Beach Trip: Brain Teasers

In the beach house where we stayed there was a mirror which stood parallel to the front door that led to the balcony overlooking the beach. On our first morning there we decided to eat breakfast on the balcony. The wind was very strong so we chose to leave the door open so we could come in and out more easily. Standing in the doorway I was telling my mother how I loved having such a large mirror when I suddenly had an idea. It is a well known fact among photographers that the photographer is the least photographed for obvious reasons. So, we photographers will result to all sorts of creative ways to say "we were there". I've tried taking a self-portrait in the mirror before but it never has seemed to work very well. I typically have to use the flash which messes up the whole picture when it bounces off the mirror obscuring my face. But this time it worked. With the open door facing the sunrise there was enough light to not use the flash and if I lowered the exposure it was even better because I got a silhouette.

 This was my set-up:

 Zoomed in and exposure reduced to bring in the waves.

This one is my favorite:

 and...here are some other interesting shots

 Who is where? Are they walking towards the mirror or the doorway?  

Beach Trip: In the Waves

Beach photographers make it look easy. Their pictures present a calm, peaceful, and serene atmosphere that makes you wish you could've been there...naturally, I thought that beach photography would be easy...but there were a few things that I didn't take into consideration-like wind. What do you think causes those big waves that are so great for boogie-boarding? And what exactly do you expect to build a sandcastle with? That's right-sand. Oh, and let me remind you that there is no escaping from these natural elements. There is scarcely any trees to speak of to block the wind and...nowhere to wash your hands. *sigh* So much for my peaceful and serene beach picture. Most of my pictures are covered with a salty, sandy film mixed with a bit of sunscreen. :( But...I got better as the days wore on. I learned to take pictures before I got into the water, to bring my cleaning cloth, to point my camera down away from the wind when I was not taking a picture, and not to lather on sunscreen too heavily on my forearms. :) With that said here are some of the pictures I took that didn't turn out too badly.

Day Two:

Notice how I used the rule of thirds to frame many of these photos.

Notice how my two brothers form a line from one corner to the next.

Hmm mm mmm...love those thirds...:)

I love the simplicity of these photographs below, with, again the rule of thirds calling the shots. :)

Looking for Shells Near the San Luis Pass:

(Above and Below enhanced with Photoshop sliding color controls)

Guess what? The thirds are at work again!

Day Four:

Simplicity is not a bad thing. 

Simplicity of composition, color, and subject all bring the viewer's focus right where you want it.

Looking for Shells Again by the San Luis Pass:

Day Five: 
In Galveston 

 

Callaway Gardens-Day Four-Louisiana Coast

NOTE: The photos of me were taken by my father, David Shiflet.

Callaway Gardens-Day Three-Swamplands of Mississippi

Callaway Gardens-Day Three-Horticulture Center-Part 2