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Natures Spotlight

Taken while touring Yucatan, Mexico 2012 with Canon Rebel Xsi equipped with standard 18-55mm lens. Due to low light and "slow lens", I wasn't sure I could get ...
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Taken while touring Yucatan, Mexico 2012 with Canon Rebel Xsi equipped with standard 18-55mm lens. Due to low light and "slow lens", I wasn't sure I could get a picture of this brilliant light majestically illuminating a lone swimmer. Exposed for 1-2 sec. f 3.5 at 18mm
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Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi

settings

Aperture f/3.5 ISO 800 Shutter 4/10

upload_date

Apr, 2013

Views

546

Likes

+10

Awards

Action Award

Zenith Award

Creative Winter Award

Curator's Selection

Top Shot Award 21

Legendary Award

Cool Capture

Superb Composition

+11

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Choice

Outstanding Creativity

Jaw Dropping

Exceptional Contrast

One Of A Kind

Peer Award

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in a cenote in Valladolid, Mexico during a tour of of the area. We were fortunate to have found a local taxi driver that took us to some of the most wonderful hidden treasures in the Yucatan Peninsula. This was my first trip to a cenote and must admit that I was quite taken with this underground swimming hole's natural beauty.

Time

If my memory serves me correct, this image was taken around high noon in Mexico's August heat. The outside temperature was pushing a 100 and the humidity was almost unbearable. Not knowing what awaited us, I remember entering into the darkness of the cavern with a bit of excitement and welcoming the cool damp air. As my eyes adjusted, I was taken by caves majestic beauty and surprised by how many people were escaping the heat with an afternoon dip. Having left my tripod behind, it was a bit of a chore to find a spot to steady and capture a correct exposure.

Lighting

The brilliance of the sun gleaming through the earths surface in the dark cavern, was breathtaking and inspiring. I wasn't sure my Canon Rebel 450d would allow me to capture the details and light the way I was imagining it, especially without a tripod, but I had to try. As swimmers, one by one, swam into the natural spotlight, I made numerous attempts to capture their illuminated silhouettes. All I could think was "If only I figure out how to capture illuminated the person under the light without losing the cave wall details".... I wouldn't know until I got back to the home a week or more after taking the pictures, if any of images turned out.

Equipment

This photo was taken with a Canon Rebel 450d equipped with a dedicated 18mm-55mm lens, opened to 18mm at f / 3.5. At the time, I was still shooting jpeg and wishing I better, faster lens and tripod!

Inspiration

If you're a shutterbug and love the light, this was a perfect setup! Watching how the light almost glowed through people when they were under the spotlight was an awesome sight, one that I have a hard time putting into words. The Cenote's beauty was unlike anything I had ever seen. I just had to find a way to share my experience with my friends and family!

Editing

The edit for this image was done quite sometime ago so I don't recall the specifics. The photo was shot in JPEG and post processed in Lightroom and Photoshop. The exposure was increased as well as the color saturation. Additionally I removed some objects from the water that distracted from the overall image. This image is one of the reasons I now shoot in RAW instead of JPEG. I find that JPEG limits my editing abilities, especially if I want to change something drastically.

In my camera bag

My bags been upgraded since this trip. Nowadays, my backpack holds a Canon 6D typically equipped with a standard 24-105mm lens much of the time as well as Canon 70-200mm L series lens. Additional equipment includes a YN560II Speedlight, extra batteries/charger, an LED light, a remote control for the camera, a lightweight Tripod and 3 high speed SD cards. My favorite and most used piece of gear, however, is my SpiderPro Holster. Not only is the most convenient camera holder I have ever used, my neck and back no longer hurt after carrying a camera all day making it more convenient to take my camera everywhere!

Feedback

Using a low ISO and slow down your shutter speed. Using a tripod will make this a lot easier. I would also recommend shooting in raw for this one, but that's a matter of preference.

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talkinagain

talkinagain

Natures Spotlight

Taken while touring Yucatan, Mexico 2012 with Canon Rebel Xsi equipped with standard 18-55mm lens. Due to low light and "slow lens", I wasn't sure I could get ... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow talkinagain

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Taken while touring Yucatan, Mexico 2012 with Canon Rebel Xsi equipped with standard 18-55mm lens. Due to low light and "slow lens", I wasn't sure I could get ...
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