derekbradley

AuSable Fairy Dream

It has been a long time since I've traveled home to where I grew up. It has been even longer since I've traveled there to take photos. I'm blown ...
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It has been a long time since I've traveled home to where I grew up. It has been even longer since I've traveled there to take photos. I'm blown away by the beauty in my hometown and taking in a little bit of it's nature this weekend, makes me crave to go back. Maybe one day...
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Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

settings

Aperture f/8 ISO 400 Shutter 1/25 Focal Length 28/1

location

Michigan, US

upload_date

Oct, 2020

Views

747

Likes

+35

Awards

Curator's Selection

Top Shot Award 22

Winter Award 2020

Peer Award

Absolute Masterpiece

Magnificent Capture

Superior Skill

Top Choice

Superb Composition

Emotions

Impressed

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Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo in Northern Michigan along the AuSable River in Roscommon, Michigan on a trail called the Mason Tract.

Time

I drove up to this location early in the am, and hiked along the river until I found the perfect light.

Lighting

This was natural light, but I walked along the Mason Tract and kept an eye on the light. I waited until I found the perfect rays and climbed through a swampy area down to the river.

Equipment

This was shot hand held on a Canon 5D Mark IV with a Canon EF 24-70 f2.8 IS II lens.

Inspiration

I hadn't been home to where I grew up in years. My buddy's wedding was cancelled, but I never cancelled my vacation day, so I decided I'd wake up early, drive up north, shoot some photos, and then go play golf at a top 100 club I used to work at. I really wanted to catch the mist coming off the river, as it was really cold this particular morning. I captured that shot, but as I was climbing out of the marsh, I decided to look back and saw this. I thought it was incredible and had to capture it. It's my favorite photo from the weekend.

Editing

I edited this shot in Lightroom. When I had everything how I wanted it, I removed a few sun glares in Photoshop, and messed with the color range a bit.

In my camera bag

I always have my camera and lens I took this shot with, but also carry a 70-200 f2.8, a tripod, and ND filters. My lenses all have polarizers on.

Feedback

Be patient. Walk around. Chase the light. Too many people find a great scene and wait for the conditions to be right. This isn't the shot I come to this location for, but it is my favorite. I kept moving and looking around. It's been years since I had been on this trail and had no clue what the light was going to be like, because I had never photographed it and never been on it for any other reason other than to bike or run. The best shots are often the ones you don't plan.

See more amazing photos, follow derekbradley

derekbradley

derekbradley

AuSable Fairy Dream

It has been a long time since I've traveled home to where I grew up. It has been even longer since I've traveled there to take photos. I'm blown ... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow derekbradley

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It has been a long time since I've traveled home to where I grew up. It has been even longer since I've traveled there to take photos. I'm blown ...
Read more

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