jbartimus

Makapu'u Lighthouse

NIKON D700

settings

Aperture f/8.0 ISO 100 Shutter 6/1

upload_date

Dec, 2013

Views

1651

Likes

+804

Awards

Action Award

Chatter Award

Zenith Award

Top Shot Award 22

Moderator Award

Legendary Award

Featured

Superb Composition

+180

Absolute Masterpiece

+110

Top Choice

+68

Outstanding Creativity

+32

Peer Award

+19

Superior Skill

Exceptional Contrast

All Star

Magnificent Capture

Jaw Dropping

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo at the Makapu'u beach park to test out my new 10 stop ND I had just bought. I totally didn't know what I was doing, which is sometimes for the best.

Time

I shot this in the morning. I woke up at 4:00 A.M so I would make sure not to miss the sunrise. I absolute love waking up in the morning to stand at the oceanside and listen to the waves crash against the shores. It is quite the majestic feeling.

Lighting

This morning all the stars were aligning. I knew that I wanted to have a dramatic scene and luckily there was a lot of cloud cover to help hold back the light. I just wanted to make sure i could get a long exposure. The real magic happened when the sun just peaked over the horizon and the clouds cleared to give that sliver of color.

Equipment

I was using a Nikon D700 and the 50mm 1.4G. I mounted my camera on a Manfrotto tripod and used both a polarizer and a 10 Stop ND Filter.

Inspiration

This was all about the long exposure and capturing movement. I also wanted to have drama played out and that is why the lighthouse and a stormy day was chosen.

Editing

This particular photo took me awhile to really nail down the editing. I used a combination of Lightroom for the quick local adjustments and photoshop for luminosity masks. I combined 2 photos from the same scene. One for the foreground and one for the sky.

In my camera bag

I try to keep my bag very minimal and simple. There is a balance to being ready, but traveling light. I do a lot of hiking and traveling around the island and I don't want to be hampered. I always have 3 lenses in my bag. I have my absolute favorite the 50mm 1.4 that use for just about everything. Next up is the Samyang 14mm 2.8 which is my preferred perspective for taking in the whole scene. Another lens I have added lately is the 28mm 2.8. I love this perspective and have become accustomed to it because my phone is a 28mm equivalent focal length. As far as camera, I currently carry a Nikon D750, and if it isn't on a tripod then it's attached to a Black Rapid sports strap. For filters, I always have a polarizer attached to my lens and a 10 Stop ND. Oh and of course extra batteries and a cloth to wipe down my gear.

Feedback

Be prepared to show up early to the show or stay late. I typically want to be to a scene an hour before sunrise to catch the blue hour (or if it is sunset, stay an hour later). Those bits of light that show up just before the sun rises and after the sun goes down are very mystical and peaceful. For me this is where all the magic happens. The best advise I can give is pick your composition and stick with it. If need be scout prior. Patience and discipline are key here. On the technical side, because I don't use Graduated filters I will always take two shots. One exposure for the sky and then one for the foreground. I prefer this method and using luminosity masks. This way is cheaper and keeps my bag lighter. Another thing to note is that I take a great deal of photos. The nuisances of changes made by the waves or clouds can really enhance the overall composition.

See more amazing photos, follow jbartimus

jbartimus

jbartimus

Makapu'u Lighthouse

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow jbartimus

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.