One of my favorite places to hang out in California. The Santa Monica Pier. I actually want to move here eventually. This place is really awesome. The vibes are good and the crisp ocean air is truly amazing. I really enjoy watching the California sunsets from here, they are always epic. This particular day, it was cloudy and a bit cold but it was really good being out there. I miss it… I’m long overdue for a California trip.
Every time I get the chance to go to the West Coast of Florida to shoot the sunset I take it. This is one of my favorite spots on the coast, it is Naples pier. It is an really cool place to photograph of just watch the sunset.
I can’t think of a time when I shot a bad photo here. This was on a very overcast day, it looked like it was going to start pouring, so everyone left the beach. I had the entire place to my self, it was perfect.
I shot this with a 14-24mm Lens here are my settings:
244 seconds at f/22 ISO 50 on my Nikon D800 (no filters)
I have been photographing these lifeguard towers for the past 6 years. I have a series on them that took me 2 years to complete. They are all so different and so unique. Not one of them is the same.
There are a couple new ones that were recently put up, and they look really cool. This is the new 4th street lifeguard tower in Miami Beach. I have been getting up to check out the sunrise just about every other morning and photograph this things. I just find them super cool.
When you are out there you have to remember to keep moving around as the sun starts to come up. The light will start changing quickly so you have to think on your feet and try to get as many compositions as you can during sunrise.
Here is another article I wrote on long exposures and using ND filters to create amazing photos check it out. Drop me a line on the comments below.
These are all shot with a 10 stop ND filter and range from 60 seconds to 120 seconds.
Here is a video I put together on how I edit my long exposure photos. I always try to get close to what I picture in my head with my camera settings, this way I do not have to spend too much time on the computer and more time out shooting.
There is something magical about the Everglades, and as I often do, I headed out to the Everglades last weekend. This is the time of year to go, the weather is cool (not as hot I should say) and the mosquitos are not too bad.
Once I got there I realized that there was no clouds, so I headed to my favorite spot and waited until the sun had set, once it started to get dark the clouds started coming. It was perfect, I put my camera on bulb mode and started shooting.
By the way I have a Capturing the Everglades Workshop coming up, you should come join me.
Here are a few favorites from the other day.
What is an ND filter? What is it for? How do you use it?
ND or Neutral Density filters are dark filters and are designed to reduce the amount of light reaching the sensor of your camera in order to increase exposure times, without affecting the color of the image.
There are many different manufacturers, and if you decide to get one, make sure you don’t get a cheap one. This filters usually start from light and go to really dark. They reduce your F-stop by 1 stop, 2 stops, etc. etc.
I like to use a 10 stop filter. This is a very dark filter, it reduces light by ten stops. You have to set up your shot before you attach your filter. Here is a video I made on how to use these filters.
This is the filter I use for all my daytime long exposures. 77mm 3.0 ND MRC 110M Filter, Every photo here has been shot with this exact filter, and I could not be happier.
So when do you use these filters? I like to use them when the weather is crazy, usually when the clouds are visibly moving really fast and the colors are vibrant. During sunrise and right after sunset is usually a good time.
You can use these filters in the day time that’s how you get the crazy movement of the clouds. Below are a few examples of how I use these filters. All these photos are shot in bulb mode and are from 1-3 minute exposures.
Have you ever used one?
American Airlines Arena, I shot this from a friends pool. Believe it or not his building has a pool on the roof with an amazing deck and an incredible view.
The first time I was there the pool was closed for renovations, I was so sad to hear the news because I knew the potential this place had for some great photos. Luckily for me a few days later the pool was back in action.
Camera Settings:
25 seconds f/16 ISO 100
Erotic Desires Podcast