Revisit locations for stronger photos

There’s something about working a regular location that allows for stronger photos.

When you only work a place once, you only have one lighting scenario. You also tend to think, “Ah I’ve got the shot I want.” Second, third and even the 12th visits yield better photos as you explore and experiment more. Here are some images and the thought process from a recent visit to a well visited place.

Tripod

Last time I was at this location, I hadn’t bothered to bring my large tripod. I can still be a little lazy in that regard. As shown by this day of image capture having the full size tripod was inducement to explore my OM System OM-1 in-camera ND filters and HDR. I know from past experience that I can handhold with many of these features but quality and thinking go up with the full size tripod.

Exposure bracket

With the red rocks bathed in full sun along with the left side of the creek and dappled sun throughout banked by full shade made for a LOT of dynamic range. Having the camera on the tripod ensures better alignment of the images when it’s time for post production.

Bracket of two stops over/under the ‘correct’ exposure.

While it is a little older software I feel like I attain solid, and believable, HDR results with Aurora 2019 HDR. I’m not a fan of overcooked HDR that screams HDR. As long as the dynamic range is tamed, I am a happy camper. Here’s a link to another exposure bracket article from the same location.

Following processing to blend images to tame dynamic range. Aurora HDR 2019 and Photoshop

In-camera OM-1 ND filter

Tripod stretched across the creek with a ten second exposure. OM-1 in-camera ND 64 filter includes repetition of the ten second exposure five times to slow the water movement. 40mm 10 sec. @ f/22 ISO 200 In-camera ND 64

I can use computational means with OM System ND filters. No need for accessory filters to determine exposure. The camera makes multiple exposures then processes them. Anything that is moving, such as the creek in this instance, keeps adding exposure, showing more movement. The red rocks are not moving. No additional exposure is added. It’s kind of like taking five images into Photoshop and layering them together using the Mean filter. It’s a simple smoothing filter that replaces each pixel value with the average intensity of its neighboring pixels.

14mm lens (28mm full frame equivalent field of view) 6 sec. @ f/22 ISO 200 In-camera ND 64.

Cropping

Here’s a different crop of this image from the header, ND filter and here. I’m torn between the header and this one. What do you think? Drop a comment below. 40mm 10 sec. @ f/22 ISO 200 In-camera ND 64

Once you have a solid image captured you can almost always make improvements with a crop.
A different crop can render a different story. Or remove elements that can be a distraction. Always a fine idea to play with crops from square to panoramic to just a little trim.

Gear

• Camera: OM System OM-1 (here’s the current flagship Mark II)
• Lenses: OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO, M.Zuiko 7-14mm f/2.8 Pro
• Tripod: Fotopro T-Roc Max Tripod with Platyball Elite ball head

Here’s a link to a recent article from a previous visit to the same location. Note the differences a different day makes.

Yours in Creative Photography,

Bob

• Posted on December 9, 2024