Yesterday was still cold and wet but I thought it might be worth a drive. Didn't return with that much but a pleasant day out nonetheless. This swamp wallaby wasn't particularly bothered by my presence even after I got out of the car to get a better shot.
Do I convert?
This is not a religious proposition but a reference to the black and white option vs colour. I've spent a lot of time in and around the ocean and find the the mix of colours and textures which includes the rocky surrounds a drawcard that's hard to resist coming back to again and again - with or without a camera. For the most part, I don't convert any 'wave action' shots to black and white simply because the colour of the ocean and the light through the waves provides so much variation and depth that converting to greyscale somehow takes the essence out of it. You don't see holiday posters of idyllic locations in b&w. The b&w rendition has the effect of breaking the familiar emotional links or associations we have with the scene. Additionally b&w photography is not so much about vistas or photographing familiar things in a familiar fashion. There is more ambiguity in b&w for this reason. And for the same reason photographing in b&w can be more challenging.
So, it really comes down to the translation. I have many colour shots for example from India which give a flavour or subtlety to the image that is not there when viewed as b&w. India is that kind of place. Colour enhances the character. I would imagine that African images would give a similar result, especially in a rural environment. Example below...
Day/Night Pt 2
Some additional images from the previous set including a colour image that I like for the tones. Well some editing has taken place in the form of extra images added including coloured rock and breaking wave. In the process it occurred to me how significant the editing process can be in making a presentation. If you've ever had a curated exhibition, there is always the subject of the rhythm and flow of your work. This includes grouping and in some instances spacing. Images that 'go together' strengthen each other. The last three images in this set are a good example of this. All three have a strong horizontal component in the form of a dark 'line'. Whether sand or water it makes no difference. They are graphic elements that tie the images together. 'Unlike' compositions may be given extra space where available. This is particularly true of a project where there may be fewer stand alone or 'hero' shots. They arranged vertically here but nevertheless some flow is required.
Day/Night
Processing this shot reminded me of the old westerns that were filmed using a technique where the film would be underexposed to create the effect of nighttime. Its particularly useful and works well for b&w images. 'Correctly' exposed would show the scene blown out in the highlights. Form and lighting (including highlights and shadow) are more important in this instance. We don't really want to know what colour the sand is. B&W allows the imagination to work a little more.
The shot above is obviously posed but not for me. The girl was having a photoshoot with someone else and ended up in front of me.
Timing is everything
The 'decisive moment' in this case occurred about 5 minutes after this shot. You might notice the fairly long shoreline. I was preoccupied with these guys body surfing in the shorebreak. While sitting on the sand looking through the viewfinder (and so unaware of my immediate surroundings), a large wave nearly washed me off the beach. Completely soaked from the waist down I took a couple more shots since I was already wet. As I made my way back to the car, a few chuckles were heard in the background. Drove home in a towel. End of story.
Fibreglass tombstones. Bigger surf in preceding days.
Absence of scale
One of my favourite shots from a recent trip to the coast. I always enjoy looking at images which have no significant sense of scale. They engage the mind. This is the outflow from a storm water drain. Who knew they could be so subtle. The flow of water varied and every now and then found an obstacle in the ridges of sand.
A variation on the theme below. Converted to a toned image.