steverandall

Aliens

night image taken during mist with sulphur light back light

night image taken during mist with sulphur light back light
Read less

Nov, 2014

Views

196

Likes

+18

Awards

Great Shot

Absolute Masterpiece

Superb Composition

Top Choice

Outstanding Creativity

All Star

Peer Award

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Behind The Lens

Location

My home backs on to a reserve which has a sulphur coloured lamp to light the reserve at night time. Being so close to home it normally flies under my radar for photographic opportunities. Therefore on this particular night, I was watching television when my wife insisted, no demanded I have a look at this. A heavy mist had rolled in and produced some spectacular possibilities.

Time

It was taken at night at about 10 pm, a heavy mist and sulphur coloured light had set a fantastic mood.

Lighting

The sulphur coloured light and mist combination produced the most extraordinary light. It was moody, spooky and produced wonderful light rays from a single source behind the tree and bushes.

Equipment

Nikon D600 Nikkor 24-85mm 48mm, Tripod no flash 20 second exposure.

Inspiration

My inspiration for the shot was the xfiles show. There were show scenes where a space craft had landed in the middle of a forest and the camera work produced used backlighting to such good effect. Similarly, the backlit scene using the sulphur coloured light with a mist produced a fantastic tree silhouette and the light rays coming from behind the tree were like a spacecraft had just landed all lights ablaze.

Editing

Very little processing. This image is as as it was in the camera with a little tweak of vibrance.

In my camera bag

i normally travel light ie two lenses and my D800. My Tamron 24 -70 is my go to lens for the majority of my work. if i am landscaping I will also take my Nikkor 18-35mm however if I am birding or doing action photography I will take my f2.8 Nikkor 70-200 or 300mm. For macro work I will take my Nikkor 105mm Vr Macro. If I am travelling away for extended time I will take my whole kit and set up for each day. I basically setup for the type of work I am doing on a particular day. The tripod is always in the car.

Feedback

Given there is such a contrast between the shadows and the light source it is important to hide the light source as much as possible. I didn't want a large blown out area in the frame so I moved around ensuring the light was being hidden by the branches and leaves in the tree. Try different angles and POV to achieve this. This was an opportunistic shot. Always be ready for the right combination of conditions to produce this opportunity and have patience to get it right in the camera. Be observant and try to find sulphur coloured lights and be ready when the weather conditions are right.

See more amazing photos, follow steverandall

steverandall

steverandall

Aliens

night image taken during mist with sulphur light back light

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow steverandall

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.