What do you do when the thing you wanted to photograph has disappeared under water? Well that was the dilemma I faced a few weeks back when I went to the beach.
To make matters worse it wasn’t a stunningly beautiful beach and the lighting was pretty flat and lifeless. However I wasn’t going to go away empty handed so I created a photo from nothing.
First I did something I do a lot when I’m on a pebble beach, I grab some stones and started stacking. Photographing the pebbles was a simple enough affair but it needed something more and I thought the best thing to do was to add a background texture.
The beach may not have been a good spot for shooting amazing seascapes but with its collection of beach huts, it was the perfect place to bag a great selection of textures. In five minutes I had photographed textures from wood, paint, rusty metal and concrete.
All I had to do then was combine the photo together to create the final photo you see here. You can watch both the shoot and the post processing on the video below.
If you can’t see the video click here
Gear used in the video (links back to Adorama, who sponsor all my videos)
Canon 60D
Canon 24-105mm L f/4 USM
Carry Speed Strap
Adobe Photoshop CS6
Overlaying textures are not my cup of tea, but this is another perfect tutorial, Gavin. Always love watching your process.
Thanks again Gavin
Greetings from Slovenia. Nice to see you’re using same camera as me.
Gavin, thanks for the great videos. I have watched you use textures before and have even gone out a shot a few of my own from stone road cuts. Your rock stacking photo here is a nice way to use them. Think it might even fit into my comfort zone. No time right not but maybe somedays soon.
Sir Gavin,
As always, it’s beyond inspired. Truely created something from nothing. 100% my friend…
Del.
Nice one
Gavin, which image did you use for your final picture: f/4, f/5.6 or f/8?
I think it was the f/8 image that ead used. Just goes to show the benefits of bracketing apertures.
HI GAVIN I HAVE LOOKING AT YOUTUBE OVER LAST FEW YEARS AND LIKE WHAT YOU DO I SEE YOU CANON CAMERAS I OWN CANON 60D UPGRADED FROM CANON 400D IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT I CAN TALK TO YOU BY PHONE IF SO LEAVE YOUR NUMBER ON MY EMAIL ENCLOSED WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR GOD BLESS REGARDS ROY HALL
Sorry Roy. I can’t give advice over the phone. If I started I’d never get any work done 😉
Another great little video Gavin. You inspired me to have a go at recreating it, and I’ve written about my experience on MY blog (with all due references and link back to your far superior instruction – and finished article of course ;-D)
Have a great Christmas and happy new year.
Thanks again Gavin Always love watching your process
Gavin,
Check out fstoppers.com, your on their website!
Love your work! Keep up posting/making video’s even more in 2013!
Kr,
Jo
Hey Gavin, loved the video tutorial! Just one question what do you call to the belt or carry case which is holding the camera ?
i just can’t wait to try this. I haven’t thought about creating my own scenes when out shooting pictures.