Waves and Rough Weather.

Bournemouth Pier with waves crashing through the arches.

Another grey day in Bournemouth, but not the rain that was forecast. A fairly pleasant walk into town. Looking across the water heading towards Pier Approach, the waves crashing against the pier caught my eye.

I made my way down to the beach and the water’s edge, to get a low angle. Having selected the composition of the shot, it was then a case of catching the waves to best effect.

Here, of course, is the major advantage of digital photography. With film, taking multiple shots would be a luxury. With digital, it is easy to take several – in this case, following the course of a wave, or simply taking various waves and choosing the best.

Having made the most of the rough weather at the beach, it was a case of editing the photograph. On a grey day like this, a photograph can look very flat and dull. The image was chosen for the best waves. Highlights and shadows were then adjusted, so that the wave under the pier could be seen clearly. An HDR effect was then added to create some warmth in the image – which has actually given it a bit of a period effect. The sky has also become more dramatic, enhancing the feeling of the rough weather.

Photograph Details

• Taken: 2 Feb 2017
• Camera: Canon 5D MkIII
• Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm 1:2.8 L II USM
• Focal Length 45mm
• F/5
• 1/160 Sec
• ISO 400