cramerimaging
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Eddieuuu071
November 09, 2019
Thank you for submitting you wonderful photo to my Best Nature Photo challenge! Best of luck!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this shot on the way back down from Inspiration Point at Bryce Canyon National Park. There was someone sitting on the extended root to the left. Thankfully, that individual was willing to move so I could get this shot.Time
This photo, and the others I got that day, were the first in a while where I had specifically gotten up before 5AM and driven out to the park. I was eager to capture the rising sun coming over the rim of the canyon on the solstice. This photo was shot on June 21, 2018.Lighting
This photo uses 100% natural light from the sun. I deliberately chose the day of the year when the sun is at its northern most point in the sky so that I could get the sun as close to the main amphitheater as possible.Equipment
I shot this photo hand-holding a Nikon D7200 using a Nikkor 18-55mm lens. That is all the equipment I used for this photo.Inspiration
I wanted to take a photo of the rising solstice sun over the main Bryce Canyon amphitheater. I chose my location of Inspiration Point well for the setting. Once I had my main photo of the day, I started hiking back down to the car when I spotted this split truck tree. It was interesting even though it was obviously dead. I dithered a bit about asking the individual sitting on the root bundled in a blanket to move but ultimately decided it was worth trying. Thankfully, that person obliged. I had recently learned about creating sunbursts or sun stars in landscape photography and decided that this shot might be a good one to try that technique out on. I lined the sun up between the two trunks and dialed my aperture down to f/22 and got to work. The results were this stunning shot.Editing
This photo did undergo some post-processing. It was mostly color correction and a little bit of spot removal. I brightened the overall scene and opened up the shadows while taking down the highlights. I enhanced the blue of the sky and the golden yellow of the sun. Overall, there wasn't much required for processing up this photo.In my camera bag
I carry a Nikon D7200 rather permanently attached to a Custom Brackets Digital Pro-E flash bracket. I love the ease which this high end flash bracket allows me to switch from landscape to portrait mode on a tripod and back again. It makes life in the field so much easier for me. My go-to lenses are the Nikkor 18-55mm kit lens and a Tamron 70-300mm telephoto lens with 1:2 macro capabilities. These have served me faithfully for several years in photography. I also pack a Nikkor 50mm prime for those times when I need f/1.8 and a Nikon 60mm prime macro lens for when I want to go full blown macro on a photo. I also carry a Nikon Speedlight SB-700 for those times when natural light just isn't enough. My Hoodman hood-loupe, highly recommended by Scott Kelby, also goes with me. With it, I can see what my camera screen is showing me even in exceedingly bright light which would otherwise prevent me viewing my newly taken photos. My sling bag does get heavy with all this gear, but I know that I'm prepared for all kinds of photo opportunities.Feedback
Always keep learning new techniques. You will never truly master EVERYTHING which you can do in your chosen photography genre let alone with a camera period. Make opportunities to try out those new techniques in the field. Some will take practice. Some, like this technique, will be as easy as dialing in the correct camera settings and finding the right place to stand. Also, be willing to try out the last-minute inspirations you have. Don't get locked into getting ONLY the shot you planned for and that's it. Sometimes, you might walk away with the best shot of the day thanks to those last-minute ideas. I have more than once. This photo is one such example.