Landscape of waves washing up along the sandy beach of Katmai National Park, Aleutian mountain range, Alaska Peninsula, southwest Alaska. Canon 5 D Mark III, 16-35mm f/2.8L, (16mm) 0.8 sec @ f/18, ISO 100 (Neutral Density filter used to slow the shutter speed)
The coastal landscapes along Katmai National Park look out towards the Shelikof Strait, a tumultuous body of water that passes between the Island of Kodiak and the mainland Alaska Peninsula. While camped along this beach, above the storm berm, the rare sight of blue sky during my trip inspired me to run to the shore to make a landscape. In order to help create the sense of movement along the shore by the pulsating waves washing across the sandy surface, I used a graduated neutral density filter to slow the shutter speed enough for a gentle blur. The hard packed sand was smooth enough to provide a reflective surface transferring some of the cloud patterns onto the beach. Just enough of the sun’s afterglow was visible to create a faint color. I exposed for the highlights and then boosted the shadows to balance the tonality.
Here is a horizontal of the same scene. I like them both equally and it is helpful to have both options for publication needs.
Landscape of waves washing up along the sandy beach of Katmai National Park, Aleutian mountain range, Alaska Peninsula, southwest Alaska.
