Work and Move

One of the great advantages of the 35mm format, is the ability to move about easily. Unlike 4X5 (not knocking it) where the process can be quite laborious in low light situations, the 35mm format allows the photographer to really maximize on its opportunities. The advent of digital has given us even more reason to explore possibilities.

I've been going to Sandy Hook for many years to both shoot for myself and host morning workshops. More times than not, one is confronted with decent conditions; whether in temperatures, wind, color, cloud cover, etc.., It is not very often when you get blessed with a fair share of color that starts early and rides through sunrise. Such was my fortunate opportunity one mid December morning in 2006.

I arrived at my location an hour before sunrise. You could already see glimpses of color starting to hover the horizon. I had checked the tide charts the night before and it was going to be two hours past the peak of high tide by the time I planned on being at Sandy Hook. As long as the waves were at a minimum, I had a feeling a certain area of beach would open up to me. When I arrived at my spot, I could see the ocean was still working itself pretty close to the rocks where I wanted to start. So, instead of starting on the beach, I found a nice spot on some rocks - not so high as to spoil my angle and not to low as to get soaked but as well placed as I could position myself into.

I carefully crafted a few compositions before settling on one to start out with. After making an initial metering, I snapped off a test to see where I was at. This ability to see what you'll be working with in terms of light and subject is one of the highlights of shooting digital. When shooting film in these early predawn hours, I would often bracket a lot and towards the overexposure side. This method worked well for me but sometimes the amount of shots to achieve satisfaction could be high. With digital, I can determine how far over, under or on the spot I am, right then and there. This ability allows me to maximize my shooting on a particular location without having to linger in a spot to make sure I "nailed it". The above shot is an example of having worked out an exposure at only a few frames before feeling I worked the spot as best I could. The above shot is the second image created from basically my initial set up. My first set up was back a little and down. For this shot, I moved about 5 feet closer and set my tripod up another foot or so. This helped me achieve a better composition than the initial shot.

When I made the most of my fist set of shots, it was time to move on. I picked a path down from the rocks that wouldn't result in mortal danger. The tide was still coming in but not quite as much as it had been. I worked my way along the shoreline to find other shots. I did and I set up and shot. It wasn't until about 5 to10 minutes before sunrise that I found the above shot location. I put my bag up high on a rock because the tide wasn't always cooperating and brought what I thought I would need with me. I really tweaked this setup because I liked the foreground rock. I also had to work around some footprints that a passing fisherman left behind as he passed through. Of course that was the best composition of all but this above one was a close second.

Again, the digital advantage here was that I could quickly set an exposure to work with and take the image. This ability allows me, again, to get the shot, then find another angle to work. Often times the initial angle and or tweak is the best shot and the others that follow up are just that - follow ups - but not always, so don't fall for that trap!

One would think that digital would allow the photographer to shoot less because they can see instant results. I have found that photographers, myself at times included, shoot more. Well shooting more is fine, as long as it is productive. I've seen folks shoot the same shot endlessly when they nailed it about 7 or 8 frames earlier. Unlike film, where I would often shoot in camera duplicates, there really isn't a need to shoot backup images. So instead of shooting like crazy, shoot a slew of angles like crazy! If you nail the shot and are simply looking for and or waiting for the light to change on a scene, well that is one thing. It is another when you are shooting frames of the same shot and you nail it, then continue to fire off frames like it's free. When you nail it - keep moving!

Whenever I go out shooting, I try never to forget about shooting vertically. Shooting vertical is important in becoming a better photographer because it teaches you how to see better. This was shot moments after sunrise. I worked about seven of these because I had to stack and stagger two types of split nds in order to get the exposure I liked. When working with dark subjects where the light isn't going to hit is tough. You see only a slight hint of detail in the foreground rock. Exposures that bring out more detail in the rock rendered the water and the sky to bright.

I could see that my light was going to be limited. The sky, not to far above where the shot is composed, goes all clear. In order to make some more shots that I could see formulating in my mind, I set up a few other compositions before the sun rose too high for my liking. The shot below is the last of the compositions I liked.

Whenever you are presented with opportunities to maximize your shooting potential, I hope you will make the most of the situations. I shot over 15 setups on this morning. I don't think I would have done that with film - the reason being, I had the feedback of the shot and the knowledge that I got it. In film, I would stay with a shot longer, thinking I might miss something or trying to capitalize on the best possible moment. With the digital approach, once I had one or two, what I believed to be, "stone cold keepers", I moved on.

Know your locations! One of the reasons I was able to move about comfortably is because I know this location. The more you know your locations, the more you can maximize the opportunities that are presented to you. In my short time shooting digital, I'd have to rank this as one of my most satisfying shoots. One of the reasons - I made the most out of what my gear offered me, made the most of my location and made the most of the attitude that you can take when shooting digital.

Oh how I do miss Velvia but I have to say, this digital thing can help you expand your photography! AS long as you are willing to let the possibilities open up to you.