Herne Bay Sunset
Jul, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on the seafront at Herne Bay of the derelict remains of the old pier.Time
I often walk with my wife along the seafront and of course I always take my camera. We both have an interest in birds and find that we see the biggest variety either first thing in the morning or at dusk. On this occasion we were on the last leg of such a stroll when we could not fail to notice the beautiful red sky and the sun slowly descending at a diagonal towards the pier. We tried to pace ourselves so that we would be in prime position to take this shot as the sun met the sea but I ended up having to run ahead as not to miss this rare opportunity.Lighting
The lighting is completely natural and processing was absolutely minimal, little more than a crop in fact, the deep colours exaggerated only slightly by limiting the shutter speed.Equipment
At the time of taking this photo I was shooting with a Nikon D5000. This was the camera that got me into photography about 18 months ago. I have since upgraded to the D7200 for its capabilities at high ISOs for low light situations or fast shutter speeds when photographing moving birds or insects. The lens is the Nikkor 55-300 AF-S, the only lens I had with me on this occasion as I had only anticipated to capture images of wading birds!Inspiration
Usually my landscape shots are well planned but this shot was entirely serendipitous! Right place, right time - more luck than judgement on this occasion!Editing
I tinkered with this picture a little but eventually resolved to leave the shot as it came from the camera aside from a moderate crop. It was important to me that this image did not look 'over-cooked'!In my camera bag
I now always take the D7200 - that was the best purchase I have made in a very long time. As for lenses; my most used lens is the 55-300. When I first got this lens I was a little disappointed but I have stuck with it and found its sweet spots and a few ways of using it beyond its intended purpose for some creative outcomes - I love it! I also carry a 35mm prime for portrait work - I spend a lot of time fishing and need this for those all-important self-takes as evidence that it really was 'this big'! Finally, I love the 18-55 kit lens as is so versatile. I tend to use this for landscapes and my attempts at astrophotography.Feedback
My advice, if I dare give any at my stage of development as a photographer, is to take your camera with you everywhere! I was at work the other day without my dslr as a huge flock of hundreds of house martins swarmed around my window. I had to content myself with a picture from my phone - it was ok but didn't cut the mustard. I could not have anticipated with alignment of the sun with the pier - I have been told since posting this photograph online that this alignment only happens twice a year. So be prepared and be opportunistic!
