melaniegentry

Skies Ablaze

Nov, 2015

Views

868

Likes

+154

Awards

Winner in Inspring Sunsets Photo Challenge

Staff Winter Selection 2015

Superb Composition

+27

Peer Award

+18

Absolute Masterpiece

+15

Top Choice

+11

Magnificent Capture

Outstanding Creativity

All Star

Love it

Superior Skill

Genius

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

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Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

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Top 30 rank week 1

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That is a glorious sky!

Thank you!

PRO+

Congratulations on the sunset win - amazing clouds!!

Thank you!

Wow!!! Amazing clouds!! Love it! Congratulations on winning the Challenge!

Thank you! :)

PRO+

Brilliant. Congratulations.

Thank you!

See all

Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

Summer storm over Guadalupe Mountains National Park

One of many hidden gems at GMNP in west Texas.

Wind swept gypsum and sweet morning light.

Behind The Lens

Location

The photo was shot in the Chihuahuan desert region of far west Texas in the small farming community of Dell City, nestled at the base of the western escarpment of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Time

Shot at sunset three days before the autumnal equinox of 2015, it was a beautiful way to close the chapter on a magnificent summer and welcome fall at the same time.

Lighting

The natural glow of the sunset danced across the clouds giving the appearance of a fiery river flowing through the sky.

Equipment

Shot on a tripod with Nikon D7100, Nikkor 18-200mm @ 35mm, ISO 100, f/11 @ 1/100

Inspiration

I have long been distracted by our beautiful “west Texas" sunsets! After a long and hard day’s work on our family farm, my Dad would wind down by sitting outside and basking in the glowing warmth of the setting sun. Following his passing in 1993, it became a part of the healing process to try to capture and preserve on film, and now on a memory card, fond memories of the peace and pleasure he derived from his end of day ritual. Today, when I am stressed, depressed, or just bored I grab my camera bag and tripod and head out the door for a little therapy and distraction from the daily grind.

Editing

I shoot in RAW and the only post was done in Adobe Camera Raw, including a slight adjustment to the white balance to bring out the true warmth of the scene and a nudge on the vibrance slider.

In my camera bag

Depends on what I'm going out for, but I usually carry my Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5, Tokina 11-16mm f2.8, and Tokina 100mm f2.8 macro. I always have a tripod with me, along with my remote, extra batteries and memory cards.

Feedback

For me it is all about INTUITION...when you turn your lens to a subject be it a beautiful landscape, the skies above or whatever draws your attention...See it, Feel it, Trust it! When composing an image I’m looking for several things like balance, symmetry, tonal range, etc. The most important thing is to show up and shoot, even if the weather doesn't look like it will cooperate you never know what you'll come away with.

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melaniegentry

melaniegentry

Skies Ablaze

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow melaniegentry

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