Seashell Heaven

[abayer83]

Camera: Kodak Easyshare Z980
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO Speed: 64
Exposure Bias: +1 EV
Flash: Not fired

I took this the other day and am hoping for suggestions on the exposure. . . I'm "okay-happy" with this shot, but not thrilled, mainly because the seashells are overblown. Now, I did take this in the middle of the day, in the bright Florida sunshine, and I know that's a great way to make it difficult, LOL. . . but any suggestions about exposure in this kind of situation (bright sunlight), or any other suggestions as to how to improve a shot like this, would be greatly appreciated!

[abayer83]

CRUD -- This is what I get for posting while listening to American Idol in the other room. . . is there a way I can transfer this post to the Critique section? Sorry, everybody!

EDIT: Thank you Saralonde for moving this for me!

[navcom]

Unfortunately you pretty much answered your question...time of day.

With the sun so high and the shells a relatively bright white in color, there isn't really anything you can do to help the exposure too much without adversely affecting the rest of the shot. It's simply a matter of contrast and quality of light which no filter or camera setting can change. With a lower sun, there will be shadows which will add to the contrast and also separate the shells from each other a bit giving them definition. Without the shadows, they all kind of blend together.

And unfortunately there isn't a "shadow" filter.

I know it's frustrating. When I was new I was convinced that there had to be a way to shoot stunning shots in the middle of the day. After all, that is when I was out and about and it was a pain in the neck to get up really early and I was too tired or had other plans late in the day. But the more I shot and was disappointed the more I realized that there isn't a way to get what isn't there to begin with. A polarizer can help with reflections and an ND grad can help control dynamic range but neither can add shadows or change the light from harsh to golden. Only mother nature can do that. So I had to alter my schedule to mother nature's schedule or forever be disappointed. And those times I had no choice because I simply couldn't return to the shot at another time?...just had to live with it.

Wish I had a better answer for you!

[abayer83]

Darn! lol. I live about 45 minutes away from the beach, so it's aggravating that I can't just pop over there for a little while any time I want to shoot. Thinking I'll try taking a trek out there soon later in the day, maybe stick around and try to get some sunset shots, too. I grew up on the Atlantic coast, and when I moved to the Gulf coast last November and discovered those sunsets. . . wow!

I wonder if it would help to boost the shadows a bit in PP. Will have to try that and see how it works out. Thanks for the input!

[navcom]

Half the trick with landscape photography is scheduling. I've grown to like the opportunity to get up early and head out when nobody else is out and about. It's a great stress reliever!

You can try messing around with the shadows in Photoshop. It will help a bit with the contrast but it won't help with the quality of light. There just isn't a substitute for good 'ol golden light.

...but that's a good thing! If it were super easy, your good shots wouldn't be special, would they?

...and between you and me, knowing about golden light is what separates you from the rest of the crowd...the little secret the pro's don't want you to know about!

[abayer83]

Haha, thanks for the tip! Think I will get up and head out early tomorrow morning, see what I can see. Most of the time I'm not up early enough for that, the alarm clock is my enemy. As is the ridiculous, all-hours-of-the-day Tampa traffic. Yuck!

[Lireal]

I realize this isn't what you asked about, but I did notice that the image isn't quite straight. In post, you can straighten fairly easily, and cropping the shells right up close would make the image look more crisp overall.

I love the colour (that's not misspelled, I'm Canadian :P) of the sky, but I agree with navcom, the time of day does make it a bit bright on the shell half.

Overall, good shot, but could be tweaked a little in post.
Keep on shootin'!

[abayer83]

Yeah, I did notice that it wasn't quite straight. Then I couldn't decide if it was the image, or if my head was screwy.

Thanks -- I love the colors, too. I have this image up on my Facebook page, and friends from Michigan keep asking me "Oh my GOD, do your beaches really look like that??????"

[mykadog]

Be there at sunset with scattered western clouds. Well worth the effort!

[MeAgain]

I have nothing to add about the photos. I just recognize that beach. It happens to be my #1 favorite place on earth.

Need a room mate? I do windows. Oh, and I can cook. To be only 45 minutes away would be a dream!