This next image is such a standout – we simply couldn’t resist sharing it with you all.
Hailing from none other than Las Vegas, the talented Galina Semenova has really outdone herself this week! Submitted as part of Project 4 for her Learn Black & White Photography course this image of a pier stretching out into the ocean is captivating. The lines are all straight and symmetrical, with the horizon perfectly perpendicular to the pillars. As I am sure our new students can attest to, this is often a lot easier said than done. The long exposure has created a really beautiful haze of water at the base of the pillars that gives this image an other wordly vibe.
Those of you who are currently working through our Learn Black & White Photography course know how important it is to incorporate texture, form, leading lines and mood into your image. This enables you to create a captivating image without relying on color. The rough, worn concrete of the pier has a fantastic rough texture that contrasts so well with the smooth, wispy ocean and sky. The symmetry of the pillars extending out into the distance create a leading line from the foreground of the image right through to the distant background.
Naturally, we were eager to find out the story behind this image from Galina:
How long have you been shooting?
I’ve been shooting since I was 15 maybe =) I have always liked it. My passion is landscapes/seascapes and portraits. I love nature. I always take pictures when I travel.
What inspired you to take this picture? (Was it spur of the moment or did you set out to try and achieve this composition?)
I have visited this beach a few times and I always wanted to take a picture of this pier. But I never had the right equipment with me, I knew I needed a special filter and a long exposure to smooth the ocean. My last visit I had everything I needed for this shot and that is when I took this picture.
How did you go about this shot, did you try different angles first before arriving at this end result? Did you do any editing?
I tried many different angles during this shoot, but the image you see was actually the very first shot I took. I used Silver Efex Pro 2 and Photoshop CS6 to edit it.
What would you do differently next time?
Next time I would come earlier in the day because of the sun moving. The sun was going down very fast and because of this I had too much light on the left side of the pier.
Thank you Galina, we appreciate you sharing your creative process with us.
If you have any comments, questions or feedback to share with Galina please feel free to do so!
the foto-classes team
