peace
taking a moment to reflect in thicket and calm of antarctic waters
taking a moment to reflect in thicket and calm of antarctic waters
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Feb, 2015Views
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Awards
Member Selection Award
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Contest Finalist in Outdoor Action and Adventure Photo Contest by Focal Press
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
My mother and I went to Antarctica as it was the last big trip on her bucket list. This was taken in Wilhelmina Bay on our first full day on the Antarctic Peninsula.Time
This was mid-morning in mid-December (summer in the Southern Hemisphere).Lighting
The lighting when we were in Antarctica was really tricky to work with. We were lucky to have long sunny days but it meant it was very bright and a challenge with all of the white snow reflecting. I tended to shoot about a third lower than the camera metering suggested. I also used a graduated ND filter.Equipment
Canon 5D MIII with a 35MM f2 prime lens fitted with a graduated ND filterInspiration
Antartica was no place on my travel list. I hate being cold. I am afraid of being cold. I had to will myself onto the plane and onto the ship. I only went because I regretted not making sure my grandmother took her dream trip to Alaska when I easily could have done and I didn't want to have the same regret with my mother's desire to go to Antartica. I love to kayak so despite my intense misgivings about the cold I signed up for the kayaking group. I almost backed out the first morning. I wasn't sure I would manage. I am shy around new people. As soon as we got on the water, all of my fears vanished. It was the most peaceful place I had ever been. It was magical to paddle amongst the ice. The water was mirror flat creating stunning reflections and adding to the sense of being in a place out of time and as far away from the hustle and bustle of life as one can be. All of the people in the group had a wonderful spirit of adventure and great humour. There were experienced paddlers and outright beginners and we all came together over the week. This shot captures the peace and wonder of the place for me.Editing
I used a graduated filter to further bring our the color of the sky and made some minor adjustments to vibrance, tone and contrast. I used whiball cards before each round of shooting which allowed my to make minor adjustments to white balance in post-processing easily.In my camera bag
The past two years have seen a big switch in my bag to prime lenses (thank goodness for Christmas and birthdays and a kind husband). My 35mm f2 prime is my default lens for walking around while the 300mm comes along in case some wonderful wild thing makes its presence known. In addition to my 5D MIII I also carry a small olympus underwater point and shoot for those moments when the need to stick my hand underwater over take me or the weather is too could to want to get the good kit out. I increasingly carry a small trip at all times. My Benro flat tripod is perfect for travel. Shooting a lot in wet marine environments, I keep electrical tape in my bag so that I can cover any exposed parts of the camera or doors where moisture might get in.Feedback
The bright snow and summer light made for really tricky lighting. I checked my histogram after almost every shot to make sure I hadn't blown anything out. The ND graduated filter was critical so that I could balance the sea and sky
