ViewBug community member pauldmessenger is from Scotland, which many consider a photographers paradise because of its magical landscape.
Portencross is such a beautiful place to photograph with all the essence to create a good image. It has a Castle, harbour, and one of only 2 concrete jetties in the world. I though I would try and move away from them and get a slightly different view looking over to the Isle of Arran, (in the distance on the left of the image.) Fading light, and a long exposure were the aims to get the classic milky water without blowing out the highlights from the sky of water.
Location & Tinme
Portencross, NorthAyrshire, Scotland. 22.30. on 19 June 2013
Lighting
The sunlight was just about gone, and the colour of the sky was very muted, with no real colours to be seen with the eye.
Equipment
Camera used was a Cano 60D, mounted on a tripod, with a Sigma 10-20mm WA lens, at ISO 100, f/11 with a 150 sec exposure. There was also a 6 stop Haida PRO II ND filter on the lens.
Editing
Minimal editing, there was a boost to the colours, and a bit of sharpening, and clarity in lightroom 5. Highlights reduced, and shadows boosted, and that was about it.
In my camera bag
Canon 60d, and 600d, 10-20 Sigma lens, 17-70 Sigma O/S lens, Tamron 70-300mm SP lens, Canon 50mm f1.8, Canon 430EXII Flash, filters, and ND filters.
Tips
I run Magic lantern on both cameras this allows me to run extended exposure times if needed with out the need for added equipment. The use of an ND filter added to the exposure time to create the milky water effect. Make sure a sturdy tripod is used, I don't bother with mirror lock up, as with such a long exposure I'm not sure you need it for an image such as this as not stacking is involved. Get the sun just setting aided in the images, as there was no need to worry about the highlights blowing out and becoming over exposed. The window of opportunity for this is only 5 or 6 minutes as the light is changing and fading so fast. You need to get out and give yourself plenty of time to get set up and be ready to when the light hits the right spot.
