douglasdrouin
FollowViews
3207
Likes
Awards
Featured
Contest Finalist in Water In B&W Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Shades Of Gray Photo Contest
Winner in Still Waters In B&W Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Genius
Top Ranks
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo on Skaha Lake in Penticton BC late March as a friend was pulling his kayak from the water a few short days after buying a new wide angle lens.Time
It was about 11:00 A.M. if I recall because there was no other traffic on the water and the still visible mist was quite prominent.Lighting
The lighting was as always seems to be in this area. A local inversion was just breaking allowing for some crepuscular lighting to shine through the clouds and giving me the option of shooting at a slightly higher aperture. So nice and cloudy, no variable shading or lighting to be seen in the foreground at allEquipment
I had my Nikon D610 and a Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8 lens I had just purchased. I opted for a hand held shot as I'd left my tripod in the car and ran to the beach as he was pulling his boat from the water.Inspiration
I knew that he was out this morning as we'd talked about me joining him but I had other engagements to meet. As I was driving back in I saw him pass under the bridge overlooking the river as it emptied in to the lake and make a gentle turn towards the lake front. In March this lake is as still as glass and I basically peeled off of the light in a bid to make the parking lot and run to the beach before he left the water. I left my car in a dead sprint to ensure I got some shots of him cutting through the lake and then as he pulled his kayak out I opted to lay belly down and grabbed a few of these still shotsEditing
Yes, I try to minimalize my editing, but so few images are had in this world without adjustments when shooting in RAW. I brought this in to lightroom 5and made minor contrast and exposure adjustments. Opted to dodge and burn some areas and then further brought in the mountains and sand around the front of the boat via NIK Colour and a detail adjustmentIn my camera bag
I got in to photography with a Nikon D5100 and an 18-55mm which I shot religiously for years. I now travel with a minimum of a speedlight, a Nikon D750 and D610, 70-200mm 2.8; 14-24mm 2.8 and 24-70mm 2.8 as well as a Vello Shutter boss remote and intervelometer and optional ND filters But the truth is, as much as new gear helped with detail, faster shots and enhanced lighting. The truth is I had and have more fun with my 18-55 which I still use to this day with my kids and in a pinch for fun. The best camera is now and will always be the one in your handFeedback
Advice for capturing a similar shot? Get off your couch. Stop reading about other people's experiences and go create your own. Don't overthink things, don't shoot at eye level. Get low, get high try new things. We're in a digital age where taking 2000 shots on a card is not going to break the bank. They say your first 10,000 shots are your worst. They were also my favorites. The end result is getting up in the morning, ensuring you have a camera at hand no matter where you are is all you need to do to capture a similar or far better shot than this one. No great adventure started by not leaving the couch.