Stormy Watson
Long Exposure
Long Exposure
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Aug, 2015Views
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Capture Clouds Photo Contest
Winner in Monsoon (color) - show me your best shot Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Beauty In The Clouds Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Exposures Marketplace Project
Contest Finalist in Water And Rocks Photo Contest
People's Choice in Long Exposure Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 24 Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Exploring The Wilderness Photo Contest
Staff Winter Selection 2015
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Love it
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Genius
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Xbizdean
February 10, 2021
Do you ever take a bad photography? Love all of your work. Such a great eye...
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Sedona613
September 18, 2022
I love Watson Lake in Prescott, AZ. Can't mistake those dells. Beautiful.
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This image was taken at Watson Lake, Prescott AZ. Also know as "the Dells", an outcropping of large granite boulders with the lake weaving amongst them. As water levels rise and fall, more of the structures are revealed so the landscape is in constant change. Shortly after getting the shot, the skies opened the floodgates of heavy rain followed by lightening.Time
Early morning for this shoot. I had to wait for the light to improve. I practiced with different exposures during the lag-time.Lighting
Each summer, Arizona gets their "monsoon" season. Billowing cumulus clouds fill the skies, followed by heavy rains, thunder, lightning and wind. The lighting was mysterious and ominous with fast moving clouds, rapidly changing the light.Equipment
Canon 1DX, tripod, Big Stopper (10 stop) ND filter, wide angle lens.Inspiration
At the time I was taking a class in long exposure photography. This was a class assignment. After many trips to the lake, finally got the skies, lighting, reflection and composition for this shot. It took several tries to get the timing exactly right, as long exposures differ time-wise from one situation to another.Editing
Most post-processing was done in Adobe Camera Raw. In Photoshop, some dodging and burning, with minimal cloning .In my camera bag
I carry two packs, each with a camera (one with a long lens, one with a wide angle) in each. At the time I had the Canon 1DX, Canon 16-24mm lens. The other camera is a Nikon D800e with a Nikon 70-200mm lens. Also carry one or two ND filters (10, 13, 16 stop), exposure guide...Hitech screw-on with step-up adaptor, 10 stop Big Stopper with adapter. Also have lens cleaning kit, Gitzo tripod, Really Right Stuff monopod, spare batteries, flashlight and water (I live in Arizona!).Feedback
When taking long exposures, it is good to have an app or table to help give you some guide for how long to expose for particular lighting and conditions. These are excellent for finding a starting point for exposure. Dramatic skies and lighting are key. Having ND filters are pretty much necessary for long exposures during full sun and bright light as you need to be able to leave your shutter open longer. A tripod is mandatory as it prevents camera-shake at slow shutter speeds. I find it usually takes more than one shot to get it exactly right..and lots of practice (at least for me). With long exposures, it can take several minutes with every exposure, but well worth the wait.
