New Zealand - Golden Sunrise at Lake Matheson
There is a 50% sale on my book "10 Essential Tips for Fine Art Photographers" at http:--essentialguidestophotography.com- Use the coupon code Welcome5...
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There is a 50% sale on my book "10 Essential Tips for Fine Art Photographers" at http:--essentialguidestophotography.com- Use the coupon code Welcome50. This photo is from Lake Matheson on the South Island of New Zealand offers an exceptional view of Mount Cook reflecting in the water. And if you get up early, the water is completely still. If you ever go to Fox Glacier and stay for the night, do yourself the favor and get up early to see this. Photo by: Jacob Surland, www.caughtinpixels.com
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Jan, 2015Views
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Contest Finalist in Lakes Photo Contest
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countryside
January 17, 2016
A wonder photo such beautiful colour's :-)
Thank you for your entry Jacob :-)
Thank you for your entry Jacob :-)
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This shot I shot at Lake Matheson in New Zealand.Time
I got up before sunrise and drove to the parking lot, close to Lake Matheson. I arrived just as the sun was supposed to rise. It did get brighter, but nothing happened. I shot many shots, but nothing happened. It dawned on me, that the sun would have to rise above the mountains before anything would happen. I live in Denmark, which is flat as a pancake, and the sun rises at sunrise, not when it comes clear of the mountains. An hour passed, and I thought that the moment has passed and the golden hour was gone, without any great light. I gave up and left the spot. And only minutes after I left something happened. I got to this hole in the trees, and the lake was covered in the most gorgeous light and I got my shot.Lighting
This is probably the most beautiful light I have seen. It was like something out of this world, and I almost missed it, because I grew impatient. Sometimes the golden hour can be stretched a little bit I learned.Equipment
I shot this using my Nikon D800 and my Nikkor 14-24mm lens. I would have used the tripod, but the ground was falling steep, and I had to hold the camera up high, to get my photos through the hole in the trees. I shot a 9 image exposure bracketed series, but I only used one image, in the processing, because one was perfectly exposed.Inspiration
I had read about Lake Matheson and read that early in the morning the water would be perfectly smooth and Mount Cook would make a perfect reflection.Editing
I did most of the post-processing of this image in Lightroom. The basics are Highlights: -100 and Shadows +100, and then some tuning of the White and Black point. I then did some brush painting on the mist to enhance that.In my camera bag
I usually carry around my Nikon D800 or my Sony A7R, and my Nikon lenses. Usually a wide angle, either 14-24 or 16-35. I bring my 16-35 if I plan on using filters, but I shoot a lot of HDR's, which makes filters less necessary. And then I have the 24-70mm. I rarely use it for landscapes or cityscapes, but I feel naked without it. Sometimes I bring my 70-200mm as well. I always have a tripod with me. It's a Manfrotto, with a Really Right Stuff ball head on top.Feedback
To shoot a photo like this, requires a location. The location is important, and then the time of year is important too. The mist is quite important. It can be hard to predict when the mist is there, but it is more likely to find the mist floating on a lake during spring and autumn. And then, when you get there, have the patience. Even if you think the moment is gone, it might still come.
