This morning I made another hike down into the Arroyo Trabuco, thinking that even with the small amount of rain in the mountains, that the creek would be running a little faster. It was. Also delayed my walk to ensure that there would be more sunlight on the creek versus it running in the shade. More sunny spots. Since I was hunting the elusive singularities for my Quantum Elements series, what I did not bring is my tripod with me.
Good news, bad news; the good news is that the tripod was not necessary as I chased the elusive singularities, but the bad news was to get the highlights to suggest movement for these intimate landscapes, at f/11, the shutter speed was ranging from 1/10th of a second up to 1/80th of second. The first time I made a f/11 exposure, listening to the mirror flap, I knew the shutter speed was pretty slow. Quick check and it was a slow shutter speed; 1/10th. bummer, that is not a shutter speed that I can easily hand hold. Since I did not have my tripod and I wanted to take advantage of the moment, I realized that lots of extra exposures were needed and maybe I might get lucky and one would be fairly sharp. I think the one above is not bad. And it is not destined for a museum, but something to remember the time in the arroyo today.
For what I wanted to accomplish with the blurred highlights, anything to help with reducing image blur would also result in diminishing the highlight streaking, so I could not increase the ISO or open the lens to f/8. Thus more about lessons learned; bring the tripod next time. So I guess I just need to head back down there again. LoL
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the moment even if few of the mini botanical compositions did not turn out very well, like the softer image below. Oh yeah, the floating botanicals are also effected by the flowing water, so for some of these compositions it is almost mission impossible to obtain a really sharp image, so I am leaning into a bit more abstraction and photographic impressionism.
Cheers,
Doug
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Book workshop:
I will be leading a Creative Photo Book workshop with the Southeast Center of Photography (SEC4P) later in the Fall of this year. This will be a virtual event on Zoom; November 6 & 7th and 13 & 14th, 2021, 10 AM – 1 PM, EDT (3 hour session each day, with a week between the weekend sessions to work your book-dummy). Registration is now open, and there is a SEC4P membership discount. Just advised that it is half-way sold out. Let me know if you have any questions!
Developing a Creative Photo Book, a virtual (Zoom) workshop I will be leading again in conjunction with Medium Photo, September 11th, 12th, 18th, & 19th, New dates: March 5 – 6, 12 – 13, 2022 More details and sign-up available now at Medium Photo. New Dates!
Singular Images 