Assateague beach sandstorm

Last weekend I visited Chincoteague Island to scout for my workshop coming up this weekend. Not only did I find a lot of changes due to hurricane Irene but I also encountered some unique conditions. Check out the following video to see what I mean.



I was out on the beach at sunrise showing a friend around. As we walked the beach the wind picked up (30-40mph) and it started to rain a little. While there was the obvious concern of using my camera in these conditions I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I found a conch to anchor my image and chose not to include the drab sky. The image was converted to black and white to add to the abstract feel. I made a few compositions but liked this one the best.



As two people passed me I made another photo including them as elements in the photograph.

In case you were wondering the camera and lens were unharmed in the making of these photographs.

If anyone is interested there were cancellations and there are now two spaces available for the Chincoteague workshop on Saturday, September 24. More info at http://www.nikhilbahl.com/photography_workshops.html.



Upcoming Workshops and classes:

September 24
Digital Nature Photography One-day Workshop (Chincoteague Island, VA)
October 6-9
West Virginia Fall Workshop
October 15
Great Falls Field Session
October 16
Creative Digital Photography Seminar
(at the Imperial Hotel in Chestertown, Maryland)
October 22-23
Autumn at Great Falls Workshop
November 12
Essentials of Bird Photography
(at Nature Visions - Mid-Atlantic Photography Association Expo)
November 18-20
Chincoteague Island Workshop

View full 2011 workshop schedule...

Off to Colorado!

I'm off to Colorado for 5 days. It's not really a photography trip since I will be showing my Mom around. But I'm sure I'll take a few photos to document the tour.
Looking forward to re-visiting some of the amazing Colorado parks. Too bad I won't be visiting one of my favorites; Great Sand Dunes Nation Park and Preserve.
The photo above was made on during my last visit.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/CLASSES
http://www.nikhilbahl.com/photography_workshops.html
C&O Canal and the Potomac (field session) - Sept. 26
West Virginia Fall Tour - October 7-10 (4 spots available)
Great Falls - October 30-31 (only 2 spot available)
Great Falls (field session) - Nov. 6
Photoshop for Photographers (One day workshop) - Nov. 7
Chincoteague Island - November 19-21 (3 spots available)

Shoreline Revelation - a photo essay

This photo essay has photography from the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia. Long exposures, textures, sea shells, wildlife and more. Best viewed in the 480p or 720p resolution. Enjoy!

February Featured Photo on NikhilBahl.com

Rhythm and Light (_NIK0207)

Walking along the beach on a lovely morning, I came across this unusual pattern in the sand. It seemed like there was potential, but the pattern by itself was not interesting enough to make a strong photo. I chose to include the seaweed and setup the composition to create diagonal movement. Even then, the photo did not feel complete; the water had to be included. As I decided how much space the water should occupy in the picture frame, the seaweed got swept away by the next wave. I quickly found more seaweed. Now I knew I had to act fast and time the release of the shutter perfectly. Serendipitously, the next wave stopped perfectly at the top of the frame to give me the pre-visualized photo.

Having only a little bit of water in the composition allows the photo to be about the pattern in the sand. The seaweed acts as a focal point and the foamy water is a supporting element that adds interest and enhances the movement created in the photograph. Let’s not forget, the early morning light helps bring out the texture in the sand and adds the warm hue.

None of these elements were strong enough to make a photo by themselves, but brought together in harmony they make an effective photograph.

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