Jae_atWitsEnd

Umbrella at Watershed

Rainy day at the watershed.

Rainy day at the watershed.
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SONY DSC-HX90V

settings

Aperture f/7.1 ISO 100 Shutter 1/25 Focal Length 410/100

upload_date

Nov, 2015

Views

878

Likes

+205

Awards

Featured

Contest Finalist in From Afar: People Photo Contest

Peer Award

+65

Superb Composition

+22

Top Choice

Love it

Outstanding Creativity

Absolute Masterpiece

All Star

Magnificent Capture

Superior Skill

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Behind The Lens

Location

Umbrella at the Watershed was taken at a small, local nature preserve in central Illinois - about a mile from my home.

Time

It was late morning and I was simply tired of watching the rain from inside my house (the second or third straight day of rain). I grabbed the most colorful umbrella I could find and set off for the closest natural area.

Lighting

There was no light worth anything on this day, but the mist was atmospheric. I used the umbrella to add color to the otherwise grey scene.

Equipment

For this photo, I was still using my little Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V. This was my first fully automatic camera (!) and I was experimenting with what it (and I) could do. I'd only been pursuing photography as a hobby for a few months at the time this photo was taken. For this photo, I used a tripod and the timer function.

Inspiration

Viewbug! I'd just joined Viewbug and saw this competition. At about the same time, I watched the amazing video with Robin Griggs Wood on how to create composite images http://www.viewbug.com/blog/create-amazing-composites-robin-griggs-wood I didn't even know about composite images! I knew Viewbug was the place for me to grow and learn in a friendly environment. Robin used herself as a model in some of her photos, so I thought - why not!

Editing

I did some basic post-processing with an old version of Photoshop. As I learn my camera, I am also learning post-processing - they really go hand-in-hand. In this photo, I included layers to add depth to the fog and cleaned up the walkway quite a bit.

In my camera bag

Remember, that I'm very much a novice photographer! Now, I carry a Sony A7II, but I also pack my little Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V - It's the camera that I first learned on and it's like a security blanket. I have a tripod and a couple of filters. I've not yet outgrown the kit lens that came with my camera, but that's probably going to change soon. I have extra batteries and a shoulder harness. I bring some plastic bags, rubber bands, and cloth - to keep the camera dry.

Feedback

Don't be afraid of grey days. Sometimes creativity comes out of the limitations that come with the weather or location. This place isn't anywhere special, just a local nature area with a small pond - in the winter - on a grey day - can't get any more limited than that! I was very happy with how the umbrella brought just that bit of color to the scene. I would have loved a more colorful umbrella, but I didn't own one - so I used what I had. Also, don't be shy about putting yourself in the shot - sometimes there's no one else available!

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Jae_atWitsEnd

Jae_atWitsEnd

Umbrella at Watershed

Rainy day at the watershed.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Jae_atWitsEnd

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