Ian Bramham's Photoblog
Sea Marker, Liverpool Bay
Posted by Ian Bramham (Manchester, United Kingdom) on 26 January 2009 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.
Edit: I've swopped the original square crop version of this photo for the unaltered 3:2 format that my camera produced as I prefer the top of the sky which is visible in this version.
The unusual light is a product of the stormy weather and the long 3 minute long exposure.
It was very windy on the coast with storm clouds rapidly moving in from the bottom of the frame and obscuring the lighter clouds higher in the sky to give this unusual effect.
When we were kids we used to swim out to this marker - not something I'd try these days even though the Mersey estuary is a lot cleaner these days.
For purchasing high quality archival prints of any of these photos you can send me an email by clicking here or by going to MY NEW WEBSITE where prices are listed in the gallery sections under each individual photo.
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Links to the websites of other photographers whose work I love and who have all helped me enormously over a long period of time. I find the work of all 3 to be inspirational.
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
Beautiful work Ian. I really like the tones, strong and soft. A sense of quiet, only the sound of he gulls...
26 Jan 2009 5:23am
@bluechameleon: Thanks Sharon!
613photo from DALLAS, United States
Awesome. Very unusual looking. I love how it seems like there's a spotlight on it.
Could be a different planet.
26 Jan 2009 6:43am
@613photo: Thanks!....I'm getting a little more experienced with these long exposures but they are never easy.
@Marie LC: Thanks Marie!
Jim (365,000 words) from Hunnebostrand, Sweden
It seems a tiny bit dark in places, but it's a very striking scene and composition.
26 Jan 2009 7:49am
@Jim (365,000 words): Thanks Jim....I sometimes go very dark with these type of images but perception of these things often depends on how each individuals computer screen is calibrated.
@missparis: 'Thanks' seems inadequate after 'très très beau' but thank you all the same :-)
Frida from Sweden
I love this picture, it seams a bit melancholy but the light in the background lifts the mood a bit.
26 Jan 2009 8:41am
@Frida: beauty sometimes has a hint of melancholy doesn't it.
@Ana Lúcia: Thanks Ana!...maybe I'm getting better at these long exposure photographs...that's a nice thought :-)
christian from France
Bonjour
Cette photo est très belle, et ton blog recel de magnifiques images
Bonne journée
26 Jan 2009 9:29am
@christian: That's very kind of you!....I'm really pleased that you like the photo and the blog.
@MadScientist: Thanks very much!
Cheryl from Texas, United States
wow....very beautiful. that long exposure is awsome
26 Jan 2009 1:04pm
@Cheryl: Thanks Cheryl!
@IanSmith: Thanks Ian....I've been looking at that sea marker most of my life but this was the first time I've tried photographing it.
@Daryl: Thanks Daryl!
Faon from Strasbourg, France
This is an amazing collection of pictures in your portfolio ! Extremly good work ...
26 Jan 2009 2:02pm
@Faon: Thanks Faon....I'm glad you like the photos!
@mo.langel: Thanks!...good photography should be about the essence of things .
@Michael Skorulski: Thanks Michael!
@Rui: Thanks.....I don't always get it right but I always try for simplicity whenever I can.
JWS from Flensburg, Germany
A very great picture! The presentation of the sea marker in the middle is well done! The dramatic clouds give atmosphere. Well done!
Take care!
26 Jan 2009 6:20pm
@JWS: Thanks very much JWS!
@Daniel: Thanks Daniel!
@Pascale: Thanks Pascale!
Mirko Herzner from Mühlheim am Main, Germany
Simplicity and symmetry make this image a special one. Really good!
26 Jan 2009 7:58pm
@Mirko Herzner: Thanks Mirko!....I always try for simplicity and directness in my photos even if I'm not always successful.
Darrius from Cardiff By The Sea, United States
love the tone and seeming simplicity.
26 Jan 2009 9:10pm
@Darrius: Thanks Darrius!....it's funny isn't it how hard it can be to achieve simplicity in photography.
Polydactyle from Montreal, Canada
Great minmalist compo and the atmosphere is always perfect! Very nice job with lighting. Bravo!
27 Jan 2009 1:09am
Nataly from Santa Monica, United States
This very beautiful photo, Ian! The marker in a spot light is magical and the very long exposure creates the painted look here.
29 Jan 2009 3:38pm
Nikon D40
181 second
F/5.6
ISO 200
105 mm (35mm equiv.)