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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Yosemite National Park at Tenaya Lake. Located between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows just off of Tioga Pass hwy 120.Time
As sunset was approaching I was scouting for a shot here on Tenaya Lake. Then a fast moving storm in the distance moved in and within minutes it was a downpour with hail and lightning. I was able to get a few shots off before being chase out.Lighting
With shooting landscapes lighting is always one of the most important part of the picture. Im sure you have always heard of the golden hour or magic hour which mean the time of day with the sun lower on the horizon casting a softer light. This time is the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset. This specific shot was taken about 30 mins before sunset where the sun was dropping down on the horizon line only lighting the hills and clouds in the distance.Equipment
Shot with a Canon 5D Mark III with a 24-105 L series f/4 lens, carbon fiber induro tripod with a BHD3 ballhead.Inspiration
What inspired me out this shot was the reflection on the lake with the storm approaching in the background. The main plan I was hoping to get a shot of the clouds turning colors from the sunset with the reflection on the lake but the storm itself was just to fast moving and after this shot I ended up at Olmsted Point with a spectacular sunset off in the distance.Editing
Usually all landscape shots needs to be post processed in one way or another. When shooting in a RAW format your capturing the most information you can out of the image but the image is usually flat with color and detail. In lightroom I converted this image to black and white, brought down the highlights, increased the shadows, adjusted the white and black sliders a little, added detail and sharpening to give it that punch of what it looked like while being there.In my camera bag
My normal carry around bag I have my Canon 5D MarkIII, 24-105 L series f/4 lens, also a 70-200 L series 2.8/f lens, lee ND filters, wireless DLC Intervalometer, carbon fiber induro tripod with a induro ballhead, canon backpack and a HOYA circular polarizerFeedback
With landscape photography timing is everything! I have been to this location several times in the past at sunset but with no clouds, the location is beautiful and can always capture a amazing shot but timing is key. This specific trip I planned it during a storm, earlier in the day I was in the valley itself but the weather was horrible with non-stop rain, so I decided to venture up to the Tuolumne Meadows area to see if conditions where any better. Luckily for me it was clear heading up the grade to the upper part of Yosemite. I could of stuck it out in the valley and hoped for a clearing in the storm but figured I would take a chance and explore other location. I guess my advice would be not to get discourage on the conditions. Find other options to make the most out of any photoshoot. Either it be finding a new location, waiting out the storm and shooting a different subject. Either way opportunities will arise if you keep yourself open to the surrounds and what is presented to you. Have fun with it!