Bob Crum

Ranting again because the menace continues unabated: A growing horde of phonetographers. This greatly affects me, a world-renown photojournalist who will someday undoubtedly be awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Uh huh!

About phonetographers, an experienced photography friend recently lamented: “The point is that if the 'untrained' (phonetographers) gets the money shot, why do they (clients) need a (pro) photographer? Don’t knock it! Embrace it”. Frustrated, she's ceding photography to a hobby. As a rogue photojournalist, surrender is not in my DNA.

Most times on scene, I anxiously but patiently wait, anticipating “the” moment a composition that best tells the story materializes. With a Canon 7DII glued to my eye, I am not invisible. Yet phonetographers, oblivious of my presence & purpose all too often step into the frame ruining the shot!

Back to the harbor last Sunday for another shoot. Arrived early. As often happens, a photo op materialized while walking around. Camera ready anticipating the 'right' moment. Suddenly, dreaded phonetographers with seemingly no purpose or particular destination gathered between me and the subject. Being a public venue of course they had every right to be there so I had no business yelling: GET THE (choose any naughty word you prefer) OUT OF MY SHOT! Wasn't easy but I remained polite and silent. I waited. To my delight they eventually moved on just in time. My patience (this time) was rewarded with the photo I anticipated making. It's my fervent hope that phonetographers (listening?) learn photography ethics sooner than later. They don't get paid for a money shot. I do. Just sayin'. End of rant.

The harbor provides photo ops galore. And challenges. Though the sky included either cirrus clouds or a layer of altostratus fluff, the bright sun created horrendous glare on the ocean. C'est la vie.

Though perplexing, the dastardly circumstances proved to be a fortuitous opportunity to illustrate the difference between images made with a circular polarizer filter (CPL) and without one. Photos that I will need for future instructional purposes.

It was chilly at the beach. After the shoot, I retreated to my truck for warmth. In the interim, I decided to stay. A potentially colorful sunset loomed given the temperature and clouds. At the appropriate time, I ventured out to the beach tripod in hand. Tripod? Of course! I have scientifically proven that during a sunset it progressively gets darker. In low light, with the lens aperture at its widest, shutter speed needs to progressively get longer to achieve a respectable exposure. Hand-holding a camera with a shutter speed of a 10th of a second begets shaky photos. But instead of reducing the shutter speed so much, why not just increase the ISO value? Remember that the higher the ISO value goes, so goes problematic digital noise. Now you know!

My optimism quickly diminished. As the sun set, it disappeared into a marine layer on the horizon, the heavy fog quashing most potential colors. Exasperating!

However, just before the sun disappeared into the murky goop, a brief moment of lackluster orange appeared turning into a feint purplish pink. Then darkness. Nevertheless, is there such a thing as a bad sunset? Actually, yes. Residing in Florida, I witnessed a couple of sunset killers called hurricanes. Speaking of Florida, did I tell y'all about almost eloping with a Key West mermaid?

Featured photo is the Lady Washington heading out to sea. Speaking of tall ships, I created a photo/movie of my tall ship adventure you might enjoy. The link is https://youtu.be/xMx1rjJfAvE.

Happy photoing.

Send your comments, suggestions or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com