Sunset Glow
Oct, 2014Views
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Winner in The Warm Color Wheel Photo Challenge
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
![A duckling in Chrischurch's Botanical Gardens [NZ] running through the grass.](https://cdnpt01.viewbug.com/media/mediafiles/2014/09/30/33934601_widepreview400.webp)
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo at a bach near Monganui, in Northland, New Zealand. I was travelling with some friends and stayed here for a week or so in the middle of winter.Time
This would have been taken around 5pm - it was an incredible sight, seeing the sunset unfold over time, and I remember racing out with my tripod and frantically setting up as the sun was speeding towards the horizon by the time I saw it here.Lighting
The warmth of the winter sun was absolutely stunning over the landscape, and that's what I really wanted to get more than anything else. I love using the natural light and its feel in my shots, so this was perfect lighting here, creating a very warm glow emanating from the sun across all its rays touched.Equipment
I took this photo with a Canon 7d (mark I) and a Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens, mounted on an Induro tripod with a Vanguard ball head.Inspiration
I was just travelling with some friends, staying at this bach off the beaten track in New Zealand, and after a very relaxed day, the sky just lit up beautifully as the sun neared the horizon. With it being the middle of winter, the warm glow was incredible, and its effect across the entire landscape was stunning. It was quite magical, the way in the middle of days of rain and cold this appeared.Editing
Back when I took this photo, I'd only just started playing around with post-processing at all, really, and this was one of my first attempts at HDR photography specifically. I used a trial version of an HDR engine, and really just played around with the settings, not really knowing what did what (I didn't have an internet connection at the time to look for tutorials, either). So the result was incredibly pleasing for what little I knew at the time!In my camera bag
Because I regularly shoot a very wide range of photos, from wide landscapes to long-range wildlife, close-up macro and low-light events, I will normally carry a range of equipment to adapt to the situations throughout the day. So first of all, I have my Canon 7d mark II body, along with 5 lenses: a Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5, a Canon 24-105mm f/4 L, a Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L, a Canon 50mm f/1.4, and a Canon 100mm macro f/2.8 L. Outside of this, I'll carry spare memory cards (both CF and SD), cleaning gear, and a remote shutter release.Feedback
Using a tripod is incredibly helpful when wanting to process into an HDR image later. But if you don't have a tripod on you, there are some ways to keep the camera more steady while shooting - one is to shoot in 2-second self-timer mode and bracket your shot with an appropriate range either side of the middle exposure. This method results in the camera automatically firing all 3 shots in succession after the 2-second delay, allowing you to keep the camera more still and avoid having to press the shutter for each shot yourself. Also make sure you shoot in RAW, as this always gives more post-processing ability later on, whether for multiple images in HDR or from a single image. If it's your first time processing into HDR, don't rush it. Take your time, see what the different settings change, and review your first attempt closely for things to change. This took a second go through the settings to iron out some troubles I missed the first time. So don't be afraid to try different things, be patient, and be attentive to details throughout the frame, not just at the subject alone.
