Windmill on the horizon
Silhouette of a windmill with the sun rising on the horizon
Silhouette of a windmill with the sun rising on the horizon
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Dec, 2014Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken off the road between Nieuwoudtville and the Van Rhyns pass, in the Western Cape.Time
This was taken at my favorite time of day sunrise, when the air is crisp and clean and the sky gets illuminated in the most wonderful shades of reds and oranges. We had left my Grandparent place early morning for the 1306km haul back home; when we reached the top of the Van Rhyns pass the first signs of daybreak was there, the sky was almost a light royal blue which I knew could only mean a colourful sunrise. I had not yet taken my perfect Windmill shot as I had promised myself I would. Driving for a bit as if someone had read my saddened thoughts there it was: The Guardian of the Karoo the Windmill as we approached it my once excitement dissipated, I was saddened as the sky behind it was just not right. Just as we passed I looked into the rear mirror and there it was my perfect shot, I was just looking at the wrong angle. I shouted stop and jumped out barefoot with my camera running back towards the windmill as I knew I needed to get into position as the sun is not one to wait for others, and I may miss my shot. I walked up and down to get my perfect angle, the first shot was a big blur as I stepped forward to get the correct positioning; pain!!! I had stepped on a devil thorn, after a quick tantrum, I adjusted myself from the trauma and waited it took about 5 min for the sky to gain that perfect balance of blue and oranges just before my windmill silhouette would no longer be black and I took my shot. This shot was taken on 24 December 2014, at 05:10 AMLighting
The Windmill was my main focal point for this shot, I wanted to ensure that the Silhouette of the Windmill would not be over powered by the sunrise but still be able to capture the colour spectrum of a morning sunrise. With this sunrise it was critical to be in the correct position and to be patient to wait for those perfectly balanced lighting as natural light can change quickly.Equipment
This was shot with a Fujifilm Fine Pix SL1000. No other equipment was used.Inspiration
My inspiration for this photo was my desire to capture the beauty of what I call The Guardians of the Karoo, I have a great love for Windmills as they remind me of a sense of stability, beauty and hope. I get lost in the movement of their blades, the sound of the turning blades like whispering conversations with the wind, the only sound stretching over the fast lands, offering the hope of water and a sense of peace that they are always watching guarding. It was also the first time I had gone to the Cape after purchasing my first camera, and I had promised myself that I will not leave without a shot of a Windmill.Editing
The only processing that was required was cropping. I had used a pre-setting function on my camera that made the shot perfect for the set conditions, like I always say if it ain’t broken don’t fix it.In my camera bag
I always have my Fujifilm Fine Pix SL1000 with me; I am a self-taught photographer and only recently being in a financial position to afford a better camera than my phone to try and pursue my passion for photography this is the only equipment I have. I am surely not complaining, I am very happy as I think that I had chosen the right one for me for now, I love the diverse settings and filters that are incorporated into the camera, which takes away the need for a lot of equipment to be carried but still allowing me to take shot in a fast different settings.Feedback
I am surely no expert photographer but what I have learned is with natural lighting and landscape captures like mine patience is the key. Getting up early for that perfect morning shot and wearing shoes preferable. Waiting another 10 sec for the light to change to that just perfect shade or to wait for a cloud to move to just where you see a better point of view for your shot. Take multiple shots at different angles of all the shots you might just find the perfect one. And never let the lack of funds or experience prevent you from trying.
