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Oct, 2014Views
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Legendary Award
People's Choice in So you think you can Shoot? (open theme) Photo Challenge
Winner in The Best Our Nation Has To Offer Photo Challenge
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Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
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Magnificent Capture
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nandicmb
September 17, 2015
So very phototuresque-like a page in a calender! Congratulations on your People's Choice category win in So you think you can Shoot? Photo Challenge!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
Took this photo while on vacation in Banff Alberta Canada at a park called Cascade Ponds.Time
We stopped here later in the day with a few hours of daylight left.Lighting
Although it wasn't a sunrise or sunset I liked the light and how it was lighting up the face of the mountain in the distance which caught my eye.Equipment
I used a Nikon D200 with a Tokina 12-24mm wide angle lens with a circular polarizer. I had it mounted on a Manfroto tripod and set it to bracket three exposures, +2,0,-2. Shot at f/22 12mm ISO 100. I used my self timer to help avoid camera shake.Inspiration
What originally caught my eye was the reflections in the calm water of the pond and then the nice light on the mountain in the distance. I took several photos in different areas but I liked the white flowers in the foreground here. Including those flowers gives the photo depth. I also really liked the leading lines in the photo with the tree line matching the clouds leading you right back to that beautiful sun kissed mountain.Editing
I really believe post processing is vital to the image making process. I have spent countless hours learning Photoshop and some third party software to help me get the look I love. Don't get me wrong, I do strive to get it right in camera. In this particular photo I tomemapped the three exposures in Photomatix Pro. My goal with HDR is to have a realistic looking photo so I hope I achieved that here. I further processed it in Photoshop CS6 for color and sharpening using my favorite method the High Pass Filter.In my camera bag
At the time of this photo I was using a Nikon D200 body. I had my Toknia 12-24mm wide angle lens on it which is my go to landscape lens. I also carry a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 which I also love. I also have circular polarizer filters for both and if not using those I have UV filters to protect the glass. I carry an extra battery and memory cards and some cleaning clothes but not much else. Not in my bag but I carry a Manfroto tripod with a Manfroto pistol grip ball head.Feedback
I would say look for foreground interest when taking a landscape photo. Including something in the foreground adds a lot of depth and interest to the photo. Don't be afraid to get low as well so that foreground really shows up. Look at your composition carefully and make sure it's level and nothing distracting is poking in from the edges. Don't place the horizon right in the center of the photo either. If the sky is really interesting place the horizon lower in the photo and if it's a drab sky place the horizon higher. Using a circular polarizer will really cut glare on the water surface and it also really enhances the blue skies. When I bracket exposures I like to shoot three with -2, 0, +2 compensations.
