Zenith Beach Danger
Phase One XF, IQ180, 23mm Rodenstock, f8 @ 36 seconds, ISO 35

I can’t remember exactly what the sign said. Falling rocks, most likely. However, that was the last thing on my mind as those approaching clouds above the horizon were full of rain. These days, we call storms and Southerly Busters a ‘weather event’, but that is so clinical and unemotive. Surely there’s more to weather like this.

Of course, normally when I’m at home, I’d shelter inside with a hot cuppa tea and watch the clouds race past the window. However, if I’m travelling, often on a photo tour, there is some bravado required, no matter what the weather conditions.

And how true it is: no matter what the weather is like ‘right now’, you always go out to take photographs because you never know ‘what might happen’!

Well, we could see the storm approaching. We knew what would happen eventually. The clouds were really low, dark and voluminous. And they were moving quickly. When the weather is coming in like this, it’s amazing how long a thirty second exposure takes!

With a 10-stop neutral density filter and a sturdy tripod, during the 36-second exposure, the clouds moved a little and the sea and breaking waves moved a lot. Already the photograph is less about reality and more about atmosphere and impressions.

But what I wanted to present was the foreboding darkness. I already had the clouds, so it was just a matter of darkening the beach and the headland. Yes, you can see where I have created a pool of light over the single sign, it’s far from subtle, but I’m not shying away from the approach. Already the sky is blurred, the waves are blurred, why not create a sense of artificial light over the sign? It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but rather than looking at this scene as a photograph, think of it as an interpretation. An impression. An experience.

You can see more of my Australia portfolio on my personal website: https://www.petereastway.com/portfolio/explorations/australia?ct=2