kenievans Loc: Dallas

This was the day before Hurricane Hanna made landfall about 175 miles south of Galveston. I really wanted to "see" the wind in the waves and grass as well as capture the pier in the mist in this photo. I was originally going to shoot at a slow speed on a tripod but the wind was gusting so strong I had to really push the truck door open to get out and it was beginning to rain. I got what I could hand held and added the wind in post processing. Your comments are appreciated.

(Download)

L-Fox

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Wonderful result, Keni, but stay safe.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Compelling juxtaposition of threatening clouds and wild waves against the ferris wheel and roller coaster - subjects that are identified with energy, sunshine and happy family outings. Their simple outlines look like they'd make a great photo op in any weather.

For once I examined the photo prior to reading opening text, and for me the pp just looked kind of blurry. I have no idea how one could create more realistic wind in pp, though I suspect someone will have the answer.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

After reading Linda's comments, I started to think how you could get the long exposure look without having to take a long exposure with a tripod. Here is an idea.

Set your shutter speed so that the exposure you want is at about 1/30 sec.

Find some place like the hood of your car where you can hold your camera basically in one place. (a bean bag would come in handy here)

Shoot a burst of photos (for this example 30 will give you a one second exposure)

Take all thirty shots and use PS to compress them into one image.

Since each photo has a shutter duration of 1/30 of a second, merging all 30 images into one image will give you the equivalent of one photo taken at one second shutter speed.

Since it was windy and rough, I'm guessing that one second would give you a fair amount of motion blur in the water and maybe even in the clouds.


Of course doing this in the middle of a hurricane is pretty much nuts!!

Disclaimer: I've yet to try this method myself since I prefer a tripod and a single long shot; but I've heard photographers describe this method as a way of avoiding the expense of ND filters and still getting shots with lots of motion blur. I would recommend trying it out on a nice day. Then, if you are feeling adventurous, you can apply your new found skill during the next hurricane that comes your way.

I like the photo. It makes me think of the roller coaster near me that was blown completely off a pier during hurricane Sandy and ended up in the ocean. I'm not certain that your pp is giving you exactly the look you want. I give you a ton of credit for being such a trooper and braving the elements as you did.
Erich

kenievans Loc: Dallas

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thanks and no worries Mike. No evacuation orders were issued and we stayed off what there was of the beach. I am adventrous not crazy.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thank you for the comments Linda. I knew the pier would be a great photo op in that weather. I guess my skills were not up to the image I had in my mind. There is always next year!

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Erich I feel like you are the master water motion capturer here and that was what I originally intended to try. I like your suggestion though and if I am every in this situation again I will try it. Thankfully PS has the ability to be non destructive so I was able to remove my attempt. I like what I got, it just wasn't what I went for.

(Download)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I like this version better than the original. Maybe no motion; but it does convey the dismal realities of a hurricane. I like the photo.
Next time I'm at the beach, I'm going to try to get a long exposure photo using the method I described above. I feel a little bit strange suggesting something I have not tried yet. Should be interesting and fun.
erich

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Keni I'm going to have to go against the tide. The first iteration looks like a pier in a hurricane while the second looks like a pier on a dark and stormy day. JMHO

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

Terrific shot, very moody and atmospheric with the lighting and imposing weather conditions. You've got the horizontals, verticals, 1/3ds spot on; well composed and thought out.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

I agree Jack. I don't think the second one has the same impact or feeling. Would you believe there were actually a couple of groups of families with little kids still on the beach when I took this? I cloned them out. I was up on the seawall next to my pickup. No way I would have gone down there with kids. I also couldn't afford to replace my camera if I had dropped it in the surf. I also saw a photographer with a tripod and model out on that rock jetty. Maybe if I had started photography when I was younger but I'm too old for those kinds of adventures anymore. I will leave it to the young and bullet proof.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thank you so much Paul. It was a lot of work in post to get the look I wanted but I enjoy that part almost as much as taking the photos.