Here is something we can learn from Abeblair about the techniques and story behind this awarded photo.
Abeblair is a professional commercial/action sports photographer. When he is not hanging out of helicopters or deep in the backcountry he can be found shooting landscape images: "I shoot medium format film whenever possible,often working on low light/long exposure images. The photographs on my page are usually the digital "test shot". All photos are processed in Lightroom, with no photoshop, layer masking or HDR..."
1. Abeblair, where did you take this photo?
This was shoot near Tahoe City,CA on the north shores of Lake Tahoe,CA.
2. What time of day?
I arrived well before sunrise to a mostly cloud filled sky. This image is a 9 minute exposure that ended about 30 mins before sunrise proper.
3. Anything worth sharing about lighting?
The create the cloud effect I used a 10 stop ND filter and a few grad ND's to keep the sky exposure balanced. Then using a high powered flash light I light painted the lupine flowers in the foreground.
4. What equipment did you use?
Nikon D800,Nikon 17-35mm,Gitzo Traveler tripod,Lee filters, Petzel headlamp.
5. What inspired you to take this photo?
I had been shooting at this location for a few morning in a row. Each morning providing different light depending on the clouds. This morning was by far the cloudiest that I had seen, so I choose to use the 10 stop ND filter an show the fast cloud movement while the flowers were didn't move. I wanted to really create something new and different for a sunrise and flower image.
6. Did you do any post-processing? If yes, tell us about it!
Not much post-processing. I used just Lightroom 4 and made a few adjustments to the shadow and highlights along with a bump in color.
7. What equipment do you normally have in your bag?
I always have my Nikon D810 and three lenses for it the 17-35,28-70,70-200. Also I usually have my Fuji GX617 panoramic film camera with a 105 and 180 lens. If the hike isn't to far I might also throw my Hasselblad 503CW in the bag also.
8. Any advice for others trying to capture something similar?
Spring in Lake Tahoe is an amazing time. Lots of sunshine and there can often still be snow on the mountain tops. These lupine bloom during low water years right on the edge of the lake. Often difficult to see or find from the road due to private property it is often easiest to scout from a boat while cruising the lake.
Discover Abeblair's photographic style and techniques.
Purple_Haze by Abeblair
Rainbow_Tree
Geyser_Night
