Cystal Beach
Feb, 2015Views
569
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in Cristal ball photography Photo Challenge
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superior Skill
Absolute Masterpiece
Dragonphotographic
December 09, 2016
Thank you to everyone who voted for my shot. I am very proud and happy so many people like it.
Dragonphotographic
December 09, 2016
Thank you. I love your shot as well. One of my other regular haunts ;)
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This shot was taken at one of my regular haunts. The Back Beach at Teignmouth, Devon. England. I am very fortunate to live just a few miles inland from hereTime
The best time to visit this place is around sunset. This is the start of the Golden Hour and the light picks up a glow from the red stone cliffs and the beach. This beach faces almost Due West so on a clear day it rarely disappoints with a view straight up the River Teign Estuary to the towering tors of Dartmoor in the distance. Turning the other way looks straight out to sea and of course that can make for perfect sunrise missions.Lighting
The trick to using a crystal ball is to treat it exactly as another lens. It's also a mirror so unless you actually want to be in your own shot as well this is something you have to watch out for.Equipment
On this day I had gone to shoot the sunset so I had my D200, I also had in my bag my 50mm AF 1.8D. Just before I took this shot that's what I changed to because I really like the bokeh from the older style mechanical diaphragm. A CPL filter helped minimize glare from the crystal which is sat on top of my tripod with a black lens cleaning cloth as a base.Inspiration
I arrived a bit early for the sunset shots I was aiming for so had plenty of time to experiment. I just happened to have the crystal in the car. I love to try new techniques and had wanted to do this for a long time so the time was just right. What I really love about digital is that unlike film with it's associated costs, the only shot that is wasted is the one you didn't take.Editing
I try not to shoot with the intention of post processing. I like to try and get things right before clicking. I don't have anything at all against those who get just as much out of our craft while sat at the desk, I just prefer to be out shooting more. I will do a bare minimum of post and generally have a '30 second' rule. This means that if I don't think I can make the shot usable in 30 seconds I pass it by and look at the next. If I have been shooting an event and have to get images ready for an editor for the same day or usually the next at the latest, I find that a good habit to keep. I can tell this shot is pretty much straight out of the camera because at that time my sensor needed cleaning and I can see where the blob is that I should have cloned out. My bad!In my camera bag
Depending what I am doing. For weddings I will have a D700 and D7000. 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200mm f2.8 I have recently treated myself to a 24-120mm f4 and absolutely love it. It has replaced my old 18-200mm VR mk1 that I have had for over 10 years. My backup is my trusty D200 which I have had also for 10 years. I am just about to start experimenting with filters again in my own time. Really looking forward to that.Feedback
Don't be put off if it seems difficult. That's how you get the most interesting and unique shots. Even if you are trying to make a living out of photography, make sure you set aside time to work on personal projects. That way you keep growing your skill set and it will remind you what you loved about the art at the beginning. Follow photographers with lots of different styles on Viewbug as well. Especially beginners. You never know when you will spot something that makes you go "Wow! I have GOT to try that!"
