Gerry Allen, Standing By (MINIMALISM - Entries close 31 July 2026)

I wanted to keep this shot as simple and clean as possible. I used a 200mm lens to zoom right in on the channel marker, which helped flatten the background and cut out any clutter around the edges. I set up on a tripod with a 10-stop Neutral Density filter to take a 150 second exposure. This smoothed out the water completely, giving it a glassy, still look and removing any harsh glares. I placed the horizon low in the frame to let the vast sky and water take over the space. In editing, it was all about keeping things clean. I touched up a few little distraction spots in the water and dialed in the colors so the blues felt smooth and consistent from top to bottom. I also made sure the bright green marker stood out just enough to draw the eye without overpowering the peaceful feel of the scene. For me, minimalism is about stripping away everything you don't need until you're left with just the bare essentials—pure color, open space, and a single spot to focus on. Canon 5D Mk3. Canon 70-200L 2.8 @f6.3 150 second exposure with a 10 stop Neutral Density filter ISO 100

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