Ravens Roost Sunset
Sunset at Ravens Roost Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia
Sunset at Ravens Roost Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia
Read less
Read less
May, 2015Views
657
Likes
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Peer Award
All Star
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the Raven's Roost Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Charlottesville, Virginia. The view is spectacular, and this tree is considered the most-photographed tree along the Blue Ridge Parkway. My hope was to combine the tree with the mountain ridges and sunset to create something that was personal for me.Time
We arrived about half an hour before sunset, which, since it was April, we arrived about 7:30 pm for the 8:00 sunset. There were far fewer people around than you would find a bit later in the Spring.Lighting
Raven's Roost is not too remote, but there is no real artificial light nearby - just a bit of light from the city lights in the distance behind the tree.Equipment
This was shot with a Pentax K-5, and a Pentax 15mm prime lens, on a tripod. I used an infrared remote trigger to be sure there would be no camera shake from my hand.Inspiration
I had heard of this lovely location, and had seen the wonderful view earlier in the day, while exploring the area. Arriving early, I was able to take time to examine it from several different vantage points, and to find the composition that was most pleasing to me. As the sun began to set, the colors began to saturate the sky. I waited, hoping to get some nice rays from the sun by using a small aperture (f/22). As the sun neared the top of the ridge in the distance, the rays began to form, and I knew I had what I was looking for.Editing
Most digital images require addition of contrast, and, especially when they are colorful, adding a bit of color saturation. This image was no exception. I always shoot RAW files, so adjusting white balance is quite easy, though it wasn't necessary for this image. In Lightroom I set good black and white points, adjusted the contrast and clarity (mid-range contrast), and added a graduated filter over the upper portion of the sky, where I added some saturation and luminance to specific color ranges, and added a graduated filter over the lower part of the image, where I lifted the shadows to reveal more detail in the near foreground rocks.In my camera bag
My "walking around" lens is a Pentax 18-135. I love the flexibility it gives me from a slight wide angle to a medium telephoto, all in a fairly small package. I usually also have my Pentax 15mm prime, an old, manual focus, 50mm f/1.4 prime, and a Tamron 70-300mm macro zoom. The Tamron is a lower end lens, and isn't super sharp, but its macro is decent for flowers (which I love) and the 300mm end is often helpful, too. That is along with a set of ND filters, tripod, remote trigger for the shutter, usually a flash and remote triggers, and my newest "travel tripod" - a Platypod Pro.Feedback
It is a great help to be able to visit a site in daylight, before showing up for either a sunrise or sunset. You can find good locations and get your composition in mind, as well as looking for areas you might want to avoid. Then get there early - especially if it is a popular location. I returned to this site in August, and it was packed with people. Being early, and planning ahead, allowed me to secure a good location for the shots I wanted.
