Daytime experiments with the ND400 filter.
The following long exposures were taken during daylight hours using an ND400 and ND8 filter stacked together on the front of my Sigma 10-20mm lens. The combination of these two filters attenuates so much light that peering into the viewfinder reveals an inky blackness even during bright daylight conditions.
It’s therefore necessary to compose the image BEFORE screwing the filters onto the lens. It’s also necessary to adjust the focus manually since the auto-focus system has no chance of working under such conditions.
*** (Update October 2012) The introduction of “live view” to many DSLR cameras means that is’s no longer necessary to compose and pre-focus with the dark filters off the lens. I shoot all the time now using live view to peer through the combined darkness of an ND400 and ND8. The filters now stay on the lens which means there is a lot less fiddling around. If you’re looking for a guide to show you how to use an ND400 have a look at my recent blog post here.***
I found that if I set the ISO as low as possible, and set the aperture very small (i.e. a high number), then it was possible to obtain a shutter duration of about 3 minutes. Such long exposures during daytime create some interesting images. I’m looking forward to experimenting more with the ND400.
An Evening at Spray Point, Blairgowrie.
The following images were taken on an evening excursion to Spray Point / Montforts beach, Blairgowrie.
I’m never really sure where one beach ends and the other begins. 🙂
Tidal Trickle (below) was taken just prior to the sun dropping below the horizon giving some nice pinks in the sky.
Friends and Fatalities (below) is a long exposure shot taken just after the sun had dropped below the horizon.
The extended exposure time makes the moving water take on a misty appearance and blurs the clouds whilst the foreground rocks remain in focus.
The Unpredicted (below) is a long exposure shot showing water flowing off the rock plateaus after sunset.
Despite the deceptively calm appearance of the image this is really a potentially treacherous area with unexpectedly large waves occasionally sweeping across the plateaus.
Swanning around Westernport Bay
Here are some more images taken at various places around Westernport Bay, Victoria, Australia.
It’s always a lot of fun shooting around here at low tide. The beaches feature a fine grain sticky mud that slowly tries to draw you beneath the surface. With each step that you take you risk losing your footwear. 🙂
Taking long exposures is certainly interesting as the tripod gradually sinks into the silt.
This is just the sort of place where you should take emergency pants in case you unexpectedly sit down in the mud.
The following image was taken at Crib Point beach.
This image Barnacle Build was shot at Balnarring beach.
The following image The Threat of Punishment was taken at Grantville beach. All of the ground in this shot is mud.
A Black and White Journey to Grantville Beach
The following two images were taken at Grantville which is located on the eastern side of Westernport Bay, Victoria, Australia.
Low tide at the Grantville beach exposes a huge expanse of fine silty mud dotted with clusters of mangrove trees. On the day I was there the sky was filled with bright swirling clouds so I incorporated them into the photos as an added point of interest. Originally I envisioned capturing the scenes with a featureless blue sky but nature has a way of changing plans. 🙂
I’m been told by several people that the first photo below contains a face in the clouds, and ever since it’s been pointed out to me I see it every time I view the image.
There’s a word for this, ….and the word is pareidolia.
Light and Time at my Ocean Beach
A selection of images taken from two excursions to Sorrento beach.
Return to Primal is a long exposure taken after sunset. The true motion of the waves disguised by the slow shutter speed.
High Tide Sphinx is a slow(ish) exposure taken at high tide as the sun was setting behind the Sphinx rock formation at Sorrento beach, Australia.
Life in the Good Pond is a slow(ish) exposure taken at sunset. A polarizing filter was used to take the reflection off the surface of the rock pool allowing the scene below the surface to become visible. The blurring on the water was caused by the wind rippling the surface.
I Peek Around the Corner is another image from Sorrento where a polarizing filter was used to remove the unwanted reflection of the sky from the surface of the water enabling us to see the wonder below. In the distance on the horizon the Sphinx rock formation is visible.
Droughts and Floods
An image taken at the very scenic Lake Glenmaggie area in Victoria, Australia.
The water level rises and falls dramatically according to the prevailing conditions.
The Path to Bushrangers Bay
Some more images taken on an excursion to Bushrangers Bay in Victoria, Australia.
Below – An image taken along the path to Bushrangers Bay.
Rolling hills, farmland and grazing cattle. Very relaxing stuff indeed.
The Edge
Gum trees growing precariously close to a cliff edge in western Victoria, Australia.
I was attracted to this scene by the trees silhouetted against the bright cloudy sky and of course the dead limbs in the foreground.
Home Sweet Hell
Images from an abandoned house taken during an excursion to the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia.
The image above is available to purchase as a print here.
Through the Fingal Forest
These images were taken on a recent excursion to Fingal beach, near Cape Schanck, Victoria, Australia.
The long track from the carpark to the beach is lined with twisted and gnarled trees creating an interesting viewing experience.
Visitors to the beach also experience the joy of navigating the hundreds of “awkwardly spaced” steps along the path. It’s not so bad going down to the beach but the return uphill journey is certainly a good test of your general fitness. Of course the ideal solution is to take along a strong, sturdy friend who can carry you back up the hill.
The images below were all taken using the Lumix LX3 camera.
After traversing the Fingal forest I managed to take this image.
Sounds of the Undine
A black and white rendition of a recent shot of the lake at Bonnie Doon, Victoria, Australia.
New 2010 calendars available
Yes it’s that time of years again. I’ve put together three new calendars for 2010 and made them available through my Redbubble site.
The first 2010 calendar is called “Shades“. It contains a selection of monochrome and heavily desaturated images from my redbubble portfolio. You can view each page of the calendar in greater detail or purchase one here.
The second 2010 calendar is simply called “Green“. It’s a selection of my images from nature including landscapes, seascapes and foliage shots where the colour green is a predominant influence. You can view each page of the “Green” 2010 calendar in greater detail or purchase a copy of the calendar here.
The third 2010 calendar is titled “Water in Motion” and features images from my collection where the movement of water plays an important role in the composition and feel of each piece. A detailed view of each page of the calendar is available here.
Would you prefer a customized calendar? I can put together a customized calendar for you using your choice of images from my Redbubble portfolio. Simply choose 13 images, that’s one for the front cover and one for each month of the year, and email me with your selection to jim.worrall@gmail.com .
I’ll put the calendar together for you, making it available on Redbubble and send you a link to it. Easy !!
Remnants – a visit to Walhalla cemetery
Graves from the late 1800’s on the sloping grounds of Walhalla cemetery.
Remnants – Walhalla cemetery
Pictured below – The unusual grave of Elizabeth A. Holmes (aged 20 years) and Mary A. Holmes (aged 10 months) who passed away in the 1870’s in Walhalla, Victoria, Australia.
A reflection of tougher times.
Resting Place – Walhalla
Pictured below – Looking down the sloping grounds of the Walhalla cemetery towards the main road below.
On the slopes of Walhalla
Challicum Hills Windfarm, Ballyrogan.
Early morning images from Challicum Hills wind farm near Ballyrogan.
It’s hard to visualize exactly how large these mills are until you get close to them.
Ballyrogan Railway Station
A resident told me that as soon as the trains stopped coming the bored local youths trashed the little building.
This image is available to purchase as a quality print here.
Autumn in the Valley
The late afternoon sun makes this lush Jindivick valley come to life.
This image is available to purchase as a high quality print here.
Neptune’s Playground
A monochrome sunset shot taken at Sorrento ocean beach.
This image is available to purchase as a print here.
West of Mind
A monochrome HDR image taken at Blairgowrie beach, Australia.
The sun struggles through gathering storm clouds.
This image is available to purchase as a print here.
Exploring the Kilcunda trestle rail bridge
Some HDR tonemapped images of the Kilcunda trestle rail bridge, Australia.
There’s a wikipedia page for Kilcunda here.
Eclipsed
Eclipsed – a black and white seascape taken as the sun was setting at Rye ocean beach, Australia.
This image is available to purchase here.
Soldier of the Coast
A black and white shot of the Aireys Inlet (Australia) lighthouse.
This image is available to purchase as a print here.
Wishful Thinking
A monochrome sunset photo taken at Rye ocean beach, Australia.
This image is available to purchase a s a print here.
The Grasp of Her Shadows
A monochrome seascape shot taken just before sunset at Blairgowrie beach, Australia.
This image is available to purchase as a print here
Heaven in Her Arms.
Title – Heaven in Her Arms.
A black and white landscape, shot at Sorrento ocean beach.
This photo is available to view larger or purchase as a print here.
A visit to Montsalvat, Australia’s oldest artist community.
Following are a collection of images captured at Montsalvat artist community, Victoria, Australia.  I’ve finished many of the images in a faded sepia tone to suit the “old” feeling of buildings.
Title – Smoke and Mirrors.
Title – The Flute Makers Call.
Title – The Fist of the Angels.
The Churl’s Paragon.
Title – Father’s Hold.
Title – Family Business.
Title – Release the Bats.
Title – The Fog of the Mind.
Title – Path to Shadowplay.
You can view these images in a larger format or purchase them as a print at –
Two bridges with character.
Here’s two bridges with character.        Both images were taken using HDR techniques to enhance the details on the wooden surfaces of the bridges.       The images were then converted to a weak sepia to enhance their character and lift them out of their surroundings.
Noojee Trestle Bridge, Victoria, Australia –
Don River Bridge at Panton Gap, Victoria, Australia.
McVeigh’s Water Wheel
This is McVeigh’s Water Wheel, for me the main photographic attraction at the Upper Yarra Reservoir Park, Victoria, Australia.
Unfortunately it’s fenced off, so you need to be a bit cheeky to get good shots and jump the fence. The extra effort is worthwhile to get a different perspective on the wheel.
These water wheel shots are available for purchase at –
http://www.redbubble.com/people/pixelmuser/
Photography by Jim Worrall 