Stormy Sea – Stamsund
Photo: Waves crash over rocks at Stamsund, Lofoten Islands, Norway. Oct 2012
Some blustery weather passed over the islands yesterday. At one point I went out to a cool part of the coast beyond the hostel here in Stamsund to try and get a few photos. Lots of sea spray in the air so I didn’t stay too long. But this also got me thinking more about an idea/invention I’ve had on my mind for some time that could possibly be quite useful to photographers like me who often shoot near stormy seas with lots of mist. The problem is: by the time I’ve setup the camera, composed the image, maybe checked exposure (especially if using a neutral-density filer) my lens can be so covered in sea spray that I need to stop everything and clean it off, only for it to be quickly wet again. I need a way where I can effectively set everything up, while my lens still remains clean. Screw on filers are too slow and cumbersome, especially if working with one hand while keeping the tripod from blowing over with the other. Something for me to work on when I get back to California next year.
Photo: How close before my feet get wet? Stamsund, Lofoten Islands, Norway. Oct 2012
I’ve always thought the solution used in Formula 1 and motocross would be cool, a static cling protector that you rip off as necessary. It would probably work best on a filer rather than on the lens itself but I personally always keep at least a UV filter on my lenses.