Such brilliant long exposures! Loved sitting with each one & marvelling at the tones. Like you, I changed my ev to monochrome & really has created such a lovely body of work that I am proud of. Thank you so much for sharing your process.
James, these are all stunning images. I really enjoyed your post and the spectacular images you shared. You asked if we had a favorite - but I think they are all amazing and it's fascinating to be taken through your process for each. (I will say the 0.4 second monochrome did something amazing to the waves). Thank you for this.
Thanks Tom. You can rarely go wrong with 0.4sec - it usually has enough softness while retaining a nice amount of detail. It's often my first "safety" shot to get something, and then go from there.
Very nice work: I do love long exposure shots, though mine are never as well thought-out as yours! In terms of capturing movement, for me the 0.4 sec version is the most effective, by quite a long way. A purely personal view, and I do seem to be out of sync with others here. What ND strength did you use for it? And the split toning adds a strong touch of mood: I'd love to see it applied to the 0.4 shot.
Thank you Justin. Like you, I often use around 0.4 sec for my 'stream flowing through forest' type shots. It's the perfect amount to get some clear leading lines through the image, without losing the texture. Sometimes though, in scenes like these, where there is a large mass of water, a really long exposure does wonders to simpify the image. Different tools for different moods!
Really interesting and informative post. It is great seeing series of the same composition with different shutter speeds - really illustrates the different effects that can be achieved. Thanks so much for sharing :-)
Great series of images James - favourites for me would be the 120sec exposure or your favourite one with the split toning which I feel softens the contrast nicely. Beautiful work!
Very cool... Long exposures are magic! Your one that is 4th from the bottom is my fav I think. At first glance it almost looks like a mountain range from the air... it make me really stop. Great work!
Thanks Dan - I love the texture of the rock along this coastline, but it took a lot of variations to get this composition! I am going to explore your initial impression of a mountain range from the air, thanks.
Of the first set, both color and b/w, I like the shortest and longest exposures the best. Only a slight blur to the waves, or remove them altogether. Your favorite one is great, both the composition and the light. I like the last one - there is a certain curviness to the waves in the foreground. I also like the one just above it, it has kind of a mystical feeling. It reminds me of a bubbling cauldron, somehow, and there's a glow in the distance, just above the rocks. I think the split toning helps this feeling. In the side-by-side images, I actually prefer the straight b/w version. I think the water and rocks don't benefit from the warming.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments Kevin. I agree with your comment on split toning - if you are going to use it, you really need to commit to a particular edit. I almost used split toning on my favourite one, but it didn't need it. If anything, it was a distraction.
It's fascinating to see the different exposure lengths side by side! I believe my favorite image is the one (right above split toning) where the light came out. The whites in that really pop! I also really like the last three, especially the one in the middle. Excellent work, and I think you've inspired me to play with my 10 stop ND filter!
Thanks Erik, it's always fun to experiment. The only thing with the 10 stop, especially with waterfalls, is that you lose all detail in the water. One thing to try - take two images on a tripod, one slowish (maybe under 0.5sec) and one really slow (10sec +) with the 10 stop, and then blend the two by painting in a mask.
So many great images. It was hard to choose which ones I like best, but there are two clear favorites. The 120 sec one is number 1. I think it has the right mix between harshness from the rocks and softness from the water, and I love the contrasts and tones and light. “Serenity” is what I would call it. It’s so beautiful!
I also love the 50 second exposure. I think it’s the colors in that one that draw me in: the clouds, the warm tones of the rocks and the slight greenish tones of the water. It’s beautiful with just the right amount of drama.
Your favorite is also incredible, of course. The lighting is absolutely striking!
I love split toning! It is something I have been experimenting, and I do find it adds somehow more depth to an image. Not always, but it works in your examples.
Such brilliant long exposures! Loved sitting with each one & marvelling at the tones. Like you, I changed my ev to monochrome & really has created such a lovely body of work that I am proud of. Thank you so much for sharing your process.
Thanks Nicole. I am not sure where I heard about changing the EVF to monochrome, but it is a game changer!
Absolutely sure is! I think I learnt by watching a YouTube video but not entirely sure which one it was.
A wonderful and insightful read. 👍
Thanks Scott - glad you enjoyed.
James, these are all stunning images. I really enjoyed your post and the spectacular images you shared. You asked if we had a favorite - but I think they are all amazing and it's fascinating to be taken through your process for each. (I will say the 0.4 second monochrome did something amazing to the waves). Thank you for this.
Thanks Tom. You can rarely go wrong with 0.4sec - it usually has enough softness while retaining a nice amount of detail. It's often my first "safety" shot to get something, and then go from there.
Well I thought you created an analog picture which you split toned in the darkroom. Anyways still a beautiful image!
A big compliment Rolf, thank you. I love the look of silver gelatin prints - but I am not quite sure I have worked out the secret recipe just yet!
Very nice work: I do love long exposure shots, though mine are never as well thought-out as yours! In terms of capturing movement, for me the 0.4 sec version is the most effective, by quite a long way. A purely personal view, and I do seem to be out of sync with others here. What ND strength did you use for it? And the split toning adds a strong touch of mood: I'd love to see it applied to the 0.4 shot.
Thank you Justin. Like you, I often use around 0.4 sec for my 'stream flowing through forest' type shots. It's the perfect amount to get some clear leading lines through the image, without losing the texture. Sometimes though, in scenes like these, where there is a large mass of water, a really long exposure does wonders to simpify the image. Different tools for different moods!
Really interesting and informative post. It is great seeing series of the same composition with different shutter speeds - really illustrates the different effects that can be achieved. Thanks so much for sharing :-)
My pleasure Angie. It's great to find an interesting subject to really experiment with - lots of fun and learnt a lot.
Great series of images James - favourites for me would be the 120sec exposure or your favourite one with the split toning which I feel softens the contrast nicely. Beautiful work!
Thank you Lin. I would not argue with your choices!
Very cool... Long exposures are magic! Your one that is 4th from the bottom is my fav I think. At first glance it almost looks like a mountain range from the air... it make me really stop. Great work!
Thanks Dan - I love the texture of the rock along this coastline, but it took a lot of variations to get this composition! I am going to explore your initial impression of a mountain range from the air, thanks.
Of the first set, both color and b/w, I like the shortest and longest exposures the best. Only a slight blur to the waves, or remove them altogether. Your favorite one is great, both the composition and the light. I like the last one - there is a certain curviness to the waves in the foreground. I also like the one just above it, it has kind of a mystical feeling. It reminds me of a bubbling cauldron, somehow, and there's a glow in the distance, just above the rocks. I think the split toning helps this feeling. In the side-by-side images, I actually prefer the straight b/w version. I think the water and rocks don't benefit from the warming.
Cool stuff!
Thanks for your thoughtful comments Kevin. I agree with your comment on split toning - if you are going to use it, you really need to commit to a particular edit. I almost used split toning on my favourite one, but it didn't need it. If anything, it was a distraction.
It's fascinating to see the different exposure lengths side by side! I believe my favorite image is the one (right above split toning) where the light came out. The whites in that really pop! I also really like the last three, especially the one in the middle. Excellent work, and I think you've inspired me to play with my 10 stop ND filter!
Thanks Erik, it's always fun to experiment. The only thing with the 10 stop, especially with waterfalls, is that you lose all detail in the water. One thing to try - take two images on a tripod, one slowish (maybe under 0.5sec) and one really slow (10sec +) with the 10 stop, and then blend the two by painting in a mask.
I've tried a few times with the 10 stop, and I know exactly what you mean. Blending different exposures is a great and creative idea!
Amazing work and series!
Thank you - and a lot of fun was had in making the images.
So many great images. It was hard to choose which ones I like best, but there are two clear favorites. The 120 sec one is number 1. I think it has the right mix between harshness from the rocks and softness from the water, and I love the contrasts and tones and light. “Serenity” is what I would call it. It’s so beautiful!
I also love the 50 second exposure. I think it’s the colors in that one that draw me in: the clouds, the warm tones of the rocks and the slight greenish tones of the water. It’s beautiful with just the right amount of drama.
Your favorite is also incredible, of course. The lighting is absolutely striking!
I love split toning! It is something I have been experimenting, and I do find it adds somehow more depth to an image. Not always, but it works in your examples.
Thank you for your kind comments Manuela. Serenity is a lovely name.
Experimentation is the name of the game - and the nice thing about rocks is that they will stay still while you experiment!