we work so hard to capture it, right?

Storybeader: Hi! Yes, between two storms actually.

Amy: Thanks so much again.. always appreciate your thoughts and opinion.

Brooke: Everyone seems to have an innate love of the ocean! There are many great places in the middle of the country, but I feel comfortable living near the ocean; don't know how long I would last away from it.

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful image. You captured lots of interesting elements in the frame, the sky with those great clouds, the huge waves, the stones, the reflection of the sky in the water and the bigger stones near the camera.

Artist Victoria O'Neill said...

i grew up with the ocean within walking distance, but not for the past 25 years....i miss it. you made me feel like i was there again..thank you.