I went to the Berkeley Pier today with my Sony and Lee filter system, but upon arrival I found out the pier has been closed due to structural safety. Boooooo! I must admit I was really disappointed. I had originally wanted to go to the end of the pier and take the iconic long exposure people have taken from that spot, but I ended up having to shoot it from the side. Double boooooo! lol
Another dilemma presented itself when I realized I forgot my Sony remote. I did have the Nikon remote though (a lot of good that did me). I found out the Sony A7 is limited to 30″ exposures without a remote. I find that totally strange. The timer has two settings of 2s or 10s and wouldn’t work with bulb, so that wasn’t an option. After this realization, I went down another path thinking of the Sony app I have on my iPhone. I figured out how to connect the camera to my phone via wifi but the app did not allow bulb mode which meant I was still stuck at 30″. Can you believe that? That is a total flaw in this camera or at the very least the app. I do think I should get an “A” for effort, don’t you? Oh well….live and learn. Note to self: Do not forget remote!
Onto the fun part of it all…I used my Lee Big Stopper and a hard .6 GND. Oh, I think I’m going to love these filters although I know I can greatly improve on this technique in the future.
We had just had some rain thank goodness and is why I wanted to drive down there to try some long exposures. This time of year doesn’t present us with many clouds. In the image you can see San Francisco in the distance above the pier and the Golden Gate to the right.
Laura Macky Photography 
October 3, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Gorgeous shot!
October 3, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Thank you! I was excited to go try it. 🙂
October 3, 2016 at 5:58 pm
Laura, my habit is to put my cable release in a medication bottle and then put it in the center of my bag where I store my gear. I am less likely to forget it then. I think we all have made the same mistake.
October 3, 2016 at 5:59 pm
It’s hard because I have two cameras with two different remotes. I’m forever moving things in and out of this one camera bag I have. I know I won’t forget it again after this! Thanks George. 🙂
October 3, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Oh how very beautiful. 😀
October 3, 2016 at 6:51 pm
Thank you so much Cee! I’m glad I ended up with something after all that. 🙂
October 3, 2016 at 7:25 pm
Just gorgeous Laura, but I can see how you might be disappointed not getting onto the pier. It also looks like a very long pier? As to the remote, is having two camera bags a stretch? then you can pack each complete and just grab the bag you need? I love long exposures and I had not heard about this in the Sony (I only have my Nikon), seems rather strange?
October 3, 2016 at 7:28 pm
Thank you Julie. For your props and your sympathy lol. It is a long pier but I was ready! At the end there is a gap because part of it collapsed some years ago and then it continues on so people used to stand at the end and take a long exposure of the rest of the pier. I don’t like carrying all my equipment because I’m always fearful someone will break into the car and steal everything. I’ll remember next time. And yes it’s a silly flaw on the original Sony Full Frame which is what I have. i think they’ve fixed it on the newer ones.
October 3, 2016 at 8:03 pm
sounds a tad dangerous…….but fun. Stupid people, they break into cars here too, I had a friend have her tripod stolen……..idiots
October 3, 2016 at 8:11 pm
Totally. The thing is around the Bay Area thieves are now going to the spots photographers go. So sad. I like to err on the side that I might get ripped off so I’m always aware. Total idiots
October 3, 2016 at 8:41 pm
yes we have a few ‘key photography’ spots they linger as well
October 3, 2016 at 7:52 pm
Definitely A for effort and what a great image 😊
October 3, 2016 at 8:09 pm
Thank you! I’m happy I didn’t give up. 🙂
October 3, 2016 at 7:54 pm
Dramatic shot, really beautiful!
October 3, 2016 at 8:10 pm
Thank you Belinda. :). You may have noticed I enjoy drama in my landscapes.
October 3, 2016 at 9:02 pm
Totally awesome! That sky tho!
October 3, 2016 at 10:22 pm
Thanks rob! We finally had some rain!
October 4, 2016 at 7:55 am
Thanks Rob!
October 4, 2016 at 12:01 am
Gorgeous shot… the water looks amazing.
October 4, 2016 at 7:56 am
Thanks so much Sue. I can’t wait to try more of these. When I have my remote!
October 4, 2016 at 7:57 am
One of these days I’ll learn to do more than point and shoot. I do admire photographers who are able to capture such pictures. 🙂
October 4, 2016 at 8:07 am
I was in your shoes too thinking that very same thing in 2010. It can be done! And the admiration never stops because there are so many amazing photographers that do such creative things. It’s what I love about photography…seems like there is always something to learn. 🙂
October 4, 2016 at 8:14 am
My son is learning… and he has taken some fabulous shots.
October 4, 2016 at 8:21 am
That’s great! Does he have a blog too?
October 4, 2016 at 9:12 am
He does https://nickverron.com/ and he has some of his images on flickr too. https://www.flickr.com/photos/108576693@N02/
October 4, 2016 at 11:22 am
Great! I just followed him on flickr. He’s creative!
October 4, 2016 at 11:31 am
He’s doing okay…I’m sort of proud oh whay he’s doing, particularly given how badly his sight was damaged in the attck. The camera lends him vision…and he makes good use of it.
October 4, 2016 at 12:57 pm
I can see his creativity and I like that. Photography is so healing. i know from experience.
October 4, 2016 at 1:20 pm
It is…and having seen the hundreds of other pictures he hasn’t published, I’d say it is doing a good job.
October 4, 2016 at 12:08 am
Gorgeous, Laura!
I just got my first Lee filters. I wonder if you need different adapters for your Sony lenses?
October 4, 2016 at 7:57 am
Thank you Dina! I do have two adapter rings….they are based on size only and not make of camera. So I have one adapter ring for my 72mm lenses and one for my 77’s. You will love using them! It’s so fun!
October 4, 2016 at 1:58 am
Stunning, Laura. This image is excellent. Composition and your use of the filter system. Love it! My Fuji X-T1 has 30 seconds only too. In camera and in the app. To use bulb mode I have to use the remote as well. No way around. But it is always in my bag. It is not heavy and and does not eat up a lot of space. Next time you will be prepared. But I could not be done better… remote control or no remote control. 😉 Reinhold
October 4, 2016 at 8:00 am
Thank you so much for liking my result! You should’ve seen me googling and researching standing on the rocks. I have two cameras and different camera bags I use depending on the situation. I know I will never forget the remote after this faux pas! Thanks for your support in my filter endeavors. 🙂
October 4, 2016 at 2:03 am
Yes, an A+ for effort…we are always forced to the the hand we are dealt and you did great…
October 4, 2016 at 8:00 am
Thanks so much Robert. Yup…lemonade out of lemons! 😉
October 4, 2016 at 3:38 am
I’ll give you an A for effort and an A+ for making a wonderful photo !
October 4, 2016 at 8:02 am
I love getting good grades. 🙂 Thanks Dan!
October 4, 2016 at 3:51 am
Amazing shot. Innovation and inspiration came from forgetting your remote, perhaps we should all leave some stuff at home on occasion!
October 4, 2016 at 8:03 am
Thank you so much for your comment! I’m glad it turned out.
October 4, 2016 at 6:18 am
Very nice image. Generally I’m not a fan of long exposure – smooth water but it works well here contrasting with the clouds and rocks. That pier is fantastic. It looks as though you could walk it all the way to Fort. Point.
October 4, 2016 at 8:05 am
Thanks David. I like the minimalistic long exposures which is what I had in mind before I found the pier closed and before I realized I forgot my remote. lol I REALLY love the GND. Wouldn’t it be nice if one could just walk to Fort Point. Can you imagine how cool that would be?
October 4, 2016 at 7:34 am
I love long exposures! Yours is great and full of that still, quiet feeling.
October 4, 2016 at 8:06 am
Thank you Pam. I really wanted to do that minimalistic type which are minutes long but without the remote I was stuck at 30″. Next time for sure!
October 4, 2016 at 7:31 pm
I know what you mean. Today I did a three minute exposure that should have been longer, but I didn’t want to keep my friends waiting. They had been patient with me all day, even assisted 😊. I hope I can fix it in post-processing.
October 4, 2016 at 7:53 pm
I don’t think I could do these with people standing with me. I’d probably screw it up somehow. Lol. I’ll be interested to see what you did! I can’t wait to do more of these.
October 4, 2016 at 8:10 pm
I know! It’s interesting shooting with people who are friends and family. I think eventually it will make me better because I have to do everything and carry on a conversation too!! Today, my friends helped me a lot with advice. They were very patient. 😊
October 4, 2016 at 12:06 pm
Great shot! That pier is quite a stretch! 🙂
October 4, 2016 at 1:01 pm
Thanks Tom. Indeed!! Originally it was 3.5 miles long! Then the city cut it down to 2.5 miles. It is very long although I won’t be able to walk out there anymore. I’m trying to find out if they’re going to restore it or not.
October 4, 2016 at 12:29 pm
Beautiful capture and I love the little pop of color from the building on the pier.
October 4, 2016 at 1:02 pm
Thanks Carolyn. I think without that pop of color, it wouldn’t be that interesting. I was glad I could compose it to get that structure in the frame.
October 4, 2016 at 12:48 pm
I saw this on Facebook but didn’t have time to respond. This is a real beauty, Laura. And I’m beginning to expect nothing less from you. You might want to throw in an occasional dud once in awhile. Just for variety!
October 4, 2016 at 1:03 pm
Aw well thank you so much Emilio. You’re good for my ego! 🙂
October 4, 2016 at 3:04 pm
OUTSTANDING, Laura!!! OMG!! Absolutely gorgeous! So you did buy the Lee filter system. Good for you. I’m shooting with a solid .6ND and I LOVE it. You need to give yourself a huge pat on the back with this one. GREAT JOB!!!! ❤
October 4, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Thanks so much Amy! I was excited to use it. I used the Lee Big Stopper which is a 3.0 ND and I used the .6 hard GND for the sky. I can’t wait for our foggy days now! Before I didn’t much like going out shooting in total fog but now…I can’t wait!
October 4, 2016 at 3:48 pm
Working with the .6ND is fun too which I am finding out. I know how to adjust shadows in PS which is the greatest pitfall on using a solid versus a GND. YAY for you!! You’ll be doing so much more then you have been. Oh for the FUN of all this!! 🙂 ❤
October 4, 2016 at 3:53 pm
It really is fun isn’t it. What would I be doing without photography?????? I shudder at the thought!
October 4, 2016 at 4:01 pm
Ditto, Laura. Photography is my slice of Heaven while on this earth!! I really mean that!
October 4, 2016 at 4:18 pm
Well, despite all your false starts, I think the photo is gorgeous! Berkeley Pier – who knew? Fabulous vantage point.
October 4, 2016 at 5:42 pm
Thanks Stacy! I had to laugh at the chain of events but I was determined. 😀
October 4, 2016 at 4:47 pm
You do get an A – whew – and maybe the Sony product developers will improve from such experiential feedback!
And your photo featured today is outstanding –
Anyhow – hope you are having a good week Laura – 😉
October 4, 2016 at 5:43 pm
Thank you so much! They did fix this issue on the newer models.
October 4, 2016 at 8:30 pm
oh good – and really enjoyed sharing in the tech side of things with you on this visit – make that this after the rain visit
October 4, 2016 at 10:40 pm
Anytime. I love to talk tech! 😊
October 4, 2016 at 10:44 pm
🙂
October 4, 2016 at 5:20 pm
Stunning image, Laura!
October 4, 2016 at 5:43 pm
Thank you Tiny!
October 5, 2016 at 8:15 am
Reblogged this on lucesensibileblog.
October 5, 2016 at 9:29 am
Thank you Fabio! Much appreciated. 🙂
October 5, 2016 at 1:12 pm
Really lovely Laura! I also use the Lee system for my long exposures, and while I do like them, I would prefer them to be a little more colour neutral. I know it’s an easy fix in Camera Raw, and I’m probably being too picky…still by the time I get to 6-7 minute exposures the resulting files are deep blue… But I do love the world of long exposures, they really are a lot of fun! Looking forward to your next images!
October 5, 2016 at 3:55 pm
Thank you Michael! I’ve been reading about the color cast. The hitech filters have a magenta cast I believe. Seems we get a color cast no matter what. I’m anxious to try some more of these when we get more clouds and or fog. It’s once again sunny and warm with clear blue skies. I really want to try the longer exposures like you mentioned, 6 mins or so. Thank you for the encouragement!!
October 6, 2016 at 1:09 am
I forgot how good your stuff is!
October 6, 2016 at 8:19 am
That’s sweet. Thank you so much!
October 6, 2016 at 6:35 am
loved this one 🙂
October 6, 2016 at 8:24 am
Thanks! I can’t wait to do more of these.
October 7, 2016 at 6:34 am
Breathtaking!
October 7, 2016 at 7:36 am
Oh those filters are gonna be sooo fun!
October 7, 2016 at 8:06 am
Your work is always poetical and artistical
October 7, 2016 at 8:08 am
I’m trying to finish… that filters are not capable to do that part for you.
October 7, 2016 at 8:16 am
ahhhh….thanks for this addendum. It’s true…filters do not make art, they only help coax it out. 🙂
October 7, 2016 at 8:15 am
Really? Thank you so much Amy. I work to always improve and develop my style. I really appreciate you saying so. :)))) Have a great day!
October 7, 2016 at 9:41 am
Your pictures are stunning! Definitely inspired me 🙂
October 7, 2016 at 2:15 pm
How sweet of you to say! Thank you!
October 7, 2016 at 10:31 pm
No problem!