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emicrolight

Hero3-Black Edition

settings

Aperture f/2.8 ISO 119 Shutter 1/480 Focal Length 277/100

upload_date

Sep, 2015

Views

580

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+94

Awards

Featured

Contest Finalist in Wide Angle & Fish Eye Photo Contest

Peer Award

+61

Superb Composition

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

Magnificent Capture

All Star

Superior Skill

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 2

Great Wide angle! Congrats on the finalist!

The Gascoyne is the longest river in West Australia. The 'upside-down' river flows all year, although two thirds of that time it is below the surface. The camera is a GoPro Hero 3 + which we taped to the wing of a microlight. Very little photoshop is used.

Brilliant shot!

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

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Behind The Lens

Location

The photo was taken from a friend's microlight flying above the Gascoygne River in the north west of Australia. The Gascoyne is the longest river in West Australia. The 'upside-down' river flows all year, although two thirds of that time it is below the surface. The camera is a GoPro Hero 3 + which we taped to the tip ot the wing of a microlight.

Time

Because of the strong winds in Carnarvon we have to wait for a calm day and when that happened went out early in the morning.

Lighting

The best thing about the light is it's bright and clear. The air is unpolluted. Tens of thousands of miles of deserted land on one side, and Africa thousands of miles across the sea on the other side.

Equipment

A GoPro Hero 3 black was taped to the tip of the wing of the two seater microlight and set to fire every five seconds. The camera angle was guesswork and we landed on a very rough dirt track so that I could change film card and whatever happened in the process, this was the last photo. Even with 'no wind' it was a little bumpy and all credit to GoPro's for taking the shots they do. I do use photoshop but in this case next to none.

Inspiration

To get to Carnarvon which is around 900 kilometres from Perth it's either a full days drive or a $1000 round trip airfare so you need inspiration to make the journey. In this case the pilot, a friend who lives in this 'apparent' wasteland, was the catalyst. What on the ground looks like red dust, bush and dried out river beds, becomes an aesthetic array of patterns from the air. After days of photographing patterns both in the ocean and on the land it's interesting this less abstract shot was one of the better ones.

Editing

Almost none. I straightened the curve at first but this looks better. There is a bit of added colour as this land is bleached by the harshness. There is some minor sharpening.

In my camera bag

Because Australia is so big, or I'm travelling, or near where I live it's climbing, I carry as little as possible. This would be an Canon EOS 7D and a 24-105 1:4 IS zoom lens. The Canon zoom lens EF 70-300mm1:4-5.6L IS USM would be included if I can carry a little more weight. Third choice is the above plus a Canon EFS10-20mm wide angle. If I can carry a tripod it's a Benro. I have, but rarely use, a portrait lens and a close up macro lens and an spare Canon EOS 400D. I also try to take a DJI Phantom 2 with a GoPro hero 3 black and another DJI Phantom 2 with a GoPro 4 black. If I can keep them airborne for more than three months they might get some good photos!

Feedback

Really the main thing is to give everything a go. My friend with the microlight has $50,000 worth of Canon cameras and lenses and here we are using duct tape to lash a GoPro to the tip of his aircraft. Look at the best pictures in places like Viewbug and don't be afraid of asking anyone how they took the shot. Use you tube and the net to learn how to do the basics and don't forget them. Speaking of that always make sure you have new batteries and an empty card and carry spares.

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emicrolight

Behind The Lens

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