Sunset
Taken in Sequoia National Park. Driving back to our campsite, we noticed spectacular sunset views. We parked in the nearest turnout and I took some shots. ...
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Taken in Sequoia National Park. Driving back to our campsite, we noticed spectacular sunset views. We parked in the nearest turnout and I took some shots.
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Mar, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken in King's Canyon National Park, just nearby Sequoia National Park in California. It was approaching dusk as we began heading back to camp when we encountered a beautiful road with breathtaking views along the sides. We just had to stop and take photos. As a young photographer with an awesome older brother, he had bought the camera equipment for me a few years back and ever since I've taken it on every camping trip we do.Time
This was taken at 7:54 in the evening of July 14, 2014.Lighting
Dusk is my favorite time to shoot as you get really beautiful colors. However, it can be tricky since you're losing light every second. This here was a situation where I didn't have a ton to work with. The shadows in the trees were starting to get very dark and the sunset colors were starting to fade. I knew I had to figure out a way to fix it in post-processing.Equipment
This was taken with a Canon T3i with a lens I borrowed from one of my brother's friends, a Tokina 11-16 f/2.8. As a young amateur with no money, with great friends that enjoyed photography and had money, I've had the opportunity to use a wide range of lenses, aside from the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 and the Canon 50 f/1.4 prime that my brother got me. The scene was way too wide for a 17-50 so I had to go wider.Inspiration
I love landscapes and it's an instinctual response of mine to take photos to capture what I saw. I really enjoy being in nature. Theres such a peacefulness to it. For me, time stops when I'm in nature.Editing
When I got home and did the first edit, I was unhappy with it actually. I was using some RAW software that just couldn't bring the image alive. The photo sat for about a year and I decided to revisit it when I got Lightroom. By that time, my concept of what I think looked good had improved. I looked at the image with fresh eyes and a more experienced vision and rediscovered the beautiful scene I saw.In my camera bag
I have always carry the lenses my brother bought for me, a Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 and the Canon 50 f/1.4 prime. However, that has changed. Sadly, the 17-50 broke. The zooming mechanism broke so that lens just slides roughly within the housing so it's either 17 or 50 and the in between is slidy. With my 17-50 broken, I used solely a 50 prime for a while and that was a great exercise in composition. By placing limits on yourself, you begin to pay more attention to what remains in your control. It required me to think more about my shot since I couldn't just zoom in and just click. I had to find the frame within the circumstances I was given. The the 50 prime got sand in the focus ring as I was shooting in a sandstorm. I left my camera jacket at home. So that broke too. I think the shots may have been worth it though! Now I shoot with my cell phone lol. But it's cool. I've learned the equipment does not make the photographer.Feedback
1. If you're unhappy with the way post-processing is going, let it sit. Put it away for a while and revisit it. With a fresh start, you may find the image you are looking for. 2. Place limits on yourself for a while. Having a wide range of focal lengths is great, but if you use your vast collection of lenses as a crutch, then I think you are actually limiting yourself, in my opinion. You can change lenses every 5 minutes or you can just take what you're given and find the shot. Some of my best compositions have been with the 50 prime.
