CatherineCasey

Tree in Winter

So Stark, So Beautiful

So Stark, So Beautiful
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Jun, 2016

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

Taken in Southend-on-Sea a few years back, if you look real close you can see me in his eyes.

Honest this is a bog in the woods but it still looks beautiful

Someone else gave this lovely name to these lovely Seagulls, so I'm nicking it.

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo on my very first trip to Scotland, I remember this clearly because when the mist lifted a few minutes later I saw the most spectacular sight I had ever seen in my life, and I have been all around the world searching for this sight and feeling, and here it is not 12 hours drive away from me in Essex.

Time

This was taken quite early in the morning, I am an early riser so it could have been between 5am and 8am, this mist was over the fields but the starkness of this tree with all of the 'bother' underneath it just appealed, it turned out to be one of the hottest days in Scotland that I can remember for that time of year. I have been to Scotland many times since this time but never had the pleasure I experienced that day again. I may go back to that same spot one day but I know it wouldn't feel the same.

Lighting

It was a cool day in January, with the snow lightly on the ground, it wasn't even cold, and the snow lasted about a day and a half, so I felt very privileged that I was there at the right time, obviously the right place as well. I had the camera on auto, as is normal for me unless I'm actually doing a photo shoot. I couldn't really control the lighting and it came out as is without any major adjustments in Photoshop.

Equipment

I'm sure this was taken with my Nikon D400 (I now have the D600) which is one of the easiest cameras I have ever used, well it was until I looked at the manual and realised all the things I could have done with it. I didn't use a Tripod mainly because I find them to heavy when I'm just going for a walk with the camera.

Inspiration

The inspiration is always right in front of my eyes, I see a picture I take it. I tend not to look at anything without looking through a Lens in my minds eye. I will always stop and turn around as well, it's amazing what you can see if you're not expecting it. I fell in Love with Scotland that day and that love will always be there, I just regret the times I wouldn't go to Scotland because it was 'too cold' - which I have since found out to be rubbish, it's beautiful and mainly sunny when I visit.

Editing

I end not to do a lot of post-processing on my Scotland photos because the natural beauty is there, I might desaturate and sharpen or re-colour if I think it needs it. I can sometimes copy the original, do a sketch outline and then overlay from the copied layer onto the the bottom layer.

In my camera bag

I'm rather frugal with my equipment, I use pockets instead of handbags or camera bags so everything gets stuffed in, I also generally forget to take more than one lens but after this one experience in Scotland I must admit to always taking two lenses, the camera is around my neck the whole time, and I can never find my money if I need it, but then I am 65 years old and love walking.

Feedback

Look, always look, at the prospect of taking a photo that you like, if you like it then someone else will like it too. Also don't hesitate, don't try to get the angle right or the lighting or waiting for something or someone to get out of the way. If you see a shot take it, anticipate the next shot as well. I see so many people with their camera at their waist, watching to see if they can take a photo - the camera should be up at the eye at all times - it's the law......

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CatherineCasey

CatherineCasey

Tree in Winter

So Stark, So Beautiful

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow CatherineCasey

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