train tracks sunset
Apr, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Decatur, Texas on Christmas Evening. I had received this lens as a Christmas present and wanted to go test it out. Decatur is a tiny town Northwest of Fort Worth where my In-Laws lived and the sunsets can be amazing. I waited until that magic time and set out to explore. I found this little back road that the tracks crossed. The tracks made this curve in the farmland that I thought was beautiful. I had to watch my back constantly as it is an active track. (I do not recommend)Time
This was the golden hour on Christmas Evening. I waited for the sun to start going down as the sunsets are amazing in this part of Texas in the evenings. You can see for miles up on the hills out into the west. I wanted to find a great shot of the sky. This was taken approximately 5:40pm on Dec. 25th, 2014. Being that it was Christmas it was quiet out as everyone was having dinner with their families. The sky was magical as was the day!!!Lighting
I wanted to catch the amazing sunsets that frequent the sky's in the NW part of Texas. Being in the winter time, the sunsets start early. This shot is all natural light with no additional lighting added.Equipment
This was shot with my backup camera, Canon EOS T3i, EF-S15-85mm, Tripod, no additional equipment.Inspiration
I'm a Texas girl through and through. It was Christmas Day and this is a very small old town so no one was out and about. I wanted to capture this little town and the history of it, as my in laws were planning on moving and this would probably be their last Christmas in this small town they loved. I went and took pictures of the historic downtown square, old gas stations, the abandoned train station and I wanted to capture the amazing sunsets. I grew up near a train track and still love to hear the trains, so I have a tendency to be drawn to them. This tracks runs out of town where you are up on a hill and can see west for miles and miles.(This curve is right before that vastness). I found this spot and was inspired by that feeling of leaving this beautiful old town and the curve heading out into the sunset. It was nostalgic for myself and I thought my Mother in law would love the sentiment...and she did. It is her favorite picture I've ever taken(besides the grandkids of course.)Editing
I did post process this RAW file first in Lightroom and then some in Photoshop. There was already amazing colors in this sunset, so I saturated it more to bring them out to be more dramatic. I also upped the clarity and sharpness.In my camera bag
It is really all according to what I am going to go shoot. If it is landscape I have three different lenses packed. I usually have my Canon 85mm, Canon 24-70mm and the always amazing Canon 70-200mm F1.4. A tripod and monopod, a Speedlite, and ND filter. I always have a reflector just in case. I also do portrait where I'll have a 50mm and when I do sports and I switch out those smaller lenses for my big guy the Tamron 150-600mm.Feedback
This part of the country has amazing scenery and sunsets. There are so many places that are off the beaten track. You have to be willing to explore ahead of time and explore a lot. Go down those back roads that you think probably have nothing because you'll be surprised what you might find. Go to the places that are not the popular "it" places and use your imagination. The possibilities are unlimited in Texas and the Southwest. The sunsets are amazing almost all year round but each season they have their own character. Go out where there is less light pollution. It can get chilly once the sun starts going down so take some gloves and a jacket in the winter and lots of water in the summer. Plan ahead both equipment and timing. Be patient and keep taking images. Every minute the colors change. Explore, be patient and use your imagination.
