Exposure Isn't Everything

Sometimes perfect exposure doesn't always mean getting the shot that you're after. For example, in this fine-art photograph I wanted to give this stretch of Manhattan Beach  an ethereal appearance and therefore chose to use my histograms to over-expose the image, defying normal convention. This produced a somewhat dreamy effect helped by the already hazy conditions.

I really like this effect as it helps to draw attention to composition and color as well as creating a very specific mood. I'm therefore working on a series of these shots with a similar effect from different beaches. I've included another one here with a similar effect achieved from a beach in Miami. 

Tidal Pools

I found these really unique tidal pools on the outskirts of La Jolla whilst on a trip to Southern California last week. I loved how the rock formations and pools of water gave the beach an almost lunar-esque appearance and it provided plenty to work with in terms of interesting foreground subject and composition. Given that it was the holidays, I was fortunate that the beach was relatively empty and although I didn't quite get the sunset and clouds I was hoping for, here are two of my favourites from a great location. I'll definitely be heading back here soon! 

Flying High Above Miami

I won an incredible photography experience with NYonAir to shoot out a chopper high above Miami, a city which is experiencing an urban boom with real estate exploding, an ever expanding art scene and hordes of tourists flocking to its golden sand beaches...what better way then to document this awesome city than from high in the skies! 

Flying in a helicopter without doors allows for completely clear and stunning views; it also means that you can shoot uninterrupted throughout the flight and often almost straight down if you wish.

 What I really like about NYonAir which I will elaborate on in a further post from when I flew with them again in NYC, is that many of their pilots are also photographers. This means they have an understanding of how to maneuver the choppers to the best spots in order so that I could get the best shots. 

I flew at sunset just as the light was fading which presented a challenge as you need to keep a high shutter speed when shooting out a helicopter both due to it's obvious movement (they can travel up to 120mph) and the vibrations caused by the rotars. Therefore, I was constantly compensating during the flight with various ISOs and apertures in order to mean I got the right exposure to capture the lights just as they came on over South Beach, Ocean Drive and the various hotels and condominiums packed along the South Florida coastline. Below are a few of my favourite shots.