The day at Hayling Island was blustery and sunny with huge waves crashing on to the shingle, then flattening out to slide up the beach, making me back off once or twice when taking shots. In a calm moment I noticed a young woman walking towards us carrying what appeared to be a rather artistic piece of driftwood.
As she approached, I commented that it would make a good alternative Christmas tree. We passed the time of day and I found myself asking rather quickly for a portrait - perhaps the urgency of the wind and waves around us had made me feel she might just walk off.
But she did agree. Introductions made, Charlotte suggested she might stand with her back to the sea. I was concerned that the shots were backlit and asked her to stand slightly at a diagonal angle. The light was very bright with the sun on the white surf, although the shots looked OK on the camera screen.
Back home I think maybe the light did defeat me a little but perhaps her sunglasses reflecting me taking the photo saved some of the effect of the backlighting. Charlotte asked how I would use the photos and I belatedly then explained my strangers' portrait project.
Charlotte, a dentist, lives in Chester but is currently staying in their holiday home at Hayling. Her gentle retriever, Winnie, named after Winnie the Pooh, was with her, busy investigating the beach nearby, joining us only towards the end of our encounter.
I offered photos. Charlotte said she would look online. She told me where she had found the 'Christmas tree' further along the beach, some kind of bush, not driftwood.
I thanked her and we said our goodbyes. Ray spied some similar bushes, bleached white by the sun, and we brought a few home in the car boot.
It's so neat the way you caught the reflections in her glasses. What a friendly smile she has. This project of yours has certainly introduced you to some very interesting people.
Another lovely portrait and good on you for asking her to turn so she wasn't right against the bright sky. You have the effect of the bright day, without turning her into a silhouette.
Lovely portrait. We had a Christmas tree just like this one one year when we lived in Cyprus. No idea what the bush used to be but it worked so well as a tree. The second year we were there we cut a bush from the bushland at the back of our house.
Phil, I had been experimenting with the 30mm macro lens at home and had mistakenly left the camera on 'Clear' instead of the usual 'Standard' I just use all the time. So when I tried to deepen this a bit there was nothing to deepen it with! I have learnt generally that instead of trying to tone down when taking say a flower in sunlight, toning up and using 'Vivid' can work better. All the while shooting on Hayling Island I felt something was not quite right so next time I have that feeling, I shall check my settings! I am OK with this in the end. Thanks for your comment, always valued.
@quietpurplehaze haze we all have our own way of working , both on location and in post processing. We all make minor tweaks occasionally. I still love working the streets , it feels right and as you know we both meet some amazing people . Enjoy your photography, I am pleased that you are able to " work the streets again " . Stay safe and enjoy 🙂📷📷
Jackie, I think the stems are maybe too woody for that. Another idea is sea buckthorn...
Near the golf course roughly half way between it and the sea.
Phil, I had been experimenting with the 30mm macro lens at home and had mistakenly left the camera on 'Clear' instead of the usual 'Standard' I just use all the time. So when I tried to deepen this a bit there was nothing to deepen it with! I have learnt generally that instead of trying to tone down when taking say a flower in sunlight, toning up and using 'Vivid' can work better. All the while shooting on Hayling Island I felt something was not quite right so next time I have that feeling, I shall check my settings! I am OK with this in the end. Thanks for your comment, always valued.
Thanks so much, Phil and yes, amazing people!