Stargate
Sunrise at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, UT - www.facebook.com-craigbillphotography - CraigBill.com - Video: http:--youtu.be-_3f6g_P-bUY...
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Sunrise at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, UT - www.facebook.com-craigbillphotography - CraigBill.com - Video: http:--youtu.be-_3f6g_P-bUY
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Aug, 2013Views
1718
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in Natural Arches Photo Challenge
Winner in Famous site panoramas Photo Challenge
People's Choice in The Great Outdoors Photo Challenge
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Jaw Dropping
Peer Award
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Superior Skill
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Top 30 rankTop 30 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Categories
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Behind The Lens
Location
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA Video: http://craigbill.com/photo14681221.htmlTime
SunriseLighting
I had a good idea about where the sun was going to break the horizon by listening to other people that had seen it the morning before. And that is how I guessed on my “shot spot” to get the sun as close to the center of the arch as possible. Then finally the sun pierced the horizon and I had only a few minutes at best to capture as many exposures as possible before the sun became to bright and glary. The main event of sunrise Mesa Arch is how the radiating sunlight crashes into the cliff below and uniquely illuminates the underside of this arch with a fiery orange and red color. The Sun rising near the center of Mesa Arch during this time of year gave me the opportunity to successfully photograph “Stargate” - a dramatic image that neatly frames one of the best views of the American Southwest.Equipment
Sony A850, Sony 24-105mm, Benro Tripod, EZ Leveler, Remote Shutter ReleaseInspiration
I wanted to experience the sensational sunrise event that takes place every mostly clear sky morning. Arriving at the arch the night before, I began photographing and surveying the surrounding area including the arch from different angles and elevations. By nightfall, I had chosen a couple spots that I wanted to image the sunrise from. I stayed up most of the night to get shots of this amazing arch at every time of the day... but I knew that I had to be right on time and game to get the sunrise images that I wanted. Timing was critical because each morning at Mesa Arch, a large crowd gathers to see the surreal under-arch glow. In fact, entire buses of people are sometimes unloaded - and they are not photographers. This means people are everywhere! Under the arch, on top of the arch, and in front of your camera! But the biggest obstacle - other photographers that squeeze in a push your camera tripod to the side. It’s fierce! Even though I stayed up until 3:30am photographing accompanied by a tiny amount of sleep, another photographer still beat me back to the arch and staked out his space at 4:00am!Editing
I used levels, curves adjustments, and a bit of sharpening on this multi image panorama stitch project. Some dodge and burn local adjustments to too dark or too light areas was used as well.In my camera bag
Sony A850, Sony A77, Sony A7R, Sony Lenses, Cine Backpack, Cokin Filters (ND & Grads), Remote Shutter Release, Care & Clean Supplies, Lightning Trigger, Benro Tripod, Mini Tripod, CP Polarizers, Big Stopper, Extra Batteries & Cards, Cell Phone, Beanie Hat & Hand warmers, treats!Feedback
Plan out your time to capture natural events or you might just be a little too late :)
