#304. Wave action and a 40 year old lens

By Paul Perton | Travel Photography

Dec 26
Christmas storm

Christmas storm

The flu that struck knocked both of us down in our last couple of days in Tokyo seems to finally be done. This morning, I got up and thought that the light was just what I’d choose if I were to go out and shoot some landscapes somewhere and felt like doing it.

It’s impossible to live near the ocean and not be aware that there is a big sea running – you can feel vibration of the waves crashing ashore. When it started last evening, I imagined that it was just a big tide. When I went to look out of the front of the house early this morning, the sun was still below the nearby Kogelberg mountains – and the light was exactly the kind of soft light we all get out of our beds for.

 

Christmas storm

 

Now, whether I feel great, or not I don’t need to go anywhere except to the garage and get my tripod from the car and upstairs to grab a Nikon.

It’s been several years since I’ve seen wave action like this – there must be a hell of a storm going on somewhere out in the South Atlantic.

For the technically inquisitive, these were all shot with a Nikon D800e and a four decade old 500mm fixed aperture f8 Nikkor at ISO 800. Aged it might be and have a very, very shallow DoF, but it turns in some fantastic images nonetheless.

Christmas storm

Christmas storm

Christmas storm

Christmas storm

Christmas storm

Christmas storm

Christmas storm

Christmas storm

  • Ken says:

    Some lovely images here. Eloquent and persuasive use of color, and a wonderful use of softness to photograph power.

  • Philberphoto says:

    Wonderful images, Paul! What a sendoff for the year! My favorites are the first and penultimate. Though that one feels like it leans a bit to the right. Is that an illusion? And my best wishes for the New Year!

    • paulperton says:

      Thanks Philippe,

      Not sure about the penultimate shot. I think it’s just the very narrow field of view and massively compressed perspective. Also bear in mind that while the huge (8m) waves were crashing ashore, the previous wave(s) were receding, which would doubtless also look like a distinct tilt.

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