I grabbed the opportunity to use the beach between Sandsend and Whitby on a hot weekend towards the end of the summer, while there were still plenty of people around. I chose a time when the tide was high, so people were more concentrated in the areas of beach that were useable.
I used two cameras again: the D200 with 170 – 500 mm lens and the D300s with 18 – 200 mm lens. Fir this exercise I was able to use the tripod, which was an advantage when using the longer lenses. I took almost 600 images in 1.5 hours – without being shouted at, and without upsetting anyone (to my knowledge).
On the beach people tend to claim their own little areas to do their own things in (with a few exceptions) but they’re generally discrete groups of people and interesting to watch:
D300s, ISO 200, 36 mm (54 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/22, 1/100 sec.
With the lens at ‘standard’ setting there’s a realistic portrayal of the stretch of the beach towards Whitby. Many people use this stretch for walking, as can be seen in the nearest group and then again further up the beach. There are several types of walkers:
D200, ISO 100, 500 mm (750 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/6.3, 1/320 sec.
The long lens has shortened the perspective, but the focus of the lone walker separates her from the rest of the scene. She’s obviously walking for the opportunity to be alone. Her folded arms show that she wants no contact with anyone else. She’s hiding under her hood. This type of walking gives her the freedom to be alone with her thoughts.
D200, ISO 100, 340 mm (510 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/6, 1/250 sec.
Here’s another type of walking – walking for the sake of the walking. There’s no attempt to look around to see what’s going on around her – just walking to get the required exercise. But she looks happy to be doing it, so no problem. She’ll be happy getting and staying fit and that’s reward enough. These long lens settings mean that the subjects can be a long way off and don’t realise they’re being photographed – easy for me!
D300s, ISO 200, 24 mm (36 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/4.5, 1/2000 sec.
Power walking and proud of it – another walk for the sake of the walking, but this time it’s more serious. There’s no sign of any enjoyment – it’s just something that needs to be done. The wide angle has distorted the walkers to some degree, but the perspective has lengthened the beach, making it look as though it stretches much further than it really does. Looking further along the beach there’s lots to be seen. Look at the people in the sea and look at the couple walking together for the enjoyment of the stroll – that’s what it’s all about for me!
D300s, ISO 200, 105 mm (157 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/5.3, 1/1000 sec.
Walking the dog – and looking for a site to pitch the windbreak. What’s going on behind the walker has an impact on this image. It puts the walker into context of being a part of the many varied activities on the beach – all working together in their individual interests. It’s also quite clear that I’m invisible again!
D200, ISO 100, 500 mm (750 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/6.3, 1/320 sec.
Walking to the surfing group with his kayak, this man is just getting on with what needs to be done in order to enjoy himself – a bit of deferred! The narrow depth of field and shortened perspective of this long lens works well to separate the subject from the background while the background gives him a sense of place.
D200, ISO 100, 500 mm (750 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/6.3, 1/640 sec.
Now we move on from the walking to the surfing. I changed the shutter mode to high speed continuous shooting to make it easier to capture ‘the moment’. It’s the waves that make this image, but the thrill of the ride can be seen. I kept the ISO setting low to keep better clarity and the aperture fairly wide to allow a reasonably fast shutter speed – I was more interested in freezing the action for this image rather than one which showed the water movement, although that could have been an interesting option.
It was interesting to see the launching of the kayaks – they obviously had to be sealed up before entering the water so the canoeist had to seat himself in the kayak and seal the canopy on the beach, then wait for a wave to reach him – it looked quite comical seeing a fully kitted up man sitting in a kayak on a dry beach!
D200, ISO 100, 360 mm (540 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/6.3, 1/1000 sec.
Long lenses are needed to get this close to the action. The shutter speed has frozen the water into what looks like plastic. The surfer’s concentration and grip on his paddle are evident here as he takes on board what appears to be a wall of water. It looks as though there’s a real buzz to be had from this sport – more than can be seen on the usual surf board.
D200, ISO 100, 360 mm (540 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/6.3, 1/320 sec.
Looking back onto the beach we now see the family day out, with mother helping the daughter in the finer points of mining. Again, the long lens allows close up images without the subjects being aware that they’re being photographed – not that it matters when the photographer is invisible, but it’s best not to risk upsetting people!
This kind of activity is what the majority associate with a day on the beach, along with the windbreaks, buckets and spades and real sand sandwiches.
D200, ISO 100, 380 mm (570 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/6.3, 1/250 sec.
These two are using chipping hammers – usually used for fossil hunting – to vary their mining techniques. This is an unusual application, but it’s all part of the family day out. Just good clean(ish) fun. The moment of impact has been caught as the hammer displaces the wet sand.
D300s, ISO 200, 170 mm (255 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/5.6, 1/1250 sec.
Beach barbecues are another feature. This image captures a small part of what was a fairly high level, with champagne and a serious cooking fest. Everyone totally engrossed in their own interactions and not at all interested in the camera or anyone else come to that.
D200, ISO 100, 400 mm (600 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/6.3, 1/320 sec.
Here’s another barbecue, but at a much more personal level. This is the place to go for a barbecue if you don’t have a garden and this couple certainly seemed to be enjoying it. No fuss. No overt display. They’re just enjoying the experience together. They brought out a couple of cans later and enjoyed their efforts.
D200, ISO 100, 500 mm (750 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/6.3, 1/320 sec.
So this is the beach where you can be free to do almost anything you like. Inhibitions seem to disappear because you’re in your own little world, doing what you want to do. I think this image shows that freedom and peace of mind. The out of focus background figures enhance this, leaving the subject the only significant person on the beach.
D200, ISO 100, 500 mm (750 mm equivalent 35 mm), f/6.3, 1/400 sec.
Here’s that captured moment – Father and daughter enjoying each other’s company as they walk in the sea. There’s enough suggested detail in the background to show the place, so they’re placed in context and their smiles say it all. There’s nowhere like the beach when the weather’s fine!
I’ve really enjoyed this exercise. Being so invisible or inconsequential to others on the beach has been quite an eye opener. The ease of capturing these images has really surprised me.
No comments:
Post a Comment