This image is a variation of a beach rock photo I did nearly 10 years ago. Checking the time stamp, it was exposed about 15 minutes before the one I developed back then. It’s a bit different in composition, with different varieties of rocks. I am not sure why it sat for so long untouched. Perhaps a few technical flaws that bothered me that I was able to mostly fix in post now. I simply took the raw exposure and developed it as if it were a recent one. Perhaps more importantly, developed it using any aesthetic preferences I may have acquired (or left behind) over the years.
Great Lakes beaches are quite well-known for the variety of rocks you may find. Rockhounds from around the state (as well as visitors) are quickly spotted along the shorelines, with eyes to the ground as they walk, hoping to have a particular favorite jump out at them. Careful observers may be rewarded by everything from beautiful agates to fossilized coral from the region’s oceanic past. Usually, I can never resist picking up a few flat basalt stones to see if I can beat my own personal rock-skipping record.
Of course, they can also be a trap for a photographer. With infinite compositions available, you can get quite particular about the individual rocks you want to have in the frame, spending hours in just a small area. I suppose the pictures can be a trap for a rockhound as well – picking out which ones they would have picked up. However, as with many photographs, there can be a bit of unintended deception in the selective framing of a particular scene. You don’t really know what is excluded from the image. Exaggeration from a close-focusing, wide-angle lens helps with this dramatic, seemingly endless rocky beach perspective.
Revisiting these exposures reminded me I am overdue for a return visit to this beach, and a few others. I’ve barely scratched the possibilities here.
As far as I know there is only one fix for an overdue return to the rock beach and that’s to make a return, asap. What a beautiful beach and image, my friend. It seems to offer endless images and experiences. I imagine an endless variety of compositions just by moving a few inches and reframe. Filling memory cards is inexpensive and working through them on a cold winter evening stirs up those creative juices. Yep, I’d suggest a return!
Appreciate the comments Monte. Wise words on the suggestion to return. I do like this perspective because of what you describe about the other potentials you can imagine.
I love the texture and colors in this photo.
Thanks Alessandra!
You’ve probably answered this somewhere else, Mark, but about what size are some of these larger rocks? The wide-angle extreme closeup tends to make it hard to judge from just the photo. Or maybe that a secret you want to keep. 😉
It would be close, but I may just like this one a little better than the original you did years ago. Like a fine wine, you’ve improved with age. 🙂
I think most of the foreground rocks would range from 0.5 inch to between 1-2 inches.
I am not sure about that wine part – seems more vinegar with age than anything else. 🙂
Wonderful shot with the close up rocks really leading you into the photo. Years ago was at a place in the UP with similar rocks (though I suspect there are several such places) called Sable Point. Just curious, is this that?
Thanks Howard. No, this is a beach of lower Lake Huron. I know there are some really nice ones in the UP, this one just a bit closer to home.
These are reminiscent of the beach cobbles I see at two beaches in Acadia N.P. Colorful and very textured. I understand the trap dilemma. Where does one stop?
yep, very true. Usually I just run out of steam or ideas and move on, but I know in reality I left a lot of potential behind.
The wide-angle view is great for these – hope you get back there soon!