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Just A Matter of Time(ing)
August 17th, 2009
I shot these on Ko Samet last week. If you click the image it’ll go big so you can better see the info on them. If you look carefully you’ll see they were shot only 5 minutes apart. Both were tweaked only minimally in Lightroom. The reason I wanted to show you them is two-fold.
Reason One. Timing is everything.
Whether the image on the left or the right strikes you more than the other, it’s undeniable that the five minutes between captures was a vital 5 minutes. When we create an image, from the split-second difference between blinks to the 5 minute difference between sunset and dusk, is no small matter. Like every decision we make it has an aesthetic effect on the image and is really important. There’s a reason portrait photographers wait for just the right gesture – it’s the difference between a revealing image or one that presents no revelation at all. There’s a reason landscape photographers wait for just the right light. It doesn’t help make the image better, it makes the image. Period.
Reason Two. Time is everything.
The image on the left was shot at 5.0/seconds. The one on the right at 0.6 seconds. The slower shutter speed wasn’t chosen because I had no other way to create a good exposure, it was chosen for the effect it would have on the aesthetic of the image – in this case a blurring of wave details to create a feeling of calm. Again, not merely a detail, it was the reason I created the image, to re-create that feeling of calm. A faster shutter would not have done it.
I’m no expert on landscapes, these were creative assignments I gave myself to see if I could do it, to see what I could make of the light and the waves. It was an effort at intentionally working with what I had to create a mood that was present in the overall scene but not in any capture made at faster speeds. It reminds me of the ongoing debate about post-processing a little, reminds me of the “did it really look like that or did you do something in Photoshop?” questions we all get from the purists and the cynics. The answer, of course, is yes. And no. More to the point, it felt like this.
A couple weeks ago I wrote an article for the DPS site about Niches, Ruts, and Grooves. One of the ways I get out of my own ruts is intentionally jumping them with self-assigned work. Right now I’m studying the use of polarizers, variable ND filters and ND Grads, and the ways in which landscape photographers, like my friend Darwin Wiggett, use light. So many digital shooters are convinced that because skies can be darkened in Aperture, LR, or PS, filters are no longer needed, missing the point completely. Landscape shooters understand the way light and time work together in ways other photogs might not. I have no intention of being a landscape photographer, I don’t have the chops for it, but learning the discipline to learn from the discipline is proving to be incredibly helpful, inspiring, and fun. What I take back to my own area of expertise will sharpen my skillset, put me into a new groove and make me more valuable in my niche. It’ll do the same thing for you. Go shoot something you’ve not shot before, see what inspirations and lessons lie therein. 
Two other things. First, I’m hoping this is fixed before this post goes live but, well, if yer reading this, it ain’t. I installed a Word Press upgrade and it’s broken a couple things, like the Recent Comments. UPDATED – The legendary Henri fixed it. Move along citizen, nothing to see here.
Second, we’re dealing with a death in the family on this side of things so there might be a gap or two in this week’s postings. Go hug the ones you love, no one sticks around forever.
Firstly, my condolences. My thoughts are with you.
Both of these are lovely shots, but for me, the one on the left is the more attractive. It could be because that one most makes me want to go swimming in that cool water – it appears more refreshing than the warmer toned one, especially as I sit here in the tropical heat. Ask me again in winter, or when it’s rainy and I’ll probably feel differently.
I like your idea of creative assignments that you give yourself, especially of things you’ve not done before. I’ve just planned something similar that’ll probably be shot this Friday and will take me right out of my comfort zone.
My condolences David, a prayer from our side of the world is for you and your family.
The photos are fantastic, great job on them. Such different moods on them. Were they both set to the same WB setting?
I just came from a quick trip to Cambodia with friends and your book was fantastic, thanks for writing it.
Cheers from the Philippines,
Diego
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My condolences David. Time is everything..from our shots to our life and those around us. My prayers are with you and your family.
May I add my condolences to and prayers for you and your family to those above.
hey david, i recently attended a workshop on landscape photography and i totally agree with your point on the filters. one thing i realized is that by using these, you can actually achieve the vision or the emotion you want to convey in your image that you can’t achieve in LR, photoshop or aperture.
btw, great shots!
My symapthies for you and your families loss, I totally agree with hugging your family and letting them know you love them, you just never know what will happen.
I really like both shots, the left is totally inviting to me, the dock leads your eye to the water where you want to jump in. The right is serene. Thanks for sharing your creative assignment.
David, Condolence to you and your family. I am sure your family member is in a better place and in peace.
Great Point in this post and a very important one.
David, My condolences to you and your family.
You make a good point in this post about the importance of learning something new outside of our comfort zone in order to be better at what we normally do.
Both pictures work but on a different level. Like you said, the one on the left was shot with the intention of creating a feeling of calm. The one on the right does the opposite. The vivid colors awaken the senses, creating a certain unease, a feeling that a menace is fast approaching.
“polarizers, variable ND filters and ND Grads”
Now you’re drinking the right Kool-Aid David! And did I hear correctly that you’re looking at a tilt & shift lens?
Cheers,
Jeff
LOL, not if I end up buying filters, I’m not
Yeah, I’d love to explore both more fully. Filters first, I think.
Excellent post and great example with both images.
Also, sorry to hear about your loss. That’s never easy.
Jamie
Read about your loss on Twitter. I’m sorry to hear that, my condolences to you, your wife and the rest of the family.
The best of luck to you all!
My condolences, also. I never have been able to come up with my own words that I thought could truly comfort someone, just know that all who enjoy your work, words, and vision can also feel your pain.
p.s. I told you you would shoot something wonderful even without the saffron robes.
Sympathies for your loss, David.
It’s interesting that you say the blurred flag gives a sense of calm. Logically speaking, it means there is a wind which is does not portray calm. Yet, there is a sense of calm because of the softness of the flag. Visually language vs. logic. Cool!
Your beautiful open heart gives joy, encouragement and enlightenment to many people David… thank you for your pictures and your words – and your kindness in sharing your vision.
Thank you David, this is a very valuable message, and each time I learn something from here.
I had a question after looking at the image, 6:40pm shot is named as 1795 but 6:45pm shot is named as 1794, do you do custom naming on all the photos?
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Thanks for the post David, and God be with you and your family.
My condolences for your loss David. I know this might not be of any help, but remember that at the end of the day our beloved ones will live always … for as long as we breathe and smile they will always breathe and smile through us.
Beautiful shots, both of them … but I just love the left one, the calm and cool tones just make me feel that your image comes from another world, inviting you in.
First my condolences
to you and your family
I just lost my mother and going through the history of her life has been an amazing journey for me-completing the circle
and I so agree about counting our blessings and hugging our families and friends too
send all good wishes
I am always experimenting with with light and craft – my work has always been interpretive
and I am always asked how do I make the images- is
it photoshop ? I do the same things I used to do in the darkroom.I was a lith printer and no two images ever came out the same.I am always open to reacting to a surprise in my workflow…I welcome it.
I look to get in the groove where craft and vision merge
and really enjoy the infrared light spectrum
My condolences David…
I can’t help but wonder if the difference in the temperature is simply a matter of white balance. Are they still different with the same wb setting?
Yes, they are. The difference – at least in color temp- is due to the changing colour of the sky.
[...] I shot these on Ko Samet last week. If you click the image it’ll go big so you can better see the info on them. Continued here: Just A Matter of Time(ing) [...]
I think this has been one of my favorite posts while sifting through your archives. I will get home and notice the differences in the same scenes with varying lights. I end up liking them both but the hardest decision is to choose.