Approaching Sunset
Taken during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Taken during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Read less
Read less
Oct, 2013Views
1350
Likes
Awards
Top Shot Award 22
Featured
Contest Finalist in HDR Only Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
Exceptional Contrast
Love it
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rank
Categories
Nevine-Hadidi
December 21, 2015
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
I was out in one of the tulips fields near Mount Vernon, Washington. I actually live only about 30 minutes away, so the tulips every year become a great subject to capture.Time
In April the Skagit Valley is so colorful with the pockets of fields that have tulips blooming. I had been visiting a couple fields on my way home from work and found this off the main path. It was around 6:30 pm when I realized the sun was going to be setting soon. So, I found a spot that I liked and started taking photos.Lighting
I knew this could be a great sunset because the clouds were offering a chance for the sunset to light them up in a great way while casting a great color into the sky.Equipment
I was using a Canon 7D that I had bought from a friend and had for less than a year. I made sure to use a tripod because I wanted to bracket my shots to create an HDR image. On the camera I as using a Tonika wide angle lens to capture as much of the scene as possible.Inspiration
To me clouds are an integral part of the photo when I take tulip field pictures. They add to the another layer to the photo to make it more interesting. I will often skip taking photos on a day when there are no clouds or a full overcast day, which is often more likely here in the Pacific Northwest. On this day the clouds were looking great and had plenty of character on their own. So I went out hopeful to capture something great.Editing
When I was out in the field I knew I wanted to create an HDR image to help bring out the clouds and color of the sky. I took 3 photos at different exposures. At home I used Photomatix Pro to merge the photos together and then be able to edit the photo for white balance and such from there.In my camera bag
My trusty Canon 7D is there. The main lens that sits on it currently is the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 so I can quickly capture shots. And then packed in my bag are my other lenses: a Tamron 70-200 f/4-5.6 for when I need to go long, a Tamron 60mm f/2 for more macro, and the Tonika 11-16 f/2.8 for landscapes. The variety of lenses allow me to feel prepare to capture anything on my little adventures I go on.Feedback
Knowing the area a little helps and can save time, especially if the area is seeing a lot of tourist. If you aren't familiar with the area, maybe check and see if there are any local photographers that want to join you. Then look to the sky and see what the clouds are doing. You don't want them covering up the sunset, but to help add to it. Of course you need a field of flowers or some other crop if you want to be creative. Lastly a tripod to set your camera on to be able to take bracket photos for a HDR image.
