hazelmansell-greenwood
FollowDreaming of poppies
Dreaming of poppies
Read less
Read less
Views
601
Likes
Awards
Featured
Staff Favorite
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Exceptional Contrast
All Star
Superior Skill
Top Ranks
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
Tamerton Foliot, Near Plymouth, DevonTime
Almost sunset on June 16th 2013 so would of been about 9 pm possible a little afterLighting
Remember when shooting into the sun the less glass on the front of your lens the better that's why I prefer to use a gradual filter in post processing that way you have more chance of not getting lens flare which drives me crazy, I know some people favour it but I don't. it can look good in certain shots. I also try to expose for the sky and then if need be you can either use post processing to lift the shadows a bit but to get a star burst you need to be on at least 18 f. and that mens unless your on a tripod you will need a high ISO so unless your camera can handle it use a tripod , this was hand heldEquipment
Nikon D3X lens Nikon 28 - 70 mm on 28 mm f.22 so I could get the starburst with the sunInspiration
Well what can I can how could you not be inspired by a field full of poppies , I spend every day in this field for 14 days because I had to be there to get as many opportunities as I could as as it's only 5 mins away from my house I would of been crazy not too. I had been hunting for poppy field for years and when I was on the farm my friends have and he mentioned it , I thought it was a wind up , he said no go see it's nearly ready , it was a dream come true for me.Editing
I don't have much in the way of filters just a polariser and a 10 stopper so I didn't use any thing on this shot but in Photoshop CS 6 in raw I used the gradual filter tool to bring the sky down a bit as it was a bit too bright but that's allIn my camera bag
I now have a Nikon D4s and I use a Nikon 28 - 70 D G Lens 2.8 f. it's quite an old lens but it's 9 bladed which always delivers mega star bursts which is what I love to have in the right light . And I use a Nikon 70 - 200 VR2 2.8 f. which is also an incredible lensFeedback
If your going to try to capture a shot like this try to focus mid point or even further away because when you look at this shot your eyes are not going to the foreground they will go mid to horizon at the sun or tree as there your points of interest , it may be annoying not to have the very front poppies in focus but I don't think that matters, try to find a spot where you can capture something like the tree because with out that tree it would not of been such a good composition , don't go too low because you will end up with a red line of poppies the higher the better , I often take a step ladder with me , if you can that's the best way but if your camera is not able to shoot on a hight ISO don't try getting your tripod up top , he he I have seen it done but not advisable, and just enjoy it , I have this on my wall at home and it brings back so many lovely memories of that day . one more thing, don't be tempted to over saturate your shot, you want a natural feel to it.