Seven Sisters

© 2012 Alan Mackenzie.

www.alanmackenziephotography.com

It pays great dividends to photograph landscapes during the right weather and lighting conditions. When high quality neutral density graduated filters are used, the RAW files look 'almost ready' for publication. This photograph of the Seven Sisters on the south coast of England, demonstrates my new found love of natural colours and tones. When a photograph is already complete, there is no need for over-saturation and other forms of over-processing.

Unfortunately, my journey with LEE Filters has not been smooth. I was lucky to obtain two filters earlier this year. I have no filter holder, which means that my LEE filters are getting scratched; they have to be hand-held, and as such they make contact with the lens barrel. Without a filter holder to protect them, I may have to suspend landscape photography until one arrives. Yesterday, my hopes of obtaining a LEE Universal Hood and 2 slot Filter Holder were elevated to ecstatic proportions, when I telephoned Robert White Photographic; five were in stock, I was told. Overjoyed, I placed an immediate order, choosing next day delivery. In a rush of excitement, I cancelled a pending order of the same item from Warehouse Express. I was 13 weeks into a 20 week projected waiting list. Early yesterday evening, I received an email from Robert White Photographic, stating that the LEE Universal Hood is out of stock and they have no confirmed date for arrival. After complaining, I received an apologetic email offering to place me first on the waiting list.

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    Ollie Smalley Photography ✈ Travelling, pierre hanquin, Persefoni!, dubdream, and 141 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. Ollie Smalley Photography ✈ Travelling (11 months ago | reply)

    Loving the naturally dispersed light on the cliffs Alan, good composition and a well balanced exposure as usual! :)
    So tempted to get a hold of a couple LEE filters!! :D

  3. Alan Mackenzie (11 months ago | reply)

    Thank you, Ollie. Maybe you'll receive a LEE Filters set for your 90th birthday...like Co-op funerals and Guinness, some things are worth waiting for!

  4. pierre hanquin (11 months ago | reply)

    I love this great harmony of colors
    fantastic mood

    --
    Seen in my contacts' photos. ( ?² )

  5. Alan Mackenzie (11 months ago | reply)

    If you ever visit England, the Seven Sisters are waiting for you. Many local people take this location for granted; I find it a place of great emotional renewal. Life is so short, one mustn't take familiar sights for granted.

  6. And979 (11 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful shot... and you're definitely right: there is nothing better than realizing that your shots don't need any post-processing.

  7. nick_silkstone (back from a little time out) (11 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful lighting on the cliff face Alan, I can see so much texture through the subtle changes in the white tones. I hope to visit this location myself in the near future. With regards your filter holder I use a Hitech 100mm one, really good quality and I'm pretty sure it is compatable with the Lee filters (No waiting list too!)

  8. life outside the fish bowl (11 months ago | reply)

    such an impressive sight..

  9. Alan Mackenzie (11 months ago | reply)

    The only post-processing required were curves, levels and 10% vibrance.

    Thank you for the suggestion, Nick. I've just purchased a Hi Tech 100mm MK4 filter holder and 77mm adaptor ring. When the LEE Universal Hood arrives after I retire on a local government pension scheme, I will put the Hi Tech equipment on eBay.

  10. donkerdave (11 months ago | reply)

    thumbs up for Cokin

    readily available, widely critised on the 'net

    absolutely fine in reality - fraction of the price, if they get scratched, but a new one

  11. Alan Mackenzie (11 months ago | reply)

    Thank you for your comment. Do you think there's an element of snobbery regarding filters?

  12. mike_orlando (11 months ago | reply)

    Great shot!

  13. donkerdave (11 months ago | reply)

    There certainly is.

    I've just made a 100 inch print, from a negative shot with a cokin grad - you'd have thought at 3 meters wide any faults would show up? Looks fine to me. I think it cost me £6.50 including delivery. I did find an easily correctable colour cast on very long exposures, but they all seem to do that.

  14. Alan Mackenzie (11 months ago | reply)

    Much of the dialogue among photographic commentators and reviewers is clearly influenced by advertisers, namely equipment manufacturers. This is hardly surprising, given that publications make their money, not through sales, but from adverts. I'm sure any editor who allowed their publication to tell the truth about products, would soon find themselves looking for another job. As in mainstream journalism, the industry selects people with conventional, conformist perspectives, which are usually the result of having a 'good' education.

    The only impartial, honest and spin-free review site I've found so far is this one : www.photozone.de

    Have you used LEE and Hi Tech filters before? If so, I'd like to know how they compare to other products. I've only used LEE filters and they are excellent, if a little expensive and maddeningly difficult to obtain.

  15. Roger Voller (11 months ago | reply)

    Great photo of seven sisters, I'm glad you use a correct exposure requiring minimum processing, good on you

  16. Sam J Gibbons (11 months ago | reply)

    Lovely light youve captured on those clifffs.

  17. AbhijeetVardhan (11 months ago | reply)

    Very beautiful location and a wonderful shot!

  18. Kasia Sokulska (KasiaBasic) (11 months ago | reply)

    Oh, that sucks! Especially with these filters being quite pricy you want to take care of them! I hope your order will get processed soon, because they work very well for you. Great capture again. These cliffs are so beautiful!

  19. Brian/Jane (11 months ago | reply)

    Great seascape, definitely unprocessed is best!

  20. stars & rockets (11 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful

  21. BravesTN (11 months ago | reply)

    This is stunning. Very beautiful

  22. Olly Plumstead (11 months ago | reply)

    Obviously quite similar to some of you other shots but I think I like this the best. The waves and details in them make it feel more like I'm standing there and looking out over the cliffs. Good job Alan :)

  23. Olly Plumstead (11 months ago | reply)

    www.amazon.co.uk/Lee-Filter-Holder-Foundation -Kit/dp/B000...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Lee-Filter-Holder-Foundation -Kit/dp/B000...
    I have these two and they have worked perfectly for me for about 8 months now. Worth looking if it's a holder you haven't considered yet? Hope this helps you on your LEE quest!

  24. Olly Plumstead (11 months ago | reply)

    Sorry meant to post this as the second link :www.amazon.co.uk/Lee-Adaptor-77mm-Wide-Angle/ dp/B00009R7Z...

  25. danielecarotenuto.co.uk (11 months ago | reply)

    stunning!!!

  26. pamelalong (11 months ago | reply)

    So agree with you about the natural colors and the right light. This photo is stunning. Best of luck with the equipment. I'm sure you have tried Amazon?

  27. SolitudeWays. (11 months ago | reply)

    Wonderful.

  28. Damian_Ward (11 months ago | reply)

    Loverly, you just need a Spitfire to fly over.

    Seen in 1-2-3 Landscapes

  29. This photo was invited and added to the It's (still) not about you! group.

  30. LifeLover4 (11 months ago | reply)

    Excellent capture! Majestic! Congrats!

  31. mikebfotos (11 months ago | reply)

    wow...isn't this planet amazing?

  32. gato-gato-gato (11 months ago | reply)

    Really great photo.

  33. J.B.C. (11 months ago | reply)

    excelente ...felicidades por el explore.- excellent ... congratulations on the explore.

  34. hirom1009 (11 months ago | reply)

    great wall. congrats for Explore.

    Via Today's Explore at #80 on Fluidr

  35. TGT PHOTO [deleted] (11 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful

  36. Hakahonu<::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: (11 months ago | reply)

    Cool<:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

  37. Alan Mackenzie (11 months ago | reply)

    I'm pleased you've all had the chance to see the Seven Sisters via Explore. You might never have discovered the place; if you ever visit this location, go in mid-summer after 7pm. And don't forget to pop into the Golden Galleon for a pint of Harveys Sussex Best Bitter!

  38. Alan Mackenzie (11 months ago | reply)

    Thank you for your kind words; if photographed properly, a naturally beautiful scene only requires minimal processing.

  39. Alan Mackenzie (11 months ago | reply)

    I've bought a Hi Tech filter holder for use until my LEE Universal Hood arrives.

  40. I Prahin | www.southeastasia-images.com (11 months ago | reply)

    The white is stunning.

  41. AnZanov (11 months ago | reply)

    impressive light.
    fav!

    Via Today's Explore at #80 on Fluidr

  42. Polimo (11 months ago | reply)

    Brilliant shot! Congrats! I use the Hitech universal holder and filters for a while now. You are not going to need the Lee anymore.
    ~ Commented with Flickr Studio for iPad.

  43. ROY_HH (11 months ago | reply)

    Wonderful work!
    Congratulations on Explore!

  44. eLKayPics (10 months ago | reply)

    wunderbar

    Via Today's Explore at #80 on Fluidr

  45. Fluffyclouds111 (10 months ago | reply)

    Wow!

  46. Navaneeth K N (10 months ago | reply)

    Love the framing

  47. Christina.75 (10 months ago | reply)

    great light, love the curves of the cliffs along with the waves

  48. Ostholländer (10 months ago | reply)

    I like the landscape in this beautiful picture.

  49. CNS Photography (10 months ago | reply)

    Great iconic image!

  50. Lord Walt (10 months ago | reply)

    Gorgeous shot! Congratulations on explore!

    Via Today's Explore at #227 on Fluidr

  51. Michel Couprie (10 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful composition, congrats on Explore!

    Via Today's Explore at #227 on Fluidr

  52. Lilla~Rose (10 months ago | reply)

    A wonderful natural shot
    Congratulations on Explore
    my house purchase in Eastbourne is finally happening so I will be seeing these as a "local" before too long..............and my husband says thanks for the tip about the beer as he is a Camra member but not a camera-shooter !

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