TITLE: Rock Fisherman

Rock Fisherman is both a technical and creative exercise. As I saw the scene of a rock fisherman casting out to the sea a photo design came to me. Conceptually I had a very clear idea of what I wanted to achieve; fast exposure of the fisherman, over a long exposure of the water.
Using 10x + 6x ND filters I took an exposure of 25 seconds of the water. Considering the waves, the long exposure created a soupy effect. Next I took off the ND filters and set the camera to 1/1,000 sec and burst mode. I waited till the fisherman cast and took a burst through his action. Back in Photoshop I separated the fisherman from his background. I then placed him on the rocks on the long exposure photo. I selectively darkened the fishing rod with a curves adjustment layer as it had disappeared without the darkening. Then there was a a creative debate in my mind as to the placement of the backfoot. He was casting so finally I felt that by lifting his foot created the decisive moment. I also went to lengths to ensure the horizon was tangential to the rock he was standing on. Another debate was whether or not I'd try for rule of thirds with sky and sea or throw the rule of thirds out and simply go 50/50.
50/50 won that debate.

AUTHOR: David Bignell (Australia)

Winner of 2022 Australian Photographic Prize - Creative and Overall categories