TrueNorthImages
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johnfirth_1834
August 22, 2016
It's the bird that makes the shot - but we all make our own luck. Great shot!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken at Maroubra, a local ocean pool near me - right outside of Sydney, Australia.Time
This was taken at dawn. Dawn is my favourite part of the day. Firstly it is so peaceful, I tend to be on my own, just with my thoughts. Secondly, it is time of such possibility - you sit there and watch the sky slowly lighten and you watch the clouds move across the sky - you wonder - will it be moody, will there be an amazing sunrise?Lighting
Given it was so cloudy, I was tempted to leave, but then I noticed the small sliver of sky at the horizon where it was an intense orange. I knew this splash of colour would really add to the shot and the blues of the water.Equipment
I used my Canon 5dmkiii and my canon 16-35mm lens with a tripod, 3 stop GND filter, and remote. Given I was wanting to get a long exposure shot of the waves pouring over the concrete, the tripod was an absolute necessityInspiration
This is a fantastic location, with the concrete, the posts, and the chain. When the tide and wave conditions are right you can capture some stunning shots.Editing
Yes, I did the typical raw adjustments - shadows, highlights, sharpening, white balance. I also boosted the vibrance and added a bit of saturation to make the picture pop and did some dodge and burn on the waves to accentuate them and do create a set of leading lines into the centre of the photo. You may wonder about the bird - but he's real. I was so fortunate that he stood still during my 2 second exposure!In my camera bag
I have a big bag so I don't leave too much behind, especially because I often don't know where I will shoot in the morning - it is so dependent on cloud cover, tides, and wave conditions. I normally have about 3 or 4 lenses to pick from, I have my camera body (now a 5dsr), tripod, remote, filter kit, and plenty of wipes and cleaning materials to care for my lenses given the seaside shooting locations. I also have a rain cover to protect from the waves - in fact not long after this shot, I got doused by a wave so the cover was a camera saver!Feedback
Practice, practice,practice. Be patient and don't give up just because the clouds and light don't look right, you might be surprised!!!