Silver Storm

[Mike Langdon]

This is one of my Black and White Seascapes that I took in the winter 2014.
I ventured out in a storm and spent about 2 hours in the rain trying to capture the storm as it passed over head.
I find taking photos in bad weather is the most rewarding

[bnnrcn]

I like it very much Mike The tint suits the mood very well. If it was my image I would crop the sea in the FG . This would put the horizon off center and the rocks would make an anchor point. Just an idea.

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[Texas Dave]

As much as I like the blurred water in the foreground, Binnur's comment about cropping it out really does change the photo and I think it a positive way. Another dark and mysterious frame that works. Your stormy endeavor paid off!

[DonnaK]

Very nice work, Mike. Viewed large it is dark and moody. What were your settings on this? We all learn from how others do their shots. I'm not sure I could have lasted that long in the rain Again, a super shot and processing.

[Brownbear]

Gorgeous image... I would leave uncropped because I adore the silky water and the light in the rocks in the foreground which makes for a dreamy scene. (cropping makes the image too dark and foreboding for my personal preferences)

[Mike Langdon]

Very nice work, Mike. Viewed large it is dark and moody. What were your settings on this? We all learn from how others do their shots. I'm not sure I could have lasted that long in the rain Again, a super shot and processing.

I actually look forward to the stormy days I do a lot of hiking so I guess I'm used to being out in bad weather.
I took this on my Nikon D7000 and Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 lens set to F11 Iso 100 30 seconds. If I remember, I used a 2 stop ND grad for the whole sky and a 1 stop ND Grad for the top half of the sky and 6 stop ND to slow the shutter speed down to 30 seconds.
I like to use two ND grads staggered on the sky, as I feel that it adds more depth to the storm clouds. I like to capture my vision in camera rather than relying on filters in post production.

[DonnaK]

I actually look forward to the stormy days I do a lot of hiking so I guess I'm used to being out in bad weather.
I took this on my Nikon D7000 and Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 lens set to F11 Iso 100 30 seconds. If I remember, I used a 2 stop ND grad for the whole sky and a 1 stop ND Grad for the top half of the sky and 6 stop ND to slow the shutter speed down to 30 seconds.
I like to use two ND grads staggered on the sky, as I feel that it adds more depth to the storm clouds. I like to capture my vision in camera rather than relying on filters in post production.

Thank for the information, Mike. I like your use of the ND filters and your explanation. I'm still looking at exactly what I want in them. I need to do more landscapes, and I like to learn how others achieve their results. I do like this one. You did a lot of prep to get the shot and it shows.

[Mike Langdon]

Thank for the information, Mike. I like your use of the ND filters and your explanation. I'm still looking at exactly what I want in them. I need to do more landscapes, and I like to learn how others achieve their results. I do like this one. You did a lot of prep to get the shot and it shows.

Thank you for your kind words Donna. Im always happy to help and share my techniques, don't see the point in keeping it a secret.

[John 2]

Tints have to be used with care Mike but this one works. I like it as is.

[Mike Langdon]

Tints have to be used with care Mike but this one works. I like it as is.

I agree with you John. I don't do tints myself normally, but this one was actually caused by the little stopper filter I was using at the time, I decided to not correct the colour cast with white balance correction as I felt that it added to the mood of the image.

[Manfred M]

Mike - just a comment on composition.

1. Our eyes are drawn to the lightest areas of an image;

2. Compositionally we want to ensure that the viewer's eyes are drawn into the image.

When the brightest area of the image is at the bottom left corner, the viewer's eyes will tend to drop off the image, i.e. in spite of it being a good shot, there is aspect is going to work against you in this shot.

[Stagecoach]

Very good Mike, I like the mood of this image and it suits the treatment you have given it. One of my immediate thoughts was regarding the option of cropping the foreground but after moving it around in the 'lytebox' I concluded I far prefer as it is.

As someone who takes a lot of seascapes I often find a significant difference in brightness between sides of the image and often ponder over how best to deal with these as to where the eyes are drawn.

[IzzieK]

I like the image the way it is, Mike -- no cropping. The moodiness of the shot made for good viewing. The upcoming storm makes me like to run to the car to seek shelter.

[DaveRob]

If I may be excused the PUN...... This rocks

:-)

DaveR

[Wavelength]

A really great image....