Day 142 of 366: Capturing the Movement of Clouds at Werri Beach

Waiting for the Right Moment:

With the morning overcast, I decided to wait until the afternoon to see if the clouds would present a more interesting scene. As the day progressed, the sky began to show promise with more dynamic cloud formations. Eager to capture this, I headed down to Werri Beach. The subtle colours in the sky as the afternoon sun began to set hinted at a beautiful opportunity for a long exposure shot.

Day 142

Setting Up at Werri Ocean Pool:

Upon arriving at Werri Beach, I noticed the clouds moving quickly towards the north, creating an ideal situation for a long exposure photograph. I made my way to the cliff top above Werri Ocean Pool, aiming to capture the pool and the ocean while highlighting the dynamic movement of the clouds.

Placing my ND filters on the camera, I set up for a long exposure shot. I wanted to capture the serene water and pool contrasted with the streaking clouds, creating a sense of motion and stillness in the same frame. I opted for a 4-minute exposure to ensure the clouds' movement would be prominently featured in the final image.

 

The Long Exposure Process:

As the camera captured the long exposure, I kept an eye on the horizon for any signs of whales, as they have started their migration north for the winter. Although I didn’t spot any whales, I continued to take a few more long exposure shots, experimenting with different compositions to capture the essence of the scene.

Once I was satisfied with the long exposures, I switched to a long lens to capture some wave images before heading home. The waves crashing against the rocks provided a dramatic contrast to the peaceful ocean pool, adding another layer of interest to the shoot.

Exposure without ND filters

Editing the Images:

Returning home, I began the editing process with excitement. My goal was to bring out the dynamic contrast between the moving clouds and the still water of the pool. I adjusted the exposure and colours to highlight the delicate hues in the sky and the texture of the clouds. The 4-minute exposure created smooth, flowing lines in the clouds, emphasizing their movement across the sky.

Fine-tuning the image, I enhanced the contrast to make the clouds stand out against the serene backdrop of the ocean and pool. The final result was a striking image that captured the calm of the ocean pool and the energy of the fast-moving clouds, creating a sense of balance and harmony.

Reflecting on the Experience:

Today’s shoot was a reminder of the importance of patience and timing in photography. Waiting for the right moment allowed me to capture a scene that was both dynamic and serene. The combination of long exposure and careful composition resulted in an image that tells a story of movement and tranquillity. This experience reinforced my love for capturing the ever-changing beauty of nature and the satisfaction that comes from creating a visually compelling image.