Norah Head Lighthouse

[intrepidphotos]

I have been having a break while traveling in Australia to visit family. I did not get the camera out that often while we were down there however I did manage a quick scramble down to the rocks at dusk while I was passing the Norah Head lighthouse. It turned out to be quite a complicated shoot due to rapidly falling light and increasing wave action on the rocks as the tide returned.

For those interested the photo is a combination of two quite different exposures. The first was a long 30 sec exposure taken at f/9 and ISO 1000 to provide good depth of field in the foreground and minimize noise. The long exposure also gives the misty moonlight look to the waves splashing around the rocks in the foreground. The second exposure was much shorter in an attempt to freeze an arc of the light beam as it rotated and was a 2 sec exposure taken at f/4 and ISO 6400. Both shots were taken at 20mm. The shots were then merged using several layers of gradient and luminosity masks in photoshop. I did not bring in any bracketed exposures to increase the dynamic range as I wanted to keep the foreground shadows dark to emphasize the lifesaving effect of the beacon in the fading natural light.

The light house was turned on for the first time in 1903 and eventually de-manned in 1994 after more than 90 years of being staffed. It was originally fitted with a vapourized kerosene lamp and was electrified in 1961. Designed by Charles Assinder Harding it was the last lighthouse ever to be built in the classical style of James Barnet. Harding also designed the lights at Cape Byron and Point Perpendicular.

Back here in Northern BC now and its forecast to be somewhere between -25 and -28 deg C tomorrow; which is a little bit of a shock after the +40 deg C beach weather in Australia!

Rob Downie
Love Life, Love Photography

_{All images in this post were taken by and remain the Copyright of Robert Downie - http://www.robertdowniephotography.com}

Comments

[kieranstone]

Nice work with the light from the lighthouse!

[intrepidphotos]

Wow. Welcome to Steemit Kieran! Nice to have a fellow photographer on board.

[benboyle]

Great shot! An amazing place.

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks mate

[martinsandersuk]

That really is cracking one mate! I liked the write up explanation. It's a great use of multi exposure. I think your PP handling is nigh on perfect, and good on you for not overly raising the dynamic range , as so many just can't seem to resist.

Oh did you notice, I'm not a big fan of HDR. ;)

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks mate. Nothing wrong with the concept of HRD (our eyes are HDR); its how people implement it in un-natural ways

[martinsandersuk]

Of course mate I madea genralisation albeit a bit tongue un cheek, about the trashier side of HDR (too much facebook, lol)

[intrepidphotos]

Yes for sure. . Some terrible examples out there

[mindscapephotos]

Wow, amazing shot!
I like the light reflections in the water.
Great work @intrepidphotos

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks. Very kind of you

[r00sj3]

Wow, this is pure art! I'm jealous of your skills!

[intrepidphotos]

Wow; jealousy has to be the highest of complements ! ;-)

[r00sj3]

Maybe it was just envy ;)

[alan083]

Nice post!

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks

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[stalexmkl]

Nice post and amazing photo!

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks mate !

[intrepidphotos]

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[artizm]

Beautiful night mood, great composition and awesome color tones and light! Congratulations !You create a scene of beauty in what surely must be a most dangerous place. excellent long exposure night photograph. Great work and edit.

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks. Appreciate the kind comment !

[eliakon]

The photo is more than amazing! I love it congrats!!!

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks ;-)

[krazypoet]

sick awe inspiring shot bro

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks mate.

[upyou]

You got a 24.14% upvote from @upyou thanks to @intrepidphotos!

[bugaev]

Good job👍

[caitycat]

Beautifully shot and beautifully edited!! I love that you made sure to let the beam show it's strength. Cheers! #photofeed

[javiervg93]

Awesome picture man!

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks

[vladsphotography]

Great long exposure !

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks

[fabianj]

Stunning work!

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks

[sleeplesswhale]

This post has received a 35.71 % upvote from @sleeplesswhale thanks to: @intrepidphotos.

[ilanaakoundi]

Wow, beautiful!

[intrepidphotos]

Thanks

[ambdavid]

I don't know if it's your type of camera or your experience and expertise, you're so awesome with this.

[intrepidphotos]

Cheers mate.

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[jondie]

Nice shot. I love the reflection :)

[jfolkmann]

This one is like something out of a movie. Crazy good.

[intrepidphotos]

It is indeed.