Walk photo 2

There are, of course, rules for this photography project.

Like most of my rules for self-imposed activities, they are mutable, breakable, and needlessly complicated.

I was going to make just one rule — namely, that you’re only allowed one shot — but then I decided that this was a bit too restrictive, and so I modified it.

Currently the rules stand like this:

1. You can take a few photos (to allow for duds, and bracketing exposures).
2. Once you’ve picked your spot that’s the day’s choice.
3. If something unexpectedly good turns up you can break rule 2.

I needed rule 3 today!

I had noticed some interesting cloud formations earlier in the day before setting off on my walk, but I wasn’t sure if they’d last or if my walk would allow a good vantage point. Thus it was that early in the walk, when I came across a location that allowed me a shot of something else, I took a photo (just one which, as it turned out, wasn’t all that great). Later in the walk, though, I got a good view of the sky and the cloud formations were still there. I tried a few angles, varied the field of view (wide angle was better), and fudged a range of exposures (always wise if the sun is anywhere in the vicinity (like, directly in front!)).

One of the interesting things is actually trying to decide, from a set of similar shots, which one is best. I don’t think I’m good at this, which is possibly a reflection of my challenges in composing good shots in the first place. Anyway, in my opinion, the best result is at right.

You might be wondering if it really looked like that. The contrasts were probably not quite so dramatic, as this is deliberately underexposed in order that the sun didn’t wash out the whole shot. And I think the sun halo may be an in-camera artifact rather than present in reality … or maybe not.