Monday 18 February 2013

How did the Professional Photographer Take That Photo - Todays Photographer is Deborah Sandidge

Today's photographer is one of those professional photographers that I always make the time to look at her images when she posts them... and I love when she travels... we get to see images from some great locations as seen through Deb's eyes...
 
Today Deborah shares with us some of her photos from a recent trip to London... and as always, they are great... and inspiring... 
 
Take it away Deborah 
 
One of the fascinating aspects of photography is the ability of the photographer to convey the passage of time, or create a sense of motion through the art and technique of long exposure. You can create beautiful long exposure images at the edge of night and beyond, and capture surreal photos during the brightness of day. With the use of neutral density filters, you can calm the crashing waves of an ocean, softly blur clouds across the sky, and create the impression of emptiness on busy walkways and streets. Everything changes, the reality, the mood, and the drama of a composition, and allows you to create expressive, fine art imagery. 
 
 
For example, when I traveled to London recently, everyone including me photographed iconic subjects such as the London Eye. It’s a fascinating structure, and barely seems to move. With a little creative effort and the use of a 10 stop neutral density filter, I was able to create a sense of motion and convey the passage of time. The extended exposure of 113 seconds gives the photo a creative edge over many travel pictures making it more artistic. Long exposure photography requires more time, effort, and patience, however it’s rewarding to come away with a unique and beautiful photograph that is the result of an extended exposure.
 
Here’s how you do it— To blur clouds and water, and capture a subject in motion, you’ll need a sturdy tripod, cable, or remote release, and a 10 stop neutral density filter such as the Lee Big Stopper or Singh-Ray Mor-Slow. Much like using an infrared filter on the lens, compose, meter and focus first. You can calculate exposure for the 10 stop neutral density filter based on metered exposure using an app such as NDTimer or Long-time. Ideally, something needs to be moving in the composition to create a compelling long exposure image. The London Eye Ferris wheel or clouds moving through the scene in the photo below of Tower Bridge in London make eye-catching images. Ocean waves crashing over rocks can create a softened, ethereal scene or rippled water in a lake can become magically smooth—your opportunities are endless!
 
Thanks Deborah... to find Deborah on the web, please see the following links...­­
Gplus.to/debsandidge

If you want to join Deborah and I, we are running a few workshops together.
Paris in September 2014  and  Morocco in March 2014
 

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