rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA

My camera club assignment this month is slow shutter images. I have never tried it. Not so easy! The first image is done by a local photographer...not me! It is representative of what I would like to achieve, but as you can see from a couple of examples (after heavy pp), I am not even close. Any tips?

My goal

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My first feeble attempt

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Taken in the same spot as the example. Early morning light would seem to help.

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I’m definitely going to have to try harder!

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Looks like your shutter maybe too slow in your attempts. There is a ton of wind in the goal that creates the "cloud" above the wave. It appears that with your attempts, there wasn't a lot of wind. The bird in the goal is not that blurry. I think the shutter speed in the goal was not all that slow.

Logan1949

I am not sure that your goal image is actually a "slow shutter" image. The gull in the sky still has an upraised wing. It looks more like a strong breeze from the shore is blowing the spray from the top of the wave back out to sea as the wave breaks.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

You might want to post this in the Long Exposure Photography Forum: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-108-1.html
Admin may move it to the appropriate section for you.

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

I agree with longshadow, the top image has perfect light so it is not comparable either. I think the shutter speed in the top image is not all that slow, just enough to blur the sprayback.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A ND filter and tripod will help a lot in this exercise.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

I also agree with Longshadow. Here is a link that may help you in your quest:
https://digital-photography-school.com/7-tips-help-improve-seascape-photos-controlling-waves/

rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA

You folks are so great. I read all the comments and studied the links and some other materials. Here are the results of my second field trip. I'm getting closer. It's hard to judge your own work sometimes. Do any of you think one of these might be good enough to submit for the "slow shutter" assignment? Its a "merit" or "no merit" judging. The Nikon shots were all with my 18-140mm lens,1 or 2 ND1000 filters, 20 - 30 seconds, f/22-30.

Thanks again for all your help. Even if you don't think the pics are great, I think you'll agree all the help and encouragement is starting to pay off.

So, whadda you all think? The assignment is due by Monday, so I need to pick one or keep trying???

First, the location looking south.

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Next, the location looking north

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Shot with the Canon SX60HS looking south, F8, ND1000, 2 seconds.

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Shot with the Nikon D7200, Nikkor 18-140mm

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Shot with the Nikon looking West.

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Another Nikon shot looking South.

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Another Nikon shot, different shutter speed.

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Lastly, the north Nikon shot, tightly cropped.

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

1 & 2 not so much for the slow shutter, but the others are really nice.

rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA

Thanks so much for your encouragement. The first two were just location shots to set the stage for what I was shooting for my assignment. Do you have a favorite?

Hyperhad Loc: Thunder Bay, Canada

I like 5 and 7 the best. Some nice images here!

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

#1 shot at a long angle, #2 and 3 look shot straight on. Beside finding the right speed and good light something to consider.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

3 followed by 6.

NelsonARowe Loc: North Georgia USA

I like photo 5 another Nikon looking south. The way the spray is captured coming off the rocks is great IMO.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

I agree with Longshadow regarding the gull in the goal, but also posit that the lighting was perfect to highlight the spray. But, I do suspect that quite a lot of post was used, because if there was enough wind to blow the top off the wave, there would be a lot more chop on the water, but it is glass smooth. So, the "goal" photo probably has a lot more going on than slow shutter speed. As for your stuff, I like 4, 5, and 6.