kathysuttles
FollowNature takes her course in the twists and turns of this twisted Oak on top of Mt Scott, on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge....
Read more
Nature takes her course in the twists and turns of this twisted Oak on top of Mt Scott, on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
Read less
Read less
Views
2402
Likes
Awards
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 22
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Legendary Award
Member Selection Award
Featured
Contest Finalist in Art in Nature Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
Genius
Top Ranks
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo looking West thru this twisted oak on top of Mt Scott. I've been coming to photograph sunsets from Mt Scott, in Oklahoma for the last 20 yrs, but had never noticed this amazing twisted tree. This time it seemed to jump out at me and I couldn't tear myself away from it.Time
As you can tell from the photo, it was sunset. Sunset in spring out on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma.Lighting
The lighting was all natural, as the sun was setting, just dipping below the horizon, casting the last rays of day.Equipment
Canon 70D, Canon 18-135mm lense, with on camera flash and hand held.Inspiration
I wanted to capture one of our amazing orange Oklahoma sunsets, from on top of Mt Scott, where you can see the whole show. I've been taking friends and family to this spot for the past 20 yrs to watch the sunset, but I've never noticed this twisted tree. The tree and the rock caught my eye, and all of a sudden they took center stage, ahead of the sunset. So when it all came together, with the sunset, shining thru the twisted branches, I knew I had something special.Editing
Yes, I did my normal processing with Lightroom to boost the colors & clarity and then pulled into Macphun Creative Kit to add the HDR effects.In my camera bag
I'm a very simple photographer. I carry my Canon 70D, w/Canon 18-135 lense, which I use almost exclusively!! I have an 85mm prime, but find it very limiting, so I only pull it out for portraits. I carry tripods in the car, but hardly ever use them. I like to shoot and move, so I almost always capture my shots hand held, with on camera flash.Feedback
Practice! Practice! Practice! Find what you love to capture and get good at it. I simply have to have sun rays,sun flares or star bursts in my work!! And to get the ray effects, you have to be at f22, and move the camera around until you get maximum sun flare in view finder. And the flare looks best when its poking from behind a branch, clouds, building...etc.