Beach Grass Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Update: I didn't hear about the no points day until I read Marriane's note so I'm late in requesting no points in support of world peace - but I certainly do support it.

During much of the summer the California coast is covered by the coastal low overcast. Often as we leave the 8 west freeway, just blocks from our beach home, the temperature drops from an uncomfortable 85 to a much more livable 73 as we slide under the protection of the coastal fog bank. The downside of this comfort is flat photos. I went to this TE meeting expecting flat light and resolved use this as an opportunity to work on managing flat light. The typical choice is B&W as in Peter's excellent work, so I will post a B&W in the WS. Which do you prefer?

Marram Grass, Bent or Beach Grass are common names for two species of grasses of the genus Ammophila growing almost exclusively on coastal sand dunes, where their extensive systems of creeping underground stems or rhizomes allow them to survive in very harsh and windswept ecosystems. Ammophila species are native to the coasts of the North Atlantic Ocean where they are usually the dominant species on sand dunes, but occur only rarely inland.[2]

Marram grass is widely known as an example of a xerophyte, a plant which can withstand arid conditions such as deserts or sandy beaches. Its xerophytic adaptations (mentioned below) allow it to thrive under conditions most plants could not survive.

There are two species of marram grass, barely distinguishable from each other:

Ammophila arenaria - European Marram Grass. Coasts of Europe (north to Iceland) and northwest Africa. Inflorescence to 25 cm long; broad.
Ammophila breviligulata - American Marram Grass or Beach Grass. Coasts of eastern North America, including the shores of the Great Lakes. Inflorescence to 30 cm long; narrower.
The species name "Ammophila (Am-mó-phi-la) " originates from the Greek words of "Ammos", meaning Sand and "Phillia", meaning lover.

Both species are listed as invasive plants in many additional areas, where they were introduced to help reduce sand dune erosion. Particular problems are noted on the Pacific Ocean coast of North America, from California north to British Columbia.

Invasions by non-native aquatic plant and animal species - those that are accidentally or purposely introduced into Oregon's coastal waters and thrive - are among the most severe threats facing marine ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. A number of emerging invaders already threaten critical habitat and vital commercial fish and shellfish species.
Source

The Oregon coastline itself is under siege by American beach grass, which was introduced near the mouth of the Columbia River in the mid-1930s to stabilize beaches.

Ironically, the American species is choking out its predecessor, another invasive species known as European beach grass, first introduced at the turn of the 20th century to help stabilize blowing sand along the coast. Sally Hacker, an associate professor of zoology at Oregon State University and an expert on marine and estuarine communities, said the European grass "did its job extremely well. Without it, the sand would cover towns and roads."

The European species thrived so well that by the time folks brought in its American cousin in the 1930s, the European grass had spread along the entire Oregon coast. In the process, it created an extensive "foredune" system - those enormous, protective sand hills seen in front of nearly every sandy beach along Oregon's shoreline.

"These dunes can provide significant protection for homes, roads, towns, and other infrastructure, and serve as a barrier against flooding during major storm surges, and perhaps even tsunamis," noted Hacker in a news release from the OSU College of Science.

Source

feather, portmanndominic, Dpbours, Floydian, Emile, bakes888, jlbrthnn, xuaxo, danos, pablominto, robertosalguero has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

portmanndominic (2388) 2008-07-01 7:58

Hello Pat

original POV , good colours on the first scene the sand and the grass , for me I think to make a focus only to this and not on the backgrounds who have a sad light
best regards
Dominic

MiguelP (14336) 2008-07-01 8:05

Hi Pat, this photo reminds me to a Warren Beaty´s film "Reds" they walked through a landscape like this... About the photographic side of it, I like how you have handle the light here, with the mountains in the shadow, I also feel touched by the simple subject of this composion, simple but rather poetic.
Take care,
Miguel

feather (50122) 2008-07-01 8:06

Flat light is the bane of my life living here. As far as I have discovered concentrating on small details is best like you have done here. Using layers and masks it is possible to inject some life but the real good light cannot be beaten. I think I prefer the colour but then I probably would. B&W is not my forte at all, but I was told channel mixer is a better way of converting as you have lots of sliders to play with. CS3 has another thing just called black & white in with the adjustments menu, and I think I read in a photo mag that is even better. Rob always says good light is even more important for B&W. Your image should have some true white, true black and at least 9 shades of grey. Don't ask where I heard that last little nugget. I forget.
I hope you get some good advice. I will watch out for it.
When do you go to Ireland?
Kath

Dpbours (220) 2008-07-01 10:07

Hi Pat,

Amazing how much one can tell about grass!
And you are not even Dutch! Then it would not at all surprise me if you had all the knowledge about all types of grass ;-).
Very nice how the sun hits the foreground and the light gradually diminishes towards the back of the composition. Great!

Greetings,
Dennis

siggi (1419) 2008-07-01 10:11

Hello Pat,
Excellent job with beautiful photo, wonderful colors and a very beautiful comp.
Regards
Siggi

Floydian (30970) 2008-07-01 11:07

Hello Patricia,

I prefer this colour version. why? Because only desaturation doesn't bring you a nice deep b&w. You have to work harder to get a perfect b&w. Yes i know, it's very difficult, can give you a larger depression than a colour version.

So therefor i like this one, especially the grass in the foreground which adds nice contrast to the landscape. Seems the crop was essentiel and you thought about it, that's good.
Light is indeed flat, but not that bad that this picture could not be posted..!!!

Regards, Henk

p.s.
Thanks for you honest and beautiful words on my picture, it's highly appreciated.

Valerka (8159) 2008-07-01 11:20

Hi,Pat,
A simple but ;ovely shot with implied idea of movement.The colours are very nice and natural.I've seen sth similar on our beaches, too.
TFS
Valerka:)

danyy (69393) 2008-07-01 12:42

Bonjour Pat,
ces herbes rejettent pas mal de lumières et apportent de la fraicheur. Le faible DOF donne du relief à l'avant plan.
Regards.
Daniel.

avene (11124) 2008-07-01 13:28

hello Pat,
I understand very well your frustration with flat light, it can ruin the most beautiful landscape, and there's almost nothing you can do about it.
on the other hand, where there's a will, there's a way :) I like a lot how you have focused attention on the small patch of grass that DOES have some light on it, it's definitely a way around the flat light. I know nothing about B&W, but I prefer the colour version, for some reason the B&W version looks even flater. here, on the other hand, the subtle change in tones brings out the texture both in the grass and in the sad, creating a delicate-looking image. nice :) and thanks for the great note.

regards,
Kristine

MarianneS (14402) 2008-07-01 14:02

Hello Pat,
This is a simple but wonderful shot.
I wish I could sit there and enjoy the view and the atmosphere.
My preference goes to the coloured version :-)
I am participating to the 'no point day' action today, so... I will just give you a big smile :-))
Take care,
Marianne

Emile (20107) 2008-07-01 22:13

Hola Pat.
Excellent composition with the sand and high grass in the fg and the blurred DOF. Very well captured. Good colors and POV. I'm not fan of B&W shots, colors shots are my preference.
Well done. TFS.
Cheers.

bakes888 (18327) 2008-07-02 0:21

Hi Pat. We have this grass growing rampant here also. So much so that the native has all but been lost. Moves are being made to reintroduce the native vegetation where they can. Well captured shot, good use of shallow DOF and light to separating the subject from the BG. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

jlbrthnn (38867) 2008-07-02 3:24

Hello Pat,
The light illuminates the good place, putting forward sand and grass with its gilded colors. It is a beautiful image of nature, presented in an adequate format. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

xuaxo (5835) 2008-07-02 4:32

Olá Pat
An opportunity to work on managing flat light?
You did it very well. It seems the grass was illuminated just for your beautiful photo.
SAA,
F.

pablominto (41314) 2008-07-02 23:42

Hello Pat,

Fine details in the grass and sand!
The light makes the grass stand out well against the darker background, and the composition has a fine main diagonal...
Certainly a peaceful place!

Greetings,
Pablo -

danos (33192) 2008-07-03 2:42

Hello Pat,
nice shot with a brilliant light to floodlight the foreground beach grass,thanks for the name.Here in Greece we have a lot of dunes that have a lot of colonies of these beach grasses, that indeed survive in very harsh and windswept ecosystems.Well done.

Regards,danos

azaf1 (15547) 2008-07-03 5:33

Hi Pat
Much as it is simple in its content one can not but notice this excellent play of light and shadow and the shapes included in the frame. The lit foregraound with the dunes, look like the Michigan lake dunes in two colors and curve contrasted with the darker background that emphasizes even more the scanty vegetation in the sand
A very nice composition, indeed
TFS
Argiris

Angshu (34089) 2008-07-05 22:09

Hello Pat
Your low POV, the ripples of the sand, the tall grass & the dark BG, making the grasses glow as light falls on them. Given the light conditions, your crop is perfectly in order, and I do prefer the colour version. I am too, like Kath, not an expert in B&W, but I do think exposure & light is more important in that version because your represent everything in either pure black, white or shades of grey.
Best Regards
Angshu

Bluejeans (33017) 2008-07-08 10:59

Ola Pat,
Bonita composição com estas pequenas dunas cobertas de plantas , gostei muito do contraste entre o amarelo e o verde , o fundo desfocado deu bastante profundidade ,parabéns!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

robertosalguero (110) 2008-07-11 2:48

Hi Pat,

Very informative note about grass. I like this view because it is peaceful. The grass does make this scene more interesting as oppossed as having just sand dunes around. The light on the foreground is very good enhancing the details on the grass. Thanks Pat :-)

Rob

gunbud (28143) 2008-07-23 19:28

Hi Pat,
Lovely simple image these thick blades of beach grass seen in perfect light that brings out the beautiful tones of green and gold. Very pleasing textures seen in the foreground sand.
Regards, Tom

kmarscher (2881) 2008-08-12 18:41

Very, very well done, Pat. Not a typical shot of the grasses. I like your use of the Cokin, attention to the lighting, and accurate use of focal point. My, your talent has developed and I have to revisit more often for creative inspiration.
Best regards,
Kathy

m22 (0) 2008-12-05 2:03

Hello,

I'm a french web designer and I would like to use your photo (beach grass 916011) for the website of brittany region.
Please, can you tell me if it's possible and the credit we have to indicate?
Sorry, I don't speak english very well...
I can send you an overview of the project.
If you are interested could you send me your email adress?
Bests regards
Manon

jwmunro (6251) 2009-08-11 13:58

Hello Pat -

I missed this one last year. You were very observant to capture the light only on the grass. The is a compelling image with nice textures and soft colors. Well seen and presented!

Thank you for sharing.

John