Last of the storm surge at dawn, photos from Seaham

[David]

Here are some photos I have converted to mono, showing the last of the storm surge that hit the East Durham Coastline. They were taken at dawn from the clifftop and beach at seaham.

 

Some more to post in colour soon

 

I think my black and white processing is improving slightly...what do you think?

 

 

I processed this to try and make it look like an old film photograph to make it a bit more interesting

 

 

 

[Martyn]

I really like #3; breathtaking!

[David]

Thanks Martyn, I think 3 and 4 look much better in black and white than they did in colour.

 

The 1st two are really more experimental than anything

[Terry]

That third one is a stunner and really works well in mono.

[Korky]

The sepia toning is great in number 1 - I know sepia is a bit old hat and has been done to death, but with the right image it can look terrific. This one works!

 

Number 3 is excellent - I can almost hear those waves crashing in. The cool tone suits the image perfectly.

 

Very nice work!

 

Korky

[David]

Thanks Terry, I am really proud of 3 and thanks Korky, the shot didn't quite work in black and white so I thought sepia would add some sort of colour as it was a sunrise

[ChrisLumix]

I love #2 and #3 - it's like 'the calm' and then 'the storm'!

[David]

Thanks Chris, yeah there is that contrast between them...you wouldn't think they were taken about 30 mins apart

[JohnP]

I like No's 3 and 4.... I was on holiday in La Palma at the time and never heard any news until I got home on Saturday. It looks evil in these shots.

[David]

Thanks JohnP, that's the power of photography! The worst was during last Thursday night (couldn't get there on Friday morning and these were from the Saturday morning)...the waves really weren't as bad as the photos suggest...maybe about 6 feet high at their worst and just after the peak of high tide. Although there was a strong westerly wind causing the spray-back from the tops of the waves which, I think, adds to the drama in the shots. The storm surge was definitely subsiding but there was still a flood warning out.

[FUJI]

I've stepped back from this and your other set to have a think!

After mulling over both the colour and mono versions, the mono set wins for me, and just to be different, I prefer the first two frames.

The sepia brings a new/ old dimension to the scene, the second shot has a wonderful air of calmness together with the threat of what is to come, or, what has just past.

FUJI

[David]

Thanks Fuji, indeed a very thoughtful response.

 

I think they both work too, but were experimental. The sepia because I have a lot of similar shots in colour and in black and white it just didn't cut it for the scene. so I thought the sepia would add interest and some depth to the image.

 

And the seagull photo again just didn't seem to work in colour and in black and white didn't 'do it for me', so I added a touch of grain to try and give it an impression of an older film photograph, just to add a little interest to the image.

 

Although for me I am most proud of 3 I think it has turned out exactly as I imagined - when I was taking the shots I had black and white conversions in mind and I think I captured the energy and force of the waves. And as spotted by Korky gave it a cool blue-turquoise mixed tone to it, which I think completed the atmosphere well

 

All pp in Photoshop Elements 12

[NannyFerret]

No 3 looks very ferocious. Nice  set altogether.

[David]

Thanks Tina I didn't imagine they would generate so many kind comments Thanks again to everyone