This week’s images have all been from the same location: Folly Beach, Charleston, South Carolina. When I get to a new place, I usually start out with the wide-angle shot that encompasses a large area and then really work the scene moving in closer and closer, eliminating elements from the scene to create more abstract compositions.
This is one of the first images I made.
In this shot, I moved a bit closer to the pier.
In Tuesday’s post I showed an image which isolated one section of the pier, but still included the beach, ocean, pier and sky. In Wednesday’s image, I cut out the sand and the sky above the pier as I got closer.
When the sun finally rose, I had made my way down the beach and was standing right next to the pier. At that point, when the bright light flooded the scene, I changed the angle I was shooting by aiming down the pier to eliminate the sun from the frame. I really liked how the waves rushed under the pier crashing into the pilings, the sunlight reflecting off the splashes.
When you “work the scene” it is most important to remember what attracted you to the scene in the first place. This is not about randomly taking snapshots with different perspectives. It is about focussing your attention more closely on the most important aspects of the scene and thinking of compositions that will portray these aspects in the best way.
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All content © 2013 by Anne McKinnell Photography
Gorgeous light and beautiful comps. Nice job Anne.
Chris Frailey recently posted..Early Morning
Thank you very much Chris, I appreciate your comments.
This is tremendous series of images, Anne – each one adds another strand to the story. I like your idea of ‘working the scene’; I think that’s a very solid concept – it’s so easy to get carried away and be ‘snap happy’. I think when we shot on film, we were more careful as each image shot cost money!
LensScaper recently posted..Visiting the Museum
Hi Andy, yes I think that’s true, when each click costs money we were more cautious. One thing I have been meaning to try lately is to go out and only allow myself to click the shutter once and that would force me to make very careful decisions on the composition. On the other hand, digital has allowed us to become more creative since we can try different things with no risk.
Amazing and wonderful photos combined with such great photographic education.
Thank You Very Much
Jon
Thank you so much Jon! Great to see you here by the way.
What a wonderful series of images Anne.I just LOVE that last one. Very powerful.
Great advice about working a scene.
Len Saltiel recently posted..Early Morning Sentry
Thank you very much Len! It was one of the best photoshoots I’ve had lately. After being up in the mountains and having so many days coming home with mediocre images it was very fulfilling to get this collection.
Anne I sit hear at my computer in awe. Each of these images are outstanding…I don’t know what to say except…WOW!
Edith Levy recently posted..The Glass Ceiling
Awww, thank you so much Edith! Wow, it’s hard for me to imaging someone looking at *my* images in awe. That really means a lot to me.
Wow Anne I really love this series of images! Such great work! I think the last one has to be my favorite! Fantastic!
Rachel Cohen recently posted.."Peeling Paint n Bare Branches"
Thank you very much Rachel, I really appreciate your comments.
I like this series, gives a good insight into the editorial process. The shots under the pier are terrific as well. Well done.
Kris Koeller recently posted..Madison Square Park via an iPhone 4S
Thank you Kris, I’m glad you find the post insightful. I have found my images greatly improved when I started paying more attention to what draws me to the scene in the first place and trying to get closer and closer to whatever that is.
Awesome! The photos are great, light, colors, subjects, exposures, everything
Uwe recently posted..Selective Fall
Thank you so much Uwe, I really appreciate all your kind words and support.
Lovely collection of images, they all work together very well.
Tom recently posted..Photographing Events: Dark and Dingy
Thank you very much Tom, I appreciate your visit and comments.
Wow…these are absolutely awesome images. And I really appreciate how you have patiently explained how and how you took these…
I am a follower now
Siddhartha Joshi recently posted..Socializing in Jaipur…camera on rest!
Thank you Siddhartha, I’m glad you like the blog and find the details useful. Please feel free to ask if you ever have any questions, I’m always glad to share my techniques.
Those are amazing photos, really love the mood they give you !
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Thank you Amanda, it was an incredible morning at Folly Beach. Definitely worth the early morning alarm.
Such lovely images!
Keep it up Anne, I love the pictures,keep posting them.
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Thank you so much for your visit and comments Athony!
Wow. This series also has me awestruck. I too am sitting here in amazement. These photos are so beautiful. The moment I saw the second photo I also heard the gentle lapping and gurgling of the waves coming in and then receding. I could actually hear the waves. Your photos are just perfection. The minute, the grandiose, the movement, the quiet, the light and the dark, all captured. I can’t wait to see more. What a gift you have Anne. Betty
Thanks again Betty, I really appreciate your taking the time to write such kind words about my photography. That is what inspires me to keep going on those days when I wonder why I am doing it. I wish I could put the words with the images like you do, that’s something I am working on.
Fabulous images and post Anne, thanks. One reason I like your posts – apart from the photos! – are the insights into your creative process, how you approached the scene and why you took the pictures you did. It always makes me think about how I often rush things too much, and just need to take more time an ‘settle down’ into a scene a bit! I love the shots under the pier and the light catching the spray. Paul, UK.
Hi Paul, thank you so much for your wonderful comment. I think we all tend to rush ourselves when we get to a place, especially when we know that magic light is only going to last a short time, so we rush to try and get as many shots as we can. I always try to slow myself down. Sometimes I even tell myself that it’s just a scouting kind of photo shoot and I’ll make my “real” images the next day and I find by doing so I give myself the time I need to get the good shots the first time. I very much appreciate your visit and comments Paul.