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Moment of truth



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I visited "sea caves" at Ayia Napa an hour before sunset to try another shot , hopping for a better sky than the last time I was there . As I was stan...
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I visited "sea caves" at Ayia Napa an hour before sunset to try another shot , hopping for a better sky than the last time I was there . As I was standing on the top of the rocky formation I heard some noise from below from another guy trying to shoot the caves from sea level. He was kind enough to help me and my gear get down to the water level. After some careful walking I found a deep cave that gave me a composition that looked great through the viewfinder. So I waited from my place for some clouds, but nothing . So in order to balance the frame I had to step in the frame. My wireless remote has no build in timer so I had to stand there counting the seconds and trying to be very very still. one of the best minute of my life in which , for me , the world stood still and I will cherish and remember for a long long time !!! After the light faded away we climbed back to the surface helping each other to climb on the steep rocks . An almost SOOC image , no cropping , leveling , vignetting or manipulation whatsoever except sharpening. So no processing details except some exif info ...
Nikon D800 with Nikon 14-24mm f-2.8 fitted with Nisi filter holder , Nisi 10 stop ND plus Nisi 3 stop soft ND grad. Exposure 63,0 sec; f-10; ISO 200 ... single Nef file , imported into lightroom , passed to Photoshop , for sharpening and JPEG export.
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2 Comments |
brettstyles Platinum
 
brettstyles December 23, 2016
Some come to Viewbug with a single good image but you started with three different and amazing shops. This is the favourite as the light has such beautiful hues and the eye snaps to the subject and floats in awe around this stunning image. Well Done and Welcome.
Phototamer
 
Phototamer February 28, 2018
Thank you all for commenting :)
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Behind The Lens

Location

This was taken at a remote shore which is only accessible by climbing and desenting through steep rocks and walking in sea water to get there. Not many Images have been taken there because of the difficulty of accessing the place. It is one of the most beautiful places in my island ... Cyprus .

Time

As most of my landscape Images this was taken at golden hour at sunset , at around 7 o’clock in the evening. This is the time that the contrast is lo and the colors are more vivid.

Lighting

I knew that with the long exposure , the water would turn into mirror and the light would reflect and create the mood I was after. I used the framing of the cave to make the main subject , me , more prominent in the frame.

Equipment

This one was taken with the Nikon D800 and Nikon 24mm f/2.8 supported on my trusty Gitzo tripod. For the long exposure I used the Nisi 10 stop plus the Nisi 3 stop soft Nd grad

Inspiration

The difficulty in getting there was a big factor to take the photograph. I did not had a selfie in mind , but as soon as I got there , and seeing the composition and imaginary leading lines of the submerged rocks , the final image appeared in my mind as by magic. I wanted to convey the feeling of magic and calmness of the place , and I think it does just that.

Editing

Post processing is minimal , I always shoot in RAW and import the image in camera raw. I correct the white balance and open a bit the shadows and lower the highlights in order to reduce the contrast. In this image I additionally added a dark gradient to lower the luminosity of the sky and also a subtle vignette . I the opened the file in photoshop for, denoise and sharpening. Finally I cropped the image to straighten the horizon.

In my camera bag

I always have my Nikon D800 , Nikon 24mm f/2.8 , Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 , nikon 70-200 f/2.8 , Nikon 16mm f/4 , the Nisi filter system for the Nikon 24mm , a Nisi 10 stop filter , a Nisi 3 stop soft Nd grad filter , a Nisi CPL filter ,100 mm filter system for the lenses with the 77mm filter thread , 2 wireless remotes , one manual remote in case the other 2 fail , rubber bands in case all the remotes fail , a tall Gitzo tripod , spare batteries and several cleaning cloths for the lenses.

Feedback

I often watch photographers , running around and trying to compose a frame during the sunset when the light changes. Sometimes they get a beautiful image sometimes they do not. Instead try and find a composition that you think it will work when the light is good and don’t move your tripod until the light is over. If you think you have a great Image then ... and only then try and move to get a different composition before the light dies. Staying in one place you will learn how the light gradually changes , intensity , contrast and saturation and you will be able to know the time to,take an image and have a winner in your hands .

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