Long Exposures with 4 stop GND Filters
The following shots were taken with a Singh Ray 4 stop reverse Neutral Density (ND) filter. Using a high stopped filter like this between nautical and civil twilight helps a great deal to balance the foreground with the intensity of the sunrise. The fact that I selected the reverse helps even more as it is blocking 4 stops of that bright light on the horizon. Blocking so much light in the top section of the images allows you to increase the shutter speed to capture the “wave mist effect” (is there an official name for this?).
Using a long exposure like this illustrates the fact that these rocks have stood here for a very long time, and they have slowly over thousands of years have gotten smaller as each wave crashed over them.
Location: Fingal Head, New South Wales, Australia
Date/Time: 13/09/2008 05:26:42
Location: Coolum Beach, Queensland, Australia
Date/Time: 30/08/2008 05:49:21
Cleveland Storm
With several cells being reported on BOM I decided to get in the car and check it out. Reports when I left said the two cells were heading north east. I decided on Cleveland Point as this would be in the storms path, as well as the unrestricted view at Cleveland Points.
Unfortunately the storm didn’t stay on its original path. Instead heading more north (over the city). None the less was a great light show from Cleveland. I believe nature was playing tricks on me, every time I wasn’t ready there would be a spectacular lightning strike, and hence miss it. Below is the best shot from the storm:
Here are some shots just focusing on the lightning:
Brisbane Storm
As predicted by the Weather Bureau a storm made its way accross South East Queensland late yesterday. I watched the alerts on BOM for about an hour before deciding to go out. I initially drove east towards the gateway away from the storm to setup somewhere and wait for it to come to me, but at last minute I decided against that. I turned around and headed in towards the storm.
Around the time I got to the city they reported on the radio that it looked to be dieing off. So I pulled up at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. What was great is that it never actually rained, there were a few drops here and there but nothing to force you to pack up the camera.
I was there for about 2 hours, and I took just over 600 images. With only about 6 or so of any good. Basically I had the camera in bulb mode and I counted out the seconds for the perfect exposure for the city skyline. If there was no lightning in this time I would close and re-open the shutter and count again. If there was lightning I would instantly close the shutter, disregarding the initial count.
This is what I came up with:
BOM is now reporting storms again this afternoon. There is currently a cell on the QLD/NSW border, thats a bit far for me to travel today. I will keep watching to see what develops closer to home.
Fingal Head
On Saturday morning I made my way down to Fingal Head on the Queensland and New South Wales border. Such a great spot, spent a good while here on the northern side of the headland.
Nature delivered a fantastic morning, from the moment I arrived the sky was so vibrant. I watched (and quickly snapped away with my camera) as the sky shifted through some amazing peachy/pastel colours.
I used my 4 stop Singh-ray Reverse Graduated ND Filter on this shot below. This allowed me to hold back the intesity of the sky at the horizon, at the same time giving much needed light to the foreground.
While the shot below is black and white, I did infact take this with my Gold-n-Blue polariser (pointless? maybe… I just prefer the saturated blues the filter delivers. Which when used in conjunction with photoshop’s black and white adjustment layer, make the black and white contrast range explosive.)
While I was at Fingal Head for a while, I did not take that may photos. I spent some time sitting on a rock with my notepad trying to collect my thoughts for an article I am trying to write. Writing really isn’t my thing.
Time to start planning for this weekend now.
Coolum Beach
Currumbin
Noosa Heads
Point Arkwright
Another early rise for a drive up the coast this Saturday to Point Arkwright (Just below Coolum Beach). Another fantastic area, I definitely have to spend a weekend up around this area.
On a side note I am going to start to make prints available for my photos. Stay tuned 
If anyone has any suggestions as to which photos should definitely be in print let me know
Hastings Point
Made my way down to Hastings Point just inside the New South Wales border on Saturday.
Was a long morning, I left at 4am for an hour and a half drive, I didn’t get back till lunch time. Having said that I really like it down around Fingal Heads, Kingscliff, and Hastings Point. I plan to go back there again (maybe in 2 weeks) focus on the southern side of Hastings Point. I might look to make a weekend of it. If anyone is interest let me know.
I spotted this shell in a rock pool, I thought it was pretty cool. It is now sliding around with me in my car so this probably isn’t the last time you will see it
Brisbane
Are you tired of Brisbane City? Nah I’m not.