michaelhostetler

RVA Skyline October 2015

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

settings

Aperture f/9 ISO 100 Shutter 30/1 Focal Length 24/1

upload_date

Nov, 2015

Views

265

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Staff Winter Selection 2015

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

This "double exposure" was taken with the shutter only for 4 seconds in pitch black. Positioned himself on the right first-fired my flash, then he hop

"Before you can see the light, you have to stand above the darkness."

The ball just dropped and snapped this happy couple on New Year's Eve.

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo downtown "RVA" aka Richmond, VA. Along the historic canal walk bordering the James River. Typically one of the top spots to grab an easily accessible photograph of the city skyline.

Time

I was out to meet a client later in the evening. Thought I'd take advantage of my time and take a walk to reflect, decompress from a busy work day, and clear my mind. This city always does that to me. Around 6pm it's typically dark in late October. I knew I wanted to capture a night time shot.

Lighting

As far as lighting I knew a long exposure was the way to go. I wanted bright lights and still maintain some clarity and let the city light up as much of the foreground as possible reflecting into the river. I did fire a flash to assist, but mostly natural lighting and time helped get the reflection I needed.

Equipment

As far as equipment I used a Canon 5DMKII with a Canon 24mm prime at f/9.0 for 30sec, ISO 100, mounted on a MeFOTO roadTrip aluminum travel tripod. Fired a Canon 430 EXII as well. Did not use a shutter release in this case. I actually forgot to bring it along.

Inspiration

Well I knew I wanted to try something different and "artsy" from what I've typically felt from my previous photos of the skyline. No matter how many photos will ever be taken or have been taken of the RVA Skyline from this angle, there's one thing that's going to happen... They're all going to come out different. That's what makes this unique. The subject may still be of the RVA skyline, but it's mine. It reflects how I view the city at that moment in time. Whether I love it, hate it, glad to be here, reflect my frustrations with life, or see the serenity of fall and in the colors of the skyline.

Editing

I did edit this in LR (Lightroom). I knew I couldn't get the artsy-moody feel I was experiencing at the time, so knew making adjustments were going to happen. I basically enhance the saturation in the colors reflecting in the waters and de-saturated the top half of the city itself while keeping the highway leading into the city core colored as well. Kind of exploring the fact it was late October as we head into a bleak winter. I took a long walk-probably couple of miles actually. Walked across that bridge to meet a client later and it was windy and chilly. Those were factors in my editing process. Also, some brushing clarity and lighting up the foreground as well used.

In my camera bag

I usually bring my Lowpro backpack. It's time to upgrade now, but it's sleek and doesn't typically show off you're a photographer with loads of gear. but usually keep my Canon 5DMKII, Canon 24mm prime, Canon 50mm prime w/lens hood, Canon 70-300mm, Canon 430EXII, Battery grip, 3 Canon batteries, usually 8 Eneloop Pro AA batteries, and 4 cheap brand just incase. Always keep a omnibounce pop on diffuser, Like $2 who can't beat that. Cleaning supplies, blower, hearing aid batteries. Yes. haha I wear a hearing aid, so sometimes I never know when the battery will drain. So, I've gotta worry about my hearing and batteries for the camera/flash. I once had someone ask if I needed AA's? I said no I gotta change my hearing aid battery out. We laughed. Tripod maybe half the time. and business cards!

Feedback

1. Explore and Research... The typical spots are always okay to explore-we all have them in every city skyline, but walk around. Look for other vantage points or even research and talk with other photographers for tips. Find a spot or few you like a know your course of action. 2. Don't try to copy someone else's work... You can take a photo of the same skyline with the same equipment and you're typically going to get something different. That's what makes your photos you. Be yourself. Don't worry about trying to be like someone else. You can use other photographer's work as inspirations-sure! Nothing wrong with that. I have had many inspirational photographers help inspire me to be more and try new things. However, the moment you decide to try and be like someone else, you're just another "camera out there on auto." Plus sometimes a photographer grabs images at the right moment at the right time which can't be repeated. So, be yourself. 3. Be prepared and plan ahead... Bring the equipment needed for your shot. Shutter release cable, tripod, flash etc. Plan ahead knowing where you're going or get lost... Either one. Getting lost sometimes ends you up with hidden gems from your original plan. Plan enough time for your shot(s). If it's 30sec exposure, 5min exposure, golden/blue hour etc. If you're walking plan for that time as well. Plus parking headaches. lol 4. Trial and Error... You may know everything about your camera front to back, yet sometimes trial and error is the only way you're going to capture the image you want SOC. Thus with editing. Trial and error. Sometimes your post-processing may look better in a daytime skyline shot versus a night time shot. Trial and error. Keep playing. 5. Shoot in RAW... Typical advice, but always shoot in full raw if you want to edit and manipulate the image to meet your needs. Plus you never know you might sell prints of your skyline shot! 6. Have fun... Okay I'm going to make 6 points. Explore your passion. Explore your city. Explore your feelings and have fun!

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michaelhostetler

michaelhostetler

RVA Skyline October 2015

Behind The Lens

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