arches sunset
Aug, 2013Views
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Awards
Fall Award 2020
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Peer Award
All Star
Exceptional Contrast
Jaw Dropping
Magnificent Capture
Emotions
Happy
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
Taken at Windows in Arches National Park outside Moab, UT. While most people were focusing on the window arches, all I could see was the wonderful light in the distance and away from the arches. Photography has been my passion since I first picked up my Kodak Brownie camera using 126 film many years ago.Time
It was just before sunset and a very stormy afternoon. I wasn't sure I would get anything before either the lightning or rain would move in. While others were moving back to the parking area, I just had a feel that I would have a moment for either a great image or peaceful contemplation as the clouds and colors were ever changing.Lighting
The lighting was completely natural. Since the sun was setting, you can see a ray of light coming up from the right corner and the time of day plus the storm just gave spectacular color to the clouds.Equipment
I took this image with a Nikon D2Xs using a Nikon 18-200mm zoom 3.5 lens, f/22 at 26mm and ISO 100 as well as a tripod. Using f/22 gave great depth of field to both the foreground and clouds.Inspiration
I was inspired by the wonderful dramatic clouds and late afternoon light. This area of the southwest has some of the clearest air I've ever encountered.Editing
I always shoot raw which allows me to enhance the aspects I choose to. In this case, I wanted the foreground with its' fabulous color and texture to not be too overwhelmed by the greater light in the sky and did some brightening and contrast adjustments.In my camera bag
Since taking this image, I have moved to a Nikon D810 and most frequently, I have my 24-70mm f/2.8 and my 16-35mm f/3.5. Depending on what I think I might shoot, I sometimes take my 70-200mm f/2.8 but the weight usually finds it left behind. I have many other lenses but these days, a little less weight in my bag is a plus and also, it makes me take more time to put my self in the right location for the lenses I'm using rather than the lazy approach of a quick lens change.Feedback
Although I would never suggest someone expose themselves to the dangers of lightning (and, it was quite a distance from me in this situation), late afternoon and dark broken clouds with occasional rain can produce some wonderful opportunities....be patient.
