Varying the mood: ocean storm, Kipahulu
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The weather system that produced interesting clouds over the crater summit continued to hang over the coast. I was hoping to do some night photography, but when I got up two hours before sunrise, it was pitch dark, with the stars totally obscured by dense cloud cover.
I crawled down to the beach and set up the camera. In contrast with my previous visit in more sunny conditions, the mood was definitively dark. Nature changed this for a few minutes, when the sun unexpectedly appeared through a tiny hole in the clouds. For this composition, I emphasized context by including the coastline and some rock ribs that echoed it.
Independently from conditions, I was also able to change the mood just by varying the shutter speed with ND filters. A shutter speed of 20s (Lee Big Stopper 10 f-stop ND) transformed the powerful motion of ocean fury into a smooth surface, creating a dreamy and meditative image. The Lee also creates a blue color cast that I only partly correct, as I find a neutral color balance with a long exposure looks less natural. A shorter exposure time of 1/6s (Hi Tech 4 f-stop ND) creates a dynamic image more faithful to the awesome power of the ocean on that morning, with enough blurring to convey a sense of motion. The composition concentrates more on elements, the open ocean, rocks and pattern of receding water chosen for their symmetry.
That’s a lot of variation in character with just a few changes. Which of the two compositions do you prefer and why ? Which variations within each compositions ?
A side note of warning so that you won’t make the same costly mistake that I did. Sleepy from the early rising, I had forgotten to take plastic bags to shield the Canon 5D mark2 from the constant spray of the waves, but assumed it would be OK. Subsequently, I noticed the autofocus loosing its reliability, and some controls getting a bit sticky, although the camera appeared to be working fine. After returning home, and sending the camera and lens (24-105) to CPS, I was shocked to receive a repair bill of $800 (after 30% discount). The 5D is definitively no 1D series when it comes to sealing.
More images of Haleakala National Park
For me, “coastline no sun” or “open ocean, short exposure”
The other ones remind me of a motivional poster, which probably indicates that “coastline, sun” is probably likely the most popular shot. The others have a darker, brooding mood, which I think makes superior photography, but perhaps inferior sales 🙂
First set: I like both, but the glare from the sun washes out the image a but, so my vote is for no sun.
Second set: While I love long-exposure images, the dreaminess factor in the last shot is somewhat negated by the strong storm clouds, which work very nicely with the shorter exposure. I also like the higher contrast in the short-exposure version.
I love them all, but to pick 2, they’ll be the 1st and 3th. I like 1st the most. The one with the sun is a bit distract. The contrast and composition of 3rd is my vote, also, I love how the light relects on the waves on the upper left. They both are very dramatic. They remind me about Russian artist’s seascape paintings (the colelction as post cards) I saw when I was little (I don’t remember his name).