Silence at Sea

Project: Folon’s La Mer & The Art of Long Exposure

“Fine Art photography is rarely a lucky accident. It is the result of meticulous planning, solving logistical puzzles, and executing a precise technical workflow.”

Camera
Sony A7R V
Lens
Sigma 35mm f/1.4
Filter
Benro ND1000
Loc
Knokke-Heist

Next Sunday, the mission is clear: capturing Jean-Michel Folon’s iconic sculpture “La Mer, ce grand sculpteur”. The goal is not a snapshot. We aim to transform the turbulent North Sea into a silky, ethereal mist that isolates the bronze figure in total silence.

Jean-Michel Folon Statue

The Target: Folon’s “La Mer” on the breakwater. (Photo: VWAmFot)

1. Location Intelligence

The sculpture sits on a low breakwater near Zeedijk-Het Zoute. It interacts with the ocean, which makes tide planning critical.

🚗 Parking Strategy

Carrying heavy gear (tripod, filters, waders) requires planning. We have identified two prime spots:

  • Option A: Along the Kustlaan (Street parking).
  • Option B: Underground parking Minigolf (Zoutelaan). Ideally situated for a quick walk to the dike.

The Tide Strategy: Neap Tide

For this shoot, we rely on a Neap Tide (Doodtij). Unlike a Spring Tide which swallows the statue, a Neap Tide keeps the water lower. This creates the perfect condition where the waves gently wash around the statue’s feet without submerging it completely.

💡 PhotoPills & The Golden Hour

Timing isn’t just about water; it’s about light. We use the PhotoPills App to pinpoint the exact start of the “Golden Hour” in Knokke (approx. 1 hour before sunset).

  • Why? The low sun angle creates soft, warm light that compliments the bronze statue.
  • The Plan: Arrive early (HW – 2 hours) to capture the transition from Golden Hour into the cooler Blue Hour tones.

2. The Gear Dilemma & Fixes

Here is the technical challenge: I am shooting with the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art. It is razor-sharp, but it has a small 67mm filter thread. My professional Benro filters are standard 77mm.

The €11 Solution

Buying new filters is a waste. We use a 67mm-77mm Step-Up Ring. This adapter allows us to mount the larger glass onto the smaller lens without any vignetting.

The Tape Hack

Adapters can leave a tiny 1mm gap. In a 30s exposure, this causes Light Leaks (purple flares).

Fix: Use Black Gaffer Tape to seal the gap between filter and lens.

3. Technical Workflow

Shooting a 60-megapixel Long Exposure is unforgiving. Any vibration will ruin the shot. Here is the strict configuration.

Critical Camera Configuration
f/8
Sharpest Point
100
Low Noise ISO
OFF
IBIS (Crucial!)
  1. Compose: Set up the tripod low (hip height). Use spikes for stability.
  2. Focus: Acquire focus, then switch to Manual Focus (MF).
  3. Filter: Slide in the Benro ND1000.
  4. Shoot: Use a remote trigger or 2-second timer.

4. Understanding the ND1000

The ND1000 “sunglasses” block 10 stops of light, forcing the shutter to stay open longer. This creates the silky water effect.

Base Shutter (No Filter)With ND1000 Filter
1/1000 sec1 sec
1/125 sec8 sec
1/60 sec16 sec
1/30 sec32 sec (Seascape Standard)
1/15 sec1 minute

5. FAQ: 10 Steps to Mastery

1. Why is my screen black after attaching the filter?
It blocks 10 stops of light. Use “Live View Display: Setting Effect ON” or compose before adding the filter.
2. How do I calculate time?
Use PhotoPills. Or count stops: 1/30s becomes 30s.
3. Why are photos blurry on a tripod?
Usually because SteadyShot (IBIS) is left ON. Turn it OFF. Also check wind.
4. What are purple flares?
Light leaks. Cover the viewfinder and tape the filter ring.
5. Strange colors in the photo?
ND filters cause color casts. Always shoot RAW to fix White Balance later.
6. Do I need Long Exposure Noise Reduction?
For >30s exposures: Yes. It takes longer but removes hot pixels.
7. Why use a Step-Up ring?
It allows using 77mm filters on 67mm lenses. Saves money.
8. What is Bulb mode?
It allows exposures longer than 30 seconds. You need a remote trigger.
9. Should I use f/22?
No. Diffraction makes images soft. Stick to f/8 or f/11.
10. Why use spikes on the tripod?
To grip into wet, slippery stones on the breakwater.
⚠️ Safety First
The breakwater is slippery. Always probe the ground with a stick before stepping, and wear waders.

Stay tuned for the final results next week.