Murrays Beach Photo

Photographer’s Note

Jervis Bay is reputed to have the whitest sand in the world, and with it, some of the cleanest waters. Murray’s Beach at the southern end of the Bay has all of that, plus it has the added feature of being somewhat isolated with great shallow, turquoise waters.

To get here you need to drive to Jervis Bay, about 3 hours south of Sydney, follow the Jervis Bay Road to then end, (which means you will leave New South Wales and enter the Australian Capital Territory, and pay 10 dollars to enter Booderee National Park), then you park your car and walk another 1 and a half kilometers to get to the beach. It is well worth it. It is the whitest sand I’ve seen and the cleanest water, and I’ve seen a lot of sand and water. This is a beach they should use for the movies, (maybe they do).

We were there on Mother’s Day, it was a little chilly so there were only a couple of others there. Still from a photography point of view, maybe this is the kind of day you want. In this shot you can see the beach (I should have put some of my footprints in it), the turquoise water, Bowen Island is the one on the left, with Governor Head across from it. The Eucalypts you see along the beach are part of the Booderee National Park. There are amazing walking trails in here with all kinds of wildlife. It’s a great spot to go for some scenic or wildlife photography.

You can read more on this area here: http://www.walkabout.com.au/locations/NSWJervisBay.shtml

Workflow:
I follow a generic workflow now as outlined in my Bio.
Details and differences to this are as follows:
Shot taken at 18mm, ISO 250, f/13, 1/250 sec
Levels tweaked further by eye
Saturation increased to +35 on master, (to match web colour – proof colours with shot)
Overlay layer with 5-10% opacity black brush used for burning
Saved at 84% quality for 194K

ribeiroantonio, Waylim, SteveH, zeca, bakes888, pablominto, daddo, chpp, jusninasirun, MLINES, mvdisco, PixelTerror, pierrefonds, plimrn, wishlist, BWJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ribeiroantonio (21917) 2008-05-15 20:48

First, the photo, it is imply beautiful. Australia is a very fortunate country for the immensity of wonderful beaches all around the coast. Clean sand and blue/green waters are everywhere and the most important they are deserted (OK, I am not talking about Bondi Beach!!!)

Second, learning about the world. I have been in Australia for 21 years and have never heard about the Jervis Bay Territory. When I saw the location of the photo and the note I jumped over my Australian maps and did a quick research on the matter.

Wikipedia gave me a quick answer to my question which I transcribe below for all who are interested in this kind of things. Many thanks John for the opportunity to know a bit more about the country I also call mine.

From Wikipedia:

The Jervis Bay Territory is a territory of the Commonwealth of Australia. It was bought by the Commonwealth Government in 1915 from the state of New South Wales so that the Federal capital at Camberra would have access to the sea. It was part of the Australian Capital Territory until 1989 when the ACT achieved self government, after which it became a separate territory administered by the Minister for Territories. However, it is still counted as part of the ACT for the purpose of the ACT's representation in the Senate and it forms part of the Division of Fraser for House of Representatives purposes.

Waylim (10817) 2008-05-15 20:52

John,
Wow, such a pristine beach with beautiful white sand and perfectly clear turquoise water and only one person is there, you can barely see her. I think it's a female :) Okay, so it's was chilly. Perfect for such beautiful clean and simple composition that evokes sense of peace and tranquility. Perfect sharpness and Post process. Thanks for this scene.
Way

SteveH (3911) 2008-05-15 21:20

Hi John, there you go, I thought the ACT was land locked! Exposure was good, nothing blown out, even with the sun on the white sand, and the tres are still visible. Some footprints would have been good but the compositon works without. Looks like a great spot. Is that a sunbather I see in the distance? Must have been frozen! Cheers, Steve

Oldtree (2457) 2008-05-15 22:32

Hi John,
a really beautiful place you show us here. The inclusion of the white sand and the water in the foreground are well chosen and give the whole scene this nice atmosphere.

Giorgio (8710) 2008-05-15 23:52

- Very nice dream landscape with this beach with white sand, the transparency of crystalline water, points out the sea to me as one finds it in Corsica, it very is successful, well done!
Have a good weekend.
giorgio

bakes888 (18221) 2008-05-16 1:02

Hi John. Looks like a slice of paradise! Too cold for swimming here also with frosts becoming more common every week. Well composed, I love the sweep of the bay and the triangle of bush. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

Taralee (64) 2008-05-16 2:04

Beautiful pristine scene, great photo - thanks for sharing and for the notes about Jervis Bay/ACT.

pablominto (40732) 2008-05-16 5:33

Hello John,
A lovely beach indeed, the sand seems fantastic!
My eyes are attracted to the patterns made by the foam, and further out the wonderful colour of the sea...
A simple but well balanced composition with good lines!
Greetings,
Pablo -

daddo (11365) 2008-05-16 5:43

Hi John. Pristine and so peaceful. Your POV has created an inviting place as you reveal the white sand and the gentle wash of the waves.It looks very clean. Regards. Klaudio.

albertz (2310) 2008-05-16 7:27

Excellent shot John. I guess you have captured the moment when the beach at its best beauty. The curvature of the water from the lower left to the upper right leads us to the brooding hills. Though the sky is not at its best, i think you have captured this well.

Albert

chpp (3982) 2008-05-16 12:46

Hi John
very nice beach shot. great perspectvie and colours, good light and very nice composition
have a nice weekend
chris

jusninasirun (10205) 2008-05-16 17:59

Hello John. You are right about the pure white sand and the turquoise water. I like it better here when you captured it in low angle exposing the main part with the wet sand and clear water in the foreground. The curve shoreline definitely makes excellent leading perspective and looking at the thick lush green trees, it really is heavenly for wildlife shooters. Thanks for sharing and best regards. Jusni

MLINES (10884) 2008-05-16 18:44

Hi John, A good composition of this South Coast beach. I haven't been there but it looks like a greta palce to be especially without crowds as you mention. Many of the tropical beaches are beaautiful but can be very hot during the daylight hours. Well times as the small wave coats the sand, and invitation to walk along this beach. TFS. Murray.

zeca (20026) 2008-05-16 20:18

Beautiful low POV, John! The white balance is also very nice, capturing the sand very well. Well taken! Its a beautiful beach!
Regards,
Zeca

mvdisco (11523) 2008-05-16 20:48

Hi John,
Very nice compositon of the beach, I love the perpective of the sea and beautiful colors and sharp picture , Excellent done .
Michel

skippy007 (7053) 2008-05-16 21:11

Hello John, Beautiful beach very well captured from a low POV capturing the gentle waves & white sand. Lovely natural looking colours. Thanks for an nice photo & a interesting & informative note.
See ya.
Santo

Blairfraser (847) 2008-05-19 6:37

Hi John.

This is a really good picture! The colours here are just great. Your composition is also very good.

Very well done!

Blair

PixelTerror (86138) 2008-05-20 1:45

Hi John,
i guess each and every place will compete for this best white sand contest... but I have seen other places equally beautiful, which does not mean this one is bad, it is superb as this well exposed and deep photo shows us, plus being so empty it makes us even more envious.
Have a nice day JY

pierrefonds (26309) 2008-05-20 4:06

Hi John,

The curve of the beach leads our eyes toward the narrow passage in the background. The mixture of the beach the sea and the forest are assets to the composition. The photo is clear andd precise. The light brings out the beauty of the colors. have a nice day.

Pierre

plimrn (19664) 2008-05-22 21:32

Hi John,
The skim of clear water seems to emphasize the whiteness of the sand as it externds the curve of the shoreline. The hillside creates a nice diagonal under the low clouds. The colors are true and the note interesting. Australia does have wonderful beaches and your composition gives a very real sense of the expansive feeling of the beaches.

I also really liked your intro note; it is very useful. I'll hasve to see if I can follow your steps.
HLJ, Pat

waminda2020 (409) 2008-05-25 3:07

john, nice capture - there are many lovely beaches around jervis bay. The water is crystal clear and usually safe to swim in summer. I like the depth you have in this shot and the way the wave is just washing up onto the sand - bravo!

crckt (7076) 2008-05-25 6:13

Hi John,
Good sharpness and clarity as usual. The color of the water makes this shot very pleasing.
Thanks for sharing,
Shaeri

wishlist (4133) 2008-05-27 7:58

Hi John,
beautiful view of the pristine beach and its amazing contrast with the turquoise of the water. The absence of people add a great feeling of silence and solitude..beautiful!
and after your email we're very very close to enjoy the life in this country ;o)
speak to you later.
Cheers,

Igor

devimeuxbe (55865) 2008-05-28 2:15

Hi John
beautifull beach
I like this wild atmosphere and the beautifull shrapness you get.
Well done
Bertrand

delkoo (34296) 2008-05-30 2:30

hi john,
The clarity of this image is excellent. Well composed with good depth, colour and sharpness. The view is peaceful
.

best regards
didier

westozman (2869) 2008-06-11 17:00

G'day John!
You just can't beat an Aussie beach shot to warm the soul, eh? This one's a beauty, too - but I'd have to claim WA's beaches around Esperance as having the whitest and purest sand! I'll try and post some from that area next time I visit.

Best wishes,
Jeff

BWJ (1773) 2008-06-20 18:26

Hello John,
The clear turquoise water and fine white sand on the deserted beach look very inviting. Your POV and composition are excellent. It's just beautiful.
Warm wishes,
Betty