Saturday July 2, 2011

Girl In Ocean

Big Lenses

Are you the type of person that uses big lenses a lot? I admire you! I don’t…and after lugging this 600mm around for a while, I really got a good sense of what some of the hardcore bird/animal photographers do…

Daily Photo – Girl in Ocean

I got this 600mm from BorrowLenses.com to take photos of the shuttle on my first trip. Since the shuttle didn’t take off, Scott and I decided to go to the beach and take photos of girls from a distance like real creeps. I openly admit it… we looked downright creepy up there with two huge lenses, peering in every which direction until we saw something interesting.

Then I saw this gal splashing around in the waves with her friends… seemed like a good subject so I took a few shots. With the 600mm I was so far away, that she would have had no idea I was taking them. This made it all feel even more sketchy, but, you know, having said all that, I’m quite happy with the shot.

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  • Susan

    Yes, you chose a good subject!! Great capture Trey!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/35422436@N06/ George Green

    Yes, a great shot. Obviously a fast shutter speed to stop the action. Sharp lens. Are you sure you didn’t hire this girl? Looks like a model posing for pictures. If you didn’t hire her you out to track her down and pay her a modeling fee!

  • http://www.kelleybard.com Kelley Bard

    Trey, how often do the unknowing subjects of your photos find their pics here and comment on them? I think I’ve seen once… but I’ve had that happen 2 times and my work is way less visible than yours! Anyways, this one is great, I love the focus and the awesome water spray. Cool wave detail… not HDR, though, right?

  • http://www.kelleybard.com Kelley Bard

    and I just sold my big lens because I hardly ever dragged it out… although on days when I see great birds or far off animals, it does make me sad. But then I crop the photos and I’m happy again :)

  • http://www.paulvillaflor.squarespace.com Paul Villaflor

    Period feel to it. Nice. This picture is timely for me Trey ’cause for the past few days, after being shooed off malls and being stared at by people for taking pictures, I’d like to know what legality issue you might come across taking or uploading these pictures of “unknowing” or probably “unwilling” subjects? And how do we protect ourselves?

  • http://www.ianbrodiephoto.net Ian Brodie

    Nice. Using Topaz?

  • Larry (Eeyore)

    I was wondering the same thing as Kelly. Do you ever fool with model releases, etc.?

  • Richard (oldhickory49)

    One thing I notice about this one is, it breaks that conventional wisdom notion that there needs to be more space in the direction the subject is moving and less space behind her. In other words, most people would tend to place the figure off to the right and not to the left as it is here. Imagine if Trey had followed the conventional wisdom. The shot would not have been nearly so interesting.

    I do need a good tele, but I think I’ll pass on the 600mm… :)

  • Simon Morris

    Ooh la, la – c’est magnifique! Nice action shot Trey, excellent! :-)

  • http://images.kathleenandersen.com Kathleen

    Would it honestly have upset your plans for the rest of the day to have met her afterwards and told her about the photos? She probably would have been thrilled.

    Instead, Trey, this was real creepy!

  • http://williambeem.com William Beem

    Everyone else is thinking about the girl. I’m thinking of your comments on Twitter about lenses being heavy, lugging this thing over here to Florida, and then taking your shuttle launch photo with a 50mm.

    I’m sure you had other shots (like this one) with the BFL, but I have to admit I chuckled a bit when you showed the 50mm launch shot.

  • http://www.stuckincustoms.com Trey Ratcliff

    Thanks very much!

    George, Paul, Larry – hehe no I did not hire her… I don’t bother with model releases for stuff like this… I consider it photojournalism in a way… just out in public, capturing life… I’m not selling it… etc etc…

    Ian – Yes :)

    Kelley – It happens sometimes – we will see if it happens here.

    Kathleen – I guess I could have, but she was still out in the ocean having fun.

    Simon & Richard – Thanks!

  • http://www.laskowitzpictures.com Ray

    You can consider the picture to be whatever you want, but if that woman happens to see this website you have opened yourself up to all sorts of unpleasant legal realities. What is the problem with showing her few of the images on your LCD and asking her to sign a release? You know that photographer a lot of your colleagues are busy vilifying — Jay Maisel? He mostly shoots on the street. He tries to always get a release and he thanks the subject for letting him make the picture. That kindness goes a long way.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrandybird/5872560909/ Andy Bird

    With my gear, I can only dream of getting images that sharp – I even bought that ebook about getting sharp focus but it didn’t cater for us folks with lame cameras :( was there no womens beach volleyball happening nearby? That’s my personal favourite…..only kidding!

  • haveacupoftea

    I’m afraid I’d concur with the legal concerns. Regarding the publishing of photographs taken in the public space, the limit to the photographer’s rights lies in those held by the main subject. A picture of people in the street with no one standing out is fine, there’s no main subject to speak of. But here… it ain’t the spray of the waves, is it?… There’s a never ending debate about buildings and art – you should be safe with fjords though :-) -, but there’s nothing to debate regarding non-public persons; I know I would mind a lot to have my picture published without my consent.

  • Ross Craig

    I was on a boat in Koln Germany on the Rhine River. I seen someone nude sunbathing in the grass along the shore. I was using a 300mm lens, I took the photo and not until later on I found out it was a guy! Now only if I had the 600mm lens. Nice photo Trey you take great photos.

  • http://www.nuwomb.com Scott Webb

    Ray,

    Are you kidding me? Have you even heard what Jay Maisel has to say on the issue? You’re completely wrong. He hardly ever gets a release because he isn’t going to use the image for advertising or commercial. He also said that if you are trying to get a release you’re missing other shots. He can’t be bothered to chase every image to get a model release for no reason. If he is working a job, then he gets a release every time. He will also have a crew with him so that he can shoot and they go off and get the the release. I listened to Jay Maisel say this…right from his mouth on KelbyTraining.com.

    Please get your facts straight before you start spreading this stuff.

    People are crazy. Great shot Trey and I have a feeling you couldn’t simply turn the LCD around to show her while using a 600mm lens. lol

  • http://www.ArgoShots.com Jason

    It may be a little bit of a grey area, but I land firmly on the side that says you should have gotten a release. It could easily be argued that this is a commercial website: I see a lot of stuff for sale on the right side of the page. I don’t think that this is editorial/photojouralistic use. you are not telling a story about the girl, rather you are telling a story about photography on a commercial photography website. I’d say you have some exposure here (pun intended) and you are NOT covered.

    In fact, there are similarities to the issue you had with Peter Lik’s website using your Time’s Square image a couple of months ago. This time you are on the other side of the issue. While it may be YOUR image, it is of HER likeness. It would not be a stretch to say that you stole that likeness for commercial purpose.

  • http://www.stuckincustoms.com Trey Ratcliff

    I don’t let fear of over-reaching lawyers motivate me. If it’s interesting, I take a photo and share it. Simple.

  • haveacupoftea

    I wonder, next to #3 Kelley, in the super-networked world we have now (well, half of us, not the entire planet yet), how long it’ll be before that person sees herself! 2 days?

  • http://www.paulvillaflor.squarespace.com Paul Villaflor

    “I don’t let fear of over-reaching lawyers motivate me. If it’s interesting, I take a photo and share it. Simple.” – A Trey Ratcliff quotable quote. Thank you :)

  • Big Matty

    Good shot Trey. You’re right 600′s are heavy and awkward as heck. On a different note though, I took my first HDR pics today at the big bridge here in Austin on 360. Didn’t turn out too bad. Thanks for all of your info and free advice.

  • OldDogNewTrick

    Some day, if she is lucky, she will live out to the age of 70 (like me) and look back fondly on this shot.

  • http://cropsensorphoto.wordpress.com/ Jeff Peterson

    Great photo, I love the wide aspect ratio and how it looks like she’s posing even though she has no idea the photo is being taken.

  • http://www.stuckincustoms.com Trey Ratcliff

    Thx… :) BTW, I always get model releases whenever I end up selling a photo that has a person in it… but not just for photo-journalistic stuff.

  • http://Debi Debi

    You have given me a wonderful laugh for the day, my friend. I’m with you on not lugging the heavy glass around. I am thinking of hiring a sherpa. Much lighter.

  • http://www.hdrphotographyblog.com Scott Kublin

    Might be worth a read for those interested. “The Photographer’s Right” – http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

  • http://chrisdmrf.wordpress.com Chrisdmrf

    I’m not sure if the legality is as messy over here in England. Either way stunning shot

  • http://www.nickrosephotography.com London Wedding Photographer

    Wow that’s sharp – it’s almost like you’ve used off camera lighting. Awesome shot Trey
    Nick

  • http://FotoFace.eu Foto Face

    Respect for the big lens :)

  • http://www.flickr.com/meleahrubino Meleah

    Creepy? Yes :) Good photo? Definitely!

  • http://www.facebook.com/ Geraldine

    I feel so much happier now I udrenstand all this. Thanks!

  • http://yfvicbmogbuj.com/ kccuweky

    stEOgI ppvbwkpbhpuu

  • http://www.robertofarrenphotography.com/ Boston Wedding Photographers

    Awesome shot!! Great lighting on this!