The setting sun at Tenby Point beach, Western Port Bay.
On this occasion the tide was so high that the water’s edge was all the way up to the vegetation line so there wasn’t much opportunity to explore the beach. We could only walk a few short metres to the left of the access stairs and no further.
Fortunately though it was still possible to catch a glimpse of the setting sun from this position.
Following are a couple of long exposure images from Montforts Beach taken at first light on a cloudy grey dawn. You can access Montforts Beach by parking at the Spray Point Road carpark and following the sandy walking track south. Montforts Beach is signposted along the track. It’s also well worthwhile visiting Spray Point while you’re here.
Tech stuff for the image below- 5 sec, f/11, ISO50.
Technical stuff for the image below – 2.5 secs, f/18, ISO50.
Another sunrise expedition to the groynes at Balnarring Beach on Western Port Bay. This time we visited the straight groynes on the beach near the general store.
The image above was shot just before the sun broke through the clouds on the horizon. It’s a 2 second exposure, slightly smoothing the surface details in the water.
Pictured above – A short exposure as the sun breaks through the clouds. I liked the way the reflected sun rays were glinting off the waves and the foreground sand.
Pictured above – As the sun rises higher in the sky, one of the groynes becomes beautifully side lit by the warming rays. This is a short exposure (1/20 sec f/18 iso100) shot with the camera way down low almost resting on the sand.
Pictured above – Friend Jason preparing for his next shot as the sky lights up.
A long exposure sunrise image from Sullivan Bay, Sorrento, on the Mornington Peninsula. The iconic jetty has recently started to fall to bits. I suspect she wont be around much longer.
Tenby Point is a coastal village sitting on the eastern side of Western Port Bay, about half way between Grantville and Corinella. The jetty remnants are best visited near high tide when water surrounds the base of the posts. When the tide recedes here it goes WAY out leaving the posts sitting in an unattractive bed of mud.
Tech stuff for the image below – 260 secs at f/13, ND400 + ND8 filters.
Tech stuff for the image below – 205 secs at f/14, ND400 + ND8 filters.
Last weekend we had our ND group excursion for beginners. It was a great turnout with lots of enthusiastic people attending. We started shooting at Bridgewater Bay in Sorrento in very difficult conditions with the wind blowing a continuous mist of fine rain onto our lenses. I was both surprised and delighted that so many people stayed and had the patience to put up with these conditions, …..such a dedicated bunch. 🙂 Many thanks to Jason Cincotta and Michael Stringer for assisting with so many ND newcomers.
Later we moved onto the front beaches at Point King, Sorrento, followed by Shelley beach, Portsea , both providing us with much more friendly shooting conditions.
Pictured below – Point King jetty. Tech stuff – 132 secs f/18.
For those unfamiliar with groynes, a groyne is a low wall or timber barrier built out into the sea from a beach to prevent erosion.
On a previous visit to photograph this groyne the tide was unexpectedly low and yielded images that weren’t quite what we were looking for. This time I made sure to arrive at peak high tide and waited for the tide to recede and reveal just enough of the groyne to catch these images.
A local resident told me that the zig-zagging planks aren’t always visible and that they’re sometimes completely covered by sand with only the posts exposed.
For those who might be interested in photographing the groyne, it’s easily accessible. Park at the end of Seawind Rd, Balnarring Beach. It’s a short walk down to the beach then turn right.
Tech stuff – 25 secs @ f/9 using a 10 stop solid + 4 stop soft ND grad + polarizer.
Tech stuff for the image below – 13 secs f/9, NiSi 10 stop solid + 4 stop soft grad + polarizer.
An early morning sunrise shot from Flinders Yacht Club on the Mornington Peninsula. The location is easily accessible, just a short walk south from the Flinders pier carpark.
Pictured below, a pre-dawn long exposure shot from Bridgewater Bay in Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsula.
Bridgewater Bay is accessible via a short walk from the carpark at the southern end of St Johns Wood Rd. Beach access is via a set of stairs. The best time to visit is at or near low tide when the rock platforms are exposed. Navigating the beach at high tide is problematic.
Tech stuff – 30 secs @ f/11
Pictured below, me shooting the bridge rock formation. Photo courtesy of friend Jason.
Pictured below, a couple of long exposure images of the jetty remnants at Cat Bay on Phillip Island.
Cat Bay is located close to the western tip of Phillip Island, near the Nobbies Tourist Centre. The beach is home for several species of birds including penguins. Penguin burrows can be found scattered all over the sandy dune areas just back a bit from the high tide line.
* Note: …..no those aren’t penguins sitting on the old jetty in the photos. 🙂
Tech info for the above image – 3.2 secs f/10 with an ND400 filter.
Tech info for the above image – 13 sec f/16 with an ND400 filter.
October is a wonderful time on the back beaches of the Mornington Peninsula. The rock platforms are transformed by a thriving carpet of lush greenery that’s only visible near low tide. The photos below were taken at the Bay of Islands, Sorrento, but similar sights can be found all along the Mornington Peninsula back beaches at this time of year.
To get to the Bay of Islands park at the end of Diamond Bay Road. The walking track to the observation point is short and well signposted. Jump the fence and climb down the well worn path to reach the beach. 🙂
Tech info for the photo below – 30 sec f/8 ND400 filter.
Tech info for the photo below – 30 secs f/7.1 ND400 filter
Tech info for the photo below – 30 secs f/10 ND400 filter
Photography by Jim Worrall 