mikefennell

Swiftcurrent Morning

Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier National Park, Montana
Read less

NIKON D800

settings

Aperture f/16 ISO 100 Shutter 1/8 Focal Length 200/10

upload_date

Mar, 2016

Views

374

Likes

+70

Awards

Spring Selection Award

Superb Composition

Peer Award

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

Genius

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 2

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 3

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken during my two week photography exploration around Glacier National Park in Montana last fall. This is a shot of Grinnel Point over Swiftcurrent Lake, on the east side of the National Park.

Time

This shot was taken at 7:52 AM on October 15th of last year. It was about an hour after sunrise.

Lighting

There were no clouds this morning, so all the surrounding peaks had been lit up well ever since the alpen glow, yet I wanted to capture the detail of the great Grinnel Point and the stones under the still water. So I waited until there was still soft lighting on the peaks, and the water was dark and still as glass, but just light enough to pick up all the details.

Equipment

Nikon D800, Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED, Manfrotto Tripod. This shot was taken at f/16 for 1/8 sec exposure at ISO 100.

Inspiration

This was one of those places I had seen so many other times, and saw so many cool images of it, that I just had to get there. Glacier National Park was so nice in October while there aren't too many tourists, my friend and I were the only ones on this lake for well over an hour after sunrise.

Editing

I did lot's of little adjustments in Adobe Lightroom. My main work consisted of toning down the highlights in the peaks to bring about clarity, yet not loose the warmth of the early light. I also did some minor play in Nik Color Efex Pro 4.

In my camera bag

My Nikon D800 has been my baby for the past 4 years and still going strong. I match that up with a few different options depending on what kind of excursion I'm going on. My Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED with Nano Coating is probably my favorite lens in my bag. I also usually bring along my Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 for night shots, and my other Nikkors; 50mm f/1.8D, AF-S 85mm f.1.8G, AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 ED.

Feedback

In mountain ranges like this, you never know what kind of sun transition you're gonna get so patience is your best friend. Read the situation of play around to make the most of it. This image didn't have any cool sunrise colors going for it, so I played with my composition and found the rocks to be an attractive foreground.

See more amazing photos, follow mikefennell

mikefennell

mikefennell

Swiftcurrent Morning

Glacier National Park, Montana

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow mikefennell

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.