When planned outings don’t go to plan

dog-rocks-pinetree-sunrays-victoria

The other day I went out with a friend and we had a whole day planned of what we were going to do. Then once we got there we found that the waterfall we had planned on photographing had almost no water. We have had a very dry summer and with little water the waterfalls are drying up.

We had to come up with another plan quickly. It was overcast, very much so, and not far from the waterfall was the Lorne Pier. We had our filters with us, so it seemed the logical place to go, head there for some long exposures.

lorne-pier-coast-long-exposure

It was a good spot for about 15 minutes and then the clouds parts and the sun came out. Just our luck. I tried to do more, but it wasn’t long before I knew I wouldn’t get anything else.

We headed back inland, but you will have to wait for the photos from there.

After a massive walk we went for lunch at one of our favourite places in Lorne, The Bottle of Milk. They do great burgers and the most amazing chips (fries), I know Martha would love them.  We decided to try Dog Rocks. We had been there once before, but it was on a clear hot day, so not good for photography. It was getting to the end of the day and on the way home.

When we got there the sun was going down and then the most amazing sun rays appeared.

dog-rocks-tree-sun-rays

This is quite a famous tree around Geelong and you can pretty much bet every photographer around there has photographed it. It is hard to take an image that everyone else hasn’t, but when I saw those rays, I knew I could get something that would be more unique. I tried to do it so the rays appeared to be coming out of the tree.

dog-rocks-pinetree-sunrays-victoria

This was actually taken before the other one. The rays weren’t as prominent, but still there. I processed this image a little differently. I also took out much of the colour.  I like that look more.

For a day that didn’t seem to go to plan, I was really happy with what I got. It was lots of surprises and some gems.

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45 Comments

    1. for me part of my job is to go out and take photos, so I make sure I have the time. It is good to set aside a whole day, or a whole weekend to do just that. I’m in my element then. Thank you. 😀

  1. Wonderful images, Leanne. I can see that you were inspired by what was in front of you that day. The long exposure is stunning, I had to look for a very long time. Your former love of drawing and paint come deeply through in that one. The trees are beautiful in their own way. The blue sky image is beautiful but the darker image is more what I appreciate most from you. You find the almost haunting shadows of the heat and sun and turn them into intriguing works of art. So happy to hear you enjoyed the day, even if it wasn’t what you planned for.

    1. I really was Carrie, it was great. That is such a lovely thing to say, I don’t think many people realise that I can draw and paint. The heat can be very good for that. Thank you Carrie, I really did enjoy it.

    2. Well, I have seen your work and it is marvelous. Fun to have an enjoyable outing. Always a pleasure to see your work.

  2. Very nice. Being prepared and willing to shoot what is handed you, is the key to a good photographer.

  3. So often this is the way. We have the time to go to places we have envisioned great images from and arrive only to find conditions less than ideal, and nature loves to shuffle the deck, as it were. Then you look over your shoulder and see something completely unexpected, yet though previous disappointment, we are prepared and capture that moment,maps you have done so beautifully here. Thank you for sharing this experience, it is an inspiration to continue in our art when we can feel discouraged.

    1. I think you have to be prepared for that, always good to have back up plans. You’re welcome, good to hear you enjoyed it Ed, thank you.

  4. gosh Leanne, your photos keep on getting even More Beautiful! how is that even possible?! these are just, amazing, yes. Persistence does pay off 🙂 cheers, Debi

  5. What a great outcome, Leanne. I love that last one best – it’s beautifully processed. I love the colours and available light. Magic!

  6. Making lemonade from lemons! I love the God rays coming out of the tree, it’s beautiful!
    OMG! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to a favorite venue and been skunked…no light, no color, no nothing! Persistence, luck, and living in a location that one can time the conditions are key! I’m convinced the best images from the places I’d love to shoot are from photographers who live in the area and can time the light and conditions and get in position quickly. 🙂

    1. Thank you Deborah, it is amazing those rays, I loved them.
      I know just what you mean and I agree with you totally, I think it is that absolutely. I’ve been photographing an area for two years and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been there and it has been blah, and then every now and then you get something really special, persistence pays off.

    2. That’s Silver Lake for me. I’ve been going there for almost a decade and I only have 2 really nice sunrises. It’s supposed to be a fabulous, amazing, jaw dropping sunrise spot in the Eastern Sierras. Well, yes, but not the mornings I’ve been there! Just two times out 7 for me. The odds aren’t good, but I keep going and trying. 🙂 Persistence…I think it’s an essential quality of a photographer. 🙂
      You have it. I’ve seen it, and read it in your work.
      Don’t give up, keep going back to that area one day you’ll get the “money shot”!

    3. I know that feeling, I’ve been going to Banyule Flats for the last couple of years, and I have to say I was treated to an absolute beauty the other morning, one of the best sunrises I have ever photographed with my camera.
      I think it is also one of the best things about photographing where you live, it is easy to keep going back.
      Thank you Deborah, I will keep going and you do the same.

  7. When things don’t go as planned, our brains work in ways we never knew! You came up with some great photos!

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