9376155649_e703812b81_o (1)
Apr, 2015Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on the Blue Ridge parkway on a bridge that crossed the James River, It is a place that I have taken many photos and one that I always go back to visit, While I have taken many photos there this night shot is one of my favorites,Time
The photo was taken at about 10:30 at night, I had originally planned to either do star trails or shoot the Milky Way. There was too much atmosphere and clouds in the sky, I believe it is important to be flexible so I decided to try to do a river image instead and hope the atmosphere would work with the shot,Lighting
The light was what I had from what was happening around me. In dealing with 30 second exposures, there is always a chance element with what will happen with the lighting, Either happy accidents or a ruinous light could happen, This time I was hoping the boat in the river with luck would not move.Equipment
I used a D90 Nikon Camera with a Sigma 17-50 2.8 lens, and of course a tripod, My camera settings were 30 second exposure, f/4 a-aperture and 200 ISO For night shooting a wide angle 2.8 lens works very well.Inspiration
I am always in search of that most perfect picture, Not so much perfect in technical aspects but in the feeling the photo evokes.Editing
I shoot raw and I do post process in Lightroom and Photoshop, In Lightroom I make the large adjustments, Photoshop is for fine tuning, I process by eye carefully trying to reach the right points of balance with contrast, tones, and colors that is appealing. I try to envision my shot from what I see and hope to reach the same visually pleasing aspects with my image,In my camera bag
I am a minimalist, Now, I have three lens. A Nikon 16-85 that stays on my camera, and a Tokina 12-24, and a Tokina 50-135. As far as filters just one variable ND filter. I also have a flash when I do event photography. Having less equipment helps you understand the full potential of what you have.Feedback
My advice for night shooters is to plan ahead of time. One tool I use is the Photographer's Ephemeris. I have planned exactly where I wanted to set up ahead of time and know the position of the sun and the moon in relationship to the shot I wanted. In one shot of the Super Moon I had figured the time to be in front of a chapel. And, the distance I needed to be from the Chapel to get the moon in the right position. Then of course be ready to be flexible and change your original plans,
