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Old 08-28-2009, 02:48 AM
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EdHamlin EdHamlin is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 27
Default Photographing Ocean scenes

Quote:
Originally Posted by OjaiAnna View Post
Ok ... I live on the west coast and the sun sets in the west, so when I am trying to take photos of the ocean or with the ocean in the background in the afternoon, I am facing into the sun ... or even partially into the sun if I change my angle a little bit. Does anyone have any suggestions on taking pictures like this? Thank you.
Shooting into the sun is a challenge, as I don't wait for the sun to go down! I often shoot directly at the sun which usually eliminates the various, sometimes undesired effects such as starbursting, ghosting and such in the image.

I saw someone else comment about using the correct filters, usually a polarizing along with a std uv will do the trick. You may have to use a graduated filter(neutral density). Also remember it is more difficult to get the correct exposure even when shooting without filters.

This is where I usually change my K rating for white balance and about f2 stops and I shoot at 100 iso until the light is very dim and then bump up to 200 and go with very long exposures. Take a look at what I have on my website. I be gald to look up the exif. All of the shots there I didn't use any filters. I typically use a polarizing filter when I am shooting in lower elevations where there is a lot of visable(haze)moisture in the air.

I just saw your picture, easiest solutions is get a circular polarizing filter, this will take you down two stop but it will give more contrast also a neutral density filter will work as suggested and that is a kit that can run a couple hundred dollars for a good kit. I am a nikon guy and use the nikon polarizing filter. Tiffen is good along with many others, it goes to what fits your budget.

Feel free to contact me as I live in southern CA close to the beaches and mountains.
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Last edited by EdHamlin; 08-28-2009 at 03:02 AM. Reason: Added some information
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