St. Petersburg Marina
Walking along the marina, this cloud came rolling in.
Walking along the marina, this cloud came rolling in.
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iPhone X
Aperture f/1.8 ISO 20 Shutter 1/174 Focal Length 4/1 
Saint Petersburg, Florida, US
Nov, 2020Views
471
Likes
Awards
Top Shot Award 22
Winner in Storms Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Virtuoso
Superior Skill
Emotions
Impressed
Happy
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Behind The Lens
Location
We had taken a trip to the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg but just across the street was the edge of the Tampa Bay. After we toured the museum, we walked across the street and started walking along the marina.Time
We toured the museum and grounds just after lunchtime, exited the building and walked across the street. That would put this image around late afternoon, I estimate the capture at 4:00 pm, but my phone says 5:00 pm. I believe that time was recorded after my final edits in Snapseed and then saved.Lighting
I was setting up this shot of the marina when the clouds quickly rolled in and darkened the sky. I immediately adjusted for a wide angle, upped my ISO and made the clouds the focus of the image. It’s said that if you don’t like the weather in Florida, just wait 10 minutes and it will change. While these clouds threatened something ominous, it was an empty threat and as quickly as they gathered, they were gone.Equipment
I had taken my Nikon D7000 to the museum with me but security wouldn’t allow me to take it inside. Back to the car to secure it away, and all I had was my iPhone. I didn’t stop at the car to pick up my camera for the walk around the marina so this was a simple iPhone grab shot.Inspiration
I love the peaceful scene of a marina with boats gently bobbing on the wakes of other boats and had originally planned for a tight shot of the color of the boats, the water and the magic of the afternoon. While setting up, I noticed the wind had picked up and the clouds rolled in. The drama in the threat of the clouds quickly became the subject as I zoomed back out to capture them.Editing
I adjusted the white balance in the native iPhone editing app but then exported it to Snapseed to add definition to the clouds with just a touch (about 10%) of HDR. Much more than that and a picture will look “overcooked.” I love the robustness of Snapseed and when I’m using a mobile camera, I will turn to it more often than Lightroom mobile.In my camera bag
My bag was packed away in the car since I couldn’t go into the museum with it but it was lovingly packed with my Nikon D7000 body, 18-200mm zoom, my Sigma 50mm prime lens (that is such an awesome piece of glass), and my first generation LensBaby. And since I get excited about field trips when I can shoot, there is always a cleaning cloth, 2 extra batteries and extra memory cards. I’ve since upgraded to a Nikon D850.Feedback
The weather in Florida is capricious, going from sun to clouds to rain quicker than the blink of an eye. It always makes for a dramatic and dynamic subject. When looking for subject matter, always try to incorporate the sky because it adds a special dimension. Bring protection for your gear because you never know when those threats of rain become real.
