As a self-confessed introvert’ being able to spend time in a coastal environment offers me the welcomed challenge to define line, shape and form out of an otherwise complicated environment. It is this emotional outlet and creative expression which has allowed me the opportunity to use the ocean as my canvass to not only paint my feelings but break away from the confinements of time superimposed by daily routines. Many of the pictures I make are of subjects that most people would simply walk past and yet are hugely exciting.
Whether it's spending time in the vast openness of a particular space or an intimate scene viewed close-up, landscape photography continues to allow me the pleasure of capturing the beauty and grandeur of unspoiled nature through the lens of my 📷
An arboreal victim of coastal erosion this decaying remnant presented itself as a breathtaking subject for the perfect minimalistic image. Manually focussing on the main part of the tree with my default aperture of f/11 and an ISO of 100 I attached my Formatt Hitech 10-Stop ND Firecrest Filter to expose what I can only describe as a dynamic yet ethereal image.
When I packed my bags on this particular day I had no idea we would be blessed with such amazing clouds, especially given the fact that the weather forecast had predicted clear skies. Nonetheless I decided to head out with the intent to make an image according to the weather conditions and the prevailing light. Thankfully this lead me to a location I am quite familiar with and even though arriving late I was able to make an exposure I’m quite happy with and proudly share on my portfolio.
When I got out of bed this morning and headed out the door at 3:00 am I couldn't help but hope that I had correctly guessed the time it would take me to journey to Port Antonio to make the sunrise image I had preconceived in my mind all week. Had I made the drastic mistake of not navigating the distance and time according to Google Maps? Moreover would the weather conditions hold as indicated by my trusty weather app, 'Clear Outside'. As I turned the key in the ignition I looked across at my wife and gave her a smile and began our long journey. There's no way I was about to tell her I had not checked the distance. By the time the clock indicated it was 4:30 am we had just arrived at Hope Bay and it was at this point I realized how grave a mistake I had made. This was clearly more than an hour drive. There was absolutely no way we would reach our destination and frame a suitable composition to capture Sunrise at 5:55 am. Yet what could I do? There was no turning back. Onward and upward. At 6:00 we finally arrived at the location. We'd already missed first light. As I took my camera out of my bag I noticed that it was completely moist due to the sudden change in temp which simply meant I would have to wait an additional 10-15 minutes before turning it on regardless of the fact that both it and the lens attached were weather sealed. The last thing I wanted was to get moisture on the sensor. With not enough time to get picky I quickly framed up the simplest composition I could find which I must say was a total cliche, attached my filter holder with a 3 Stop hard edge ND Grad filter and a 10 Stop ND filter and pressed the shutter. The result is an image which is titled, "LANDING" and one I'm quite happy with. And although it certainly isn't going to win any awards the entire experience was quite enjoyable and one I'm happy to share.
One of the many pleasures of landscape photography is adapting the sometimes adverse conditions mother nature throws at us. Yet, it’s not about trying to work against, but instead learning how to work with these conditions to see a new landscape and the opportunity to work within the texture and rhythm with the varying light.
For a long time I've looked at this scene struggling how to make an image that I'd like. Whether it was the overgrown evergreen or the continuous rain and lightning I was never able to walk away with an image that I felt showcased this powerful and yet ethereal landscape. Thankfully I was blessed on this day with the perfect conditions which seemed all to lend themselves to both my struggle and inevitable success to make an image I am quite proud of, "FOG AND GOLD".
One of the most difficult aspects of being a Landscape Photographer is making it out the front door. When you find yourself going to bed at midnight only to wake up at 3:00am to shoot a planned location not knowing for sure what the weather will be like, simple tasks like packing your gear can easily become a challenge. Thankfully every now and then we're rewarded with an image which makes the effort worthwhile. This was one of those days. We opted to shoot this otherwise busy location on a Sunday morning with the hopes of creating a somewhat quiet image contrary to the bustling atmosphere for which this location is renown. The classic Nissan Sunny seen on the left was driven by one of the security guards who arrived moments before I set up my camera. Of course I could have removed it during post processing however my wife and I felt it gave this location a bit of character. Notably this was our 5th time shooting this location however this was the only morning I was able to create my own unique perspective.
Thank you for stopping by and we hope you'll enjoy this image.
When I set out to shoot this scene at Sunset one of the things I had hoped for was some, 'dramatic lighting'. Having already checked the cloud forecast via the Skippysky website and the angle at which the Sun would be setting with relation to the buildings and distant mountains, it was my intention to make an image to reflect the spirit and vibrancy of this popular tourist destination. Though we never got the dramatic colors all was certainly not lost. By combining series of selective moments in time I was able to create an image that not only captivates the business and commerce aspect of New Kingston but also the notorious nightlife for which this sleepless city is known for.
An amazing sunset view from Port Royal Street overlooking the Kingston Harbor and Downtown Metro.
I’ve always loved the structure of waterfalls and streams. Delicately shaped; their finely sculptured branches hanging out over soft stones offers well-balanced compositions that not only capture the atmosphere of a scene but shows them at their best.
These past months watching the world struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of contemplation. A time for me to think about what sort of images I want to take and wonder whether I was after all, a landscape photographer in any traditional sense. For this reason I've had to revisit my work and what I realized was that most if not all of my images have been fairly intuitive. You see, I seldom follow any compositional rules, follow any sort of plan or even pre-visualize anything. What I realized is that my photos are about more about the structure of the natural world, whether it was the organic architecture of the local woodland or the rock formations of the slightly more distant coast.
My latest image title, "EROSION" and one that speaks true to myself as a landscape photographer is an expression of the unavoidable truth that everything has a different order of time.
One of the lures of landscape photography is pulling on my boots and hiking for a few hours into the majestic mountainous landscape. And yet while there are no guarantees for the right light and conditions - when everything comes together there is nothing quite like pointing my camera towards the mountains watching the mist gently sinking to the peaceful valleys below as the Sun paints the ridges with it’s golden light.
Paradise Isle is a location I have struggled with since my first visit. The question of whether these northerly facing peaks would be best shot at sunrise or at sunset was one undoubtedly one of the most difficult decisions I have ever faced as a Landscape Photographer. Coupled with the lack of Autumn colors within the foreground vegetation I had often contemplated whether this was just one of those scenes which though pleasant to look at simply wouldn't make a great image. It was only by spending the entire day in this location from sunrise to sunset did I arrive at the conclusion that regardless of the fantastic cloud inversion at sunrise, the best exposure by contrast would only come at sunset. The image I've uploaded and choose to share titled, "Paradise Isle" was created from numerous exposures over a 13 hour period. I hope you'll enjoy this image as much as I did making it.
Immersed in the changing colors and falling leaves as I often struggle with the challenge of deciding what to include and what to exclude from the overwhelming mass of different shapes, colors and textures. It is only by spending time walking around, taking in my surroundings, thinking, and searching for compositional elements such as repetition, or a series of straight trunks complemented by patches of complementary colours have I been able to create these images with a heightened sense of mood and mastery.
