Sunrise over Yellowstone Geyser Basin
Sunrise over Yellowstone Geyser Basin
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Action Award
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Ice In Black And White Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Unique Locations Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Black And White Compositions Photo Contest vol2
Contest Finalist in Winter In Black And White Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 44
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Behind The Lens
Location
Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming USA) in the lower Geyser Basin area heading to Old Faithful.Time
This was one of my favorite landscape photos on our Yellowstone winter trip this past January 2018. It was a cold crisp morning at around 9:30am. We were headed out in a snow coach to see Old Faithful. Due to the government shutdown the roads had not been cleared but the park remained open. It took us much longer to drive then anticipated so we all jumped out to stretch our legs and grab a few photos of all of the ice and snow remaining on the surunding trees from the prior day's snow storm. Key to this photo was the cold crisp tempurature (-10 degrees Fahrenheit) which helped to create the heavy steam, which would immediately freeze along the banks of the stream.Lighting
The air was cold, crisp and clear about -10 degrees Fahrenheit just after a large snow storm had pushed through the prior day. The sun was still at a low angle allowing for long shadows from the two pine trees, and sun star as seen with the two trees just in front of the sun.Equipment
Utilized a Nikon D5 with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, handheld. Settings where f/16.0, 1/200, ISO 100, Auto WB at 24mm.Inspiration
I have primarily been a wildlife photographer and have lately enjoyed expanding my skills into astrophotography, long exposure, and landscape photography. A trip to Yellowstone gave me the opportunity to challenge my skills and try new things such as sunstars, black and white photography, and long shadows within my composition. When our group jumped out of our snow coach this cold morning, I wanted to leverage the low angle of the sun, to help create some long shadows, thus I utilized the two pine tees within my frame offset by the steam raising up from the thermal. I felt that this showed the emotion of the morning.Editing
I typically only do small color / contrast / sharpening within Lightroom adjustments. I did remove a few small artifacts and flare around the sun star. I did not crop the photo. This was one single exposure.In my camera bag
I typically carry two camera bodies. A Nikon D5 and D500. As I do a lot of Nature Photography I carry a Nikon 500mm f/4, Nikon 80-400, Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 and a 24mm f/2.8. I use a Gitzo GT3541L Tripod, Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal Tripod Head II with Quick Release Base, Wimberley SK-100 Sidekick for my heavy lens. remote wireless shutter, and multiple ND filters.Feedback
As with most photography advice, get out in the field and try new things. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions of other photographers. I like to get on line, watch UTube videos of new approaches and then take these new skills to the field and try them out. Use a low aperture between f/16 and f/22, best with low angle of sun with clear sky. Be careful looking directly into the sun as you can hurt your eyes and lens.