What a Fast Shutter Speed Will Do For Water

Although generally I prefer a slower shutter speed for water, as I mentioned in a previous post, a fast shutter speed can be fun too. This is the fastest shutter speed my camera possesses: 1/4000 of a second. Many newer or more expensive cameras can go faster. But I enjoy how this turns the stream of water into droplets rushing to the bottom, as opposed to the smooth silk I showed you last time.

True Fans

Mouse over to see the original. 

Last week, if you had a stick to shake, you'd hit a Giants fan in San Francisco. Literally. And then you'd probably have to apologize a little, because although people were happy, they still probably wouldn't appreciate being hit with a stick. I mean, who does? Not me! You should have left your stick at home! Very irresponsible of you to bring it outside!

Anyway, fair weather fans were everywhere. I should know; I was one of them. That's why it made me smile to see this happy couple in their truck: it was clear that they were tried-and-true, dyed-in-the-wool fans. (If you can't read the flag it says GIANTS). And her smile just caps it all.

A View to the Horizon

Oh, two days without a post and my guilt complex is at its peak. I have been trying lately to be sooo good with the daily posting thing, with some success! but life does get in the way. Right now I'm sitting in a room that needs tidying, looking at a long to-do list, and feeling like procrastinating. Because it's beautiful outside today, and so that's where I should be. Not inside, paying obeisance to my machines.

So . . . it's a short post, and a simple photo for today. Hope you enjoy!

Miguel

It's been a while since I posted a portrait. This is Miguel, he's super cool, from Colombia, and we've been shooting together some recently, so I took the liberty of taking his portrait one evening in the park. He was very obliging, so thanks Miguel!

Making Tracks

Another beach image, the last one for a while, I promise. I'd be interested to hear which one you prefer of the two, if you're in the mood to leave a comment here.

Man! I am totally beat. Today was unseasonably warm here in SF, and I went to see the parade to celebrate the Giants winning the world series. It was hot, and crowded - so crowded that I barely saw the tops of the floats during the parade, and frequently only saw a sea of cameras in front of me as people tried to record what they couldn't see. Still, the energy of the croud was fab, especially when the players showed up at the end of the parade. I really felt like I was there for something historical. And then, you know, what with one thing and another it became a long day. But a good one. Time to hit the sack!

Anatomy of An Image, Week 4

One of the things that I love about this blog is that it forces me to finish things. I'm a big starter of projects, not always a finisher. But every day (or, you know, thereabouts) this blog forces me to finish. SOMETHING. Processing a photo. Writing a post. Hitting that Publish button. The orange one. All you Google worshippers know it (you smarmy, superior, our-blogging-platform-is-so-much-better-than-your-blogging-platform Wordpressers may have a button of another color - yolk, I yolk. No angry comments from Wordpress fans, please).

And once I make promises here I'm much more likely to fulfill them than when I make them silently in my head to myself. Like the promises not to put any more sugar in my coffee in the morning. (So delicious.) Or maybe stop drinking coffee. (Sooo delicious! And caffeinated!) Or always walk home from work instead of taking the bus. (So long and boring.) Or start that gosh-danged ebook we've been thinking about for so long. (So much work! New program learning! Gah!)

This Anatomy of An Image thing has been pushing my buttons this week. If this were week 1, I'd skip it. But because it's week 4, I feel like I owe you something, even though I don't think I currently have any images I want to talk about a lot. But here it is. Warts and all. But here, as I promised. And once I hit Publish I'll feel a lot better.

So, Basics
Lens: My magical, do-everything, now you think I only have one lens 17-55mm f/2.8
Focal length: 55mm
ISO 400 (It was pretty dark on the beach)
Aperture: f/2.8 (Did I mention it was dark?)
Shutter speed: 1/6 of a second (the sun had already set, you feel what I'm saying?)

The Story
I went to Ocean Beach for the beautiful light at the end of the day. Fortunately for me, I don't really like sunset photos, because I got there a little late for the sunset. But trusting in my magic lens, and my amazing handholding powers, I decided to take some photos despite the impending dark.

(Trick: set your camera to continuous shooting mode and take a lot of photos of the same thing in a row when  your shutter speed drops below handholding range. And hold your breath while you do. Guaranteed that at least one of those is going to be sharp enough to pass muster.)

So I took some photos of the waves, and some photos of the rocks, and some photos of the Cliff House. And then I saw this surfer, generously making a triangle with his surfboard, and I knew I had to have him. (Well, that's how the romance novel version of this story would go - in my version I had to have  . . . a picture of him. Not quite as dramatic. Also, probably a lot less messy and eventually heartbreaking when we both realized that I was never going to come out to the beach at dawn to watch him surf and almost get eaten by sharks. Ok by me.)

What I also love about the image is, of course, the colors. They are lovely, dusky colors, my favorite kind. And the curve of the road on the right hand side, and the water that brackets the surfer on both sides, silently gleaming blue. But my favorite part is the figure in the distance on the left side of the image, just looking at the water. It kind of makes the scene for me.

So  . . . there you have it. Week 4. Done! High five! See you next week!