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Photographed in Northern Michigan!
Photographed in Northern Michigan!
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May, 2015Views
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Awards
People's Choice in mystic mist Photo Challenge
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Peer Award
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on one of my favorite lakes in one of my favorite places to photograph during the fall color peak. This was photographed on a small lake near Munising Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This is an area of small lakes and northern hardwoods along the south shore of Lake Superior.Time
This photograph was taken in the early morning shortly before sunrise. The nights are fairly long this time of year this far north. It allows me to get plenty of sleep, and still make it to where I want to photograph in the morning before the best light. In this case, the sun was coming up, but had not yet risen above the horizon. I had arrived to this location while it was still dark, and had gotten my equipment ready. Then I waited and watched waiting for the light to come up.Lighting
It was a cold(below freezing) clear and calm morning. There was heavy morning fog rising off the surface of the lake. While the sun was still under the horizon, it was creating beautiful colors in the sky. And also creating just the right amount of contrast for a scene like this.Equipment
This photo was shot with a Nikon d5100 with a nikon 75-300 4.5-5.6 zoom. I had this combination mounted on a sturdy Gitzo tripod with a Foba ballhead. I also used a cabled remote to avoid any unnecessary camera vibration. No other equipment was used.Inspiration
I arrived at this location early, while it was still dark in the morning. As I watched the light come up I observed this island subtly showing itself through the fog. I wanted to get a nice composition with the reeds in the foreground and the island behind it. The fog was layering itself nicely with a nice glow of color from the sky in the top of the frame. As the fog is constantly moving, I had to move fast to get my tripod in a good position to get this framing. While the scene as it presented itself was beautiful(I have a color version which I also like) I knew at the time that the layers of tones and the mood and the beauty of the foggy scene would give me a peaceful, yet dramatic black and white photo.Editing
After I converted it to black and white, I adjusted brightness and contrast in certain areas. Namely, in the lower right portion, right in front of the island, and along the fog line along the top of the frame. I needed to reduce noise that seems to introduce itself in a grayscale conversion, and sharpened the lily pads.In my camera bag
I have a Nikon d810, and 3 lenses that I always carry. A 75-300 4.5-5.6 zoom(this is my workhorse) a Nikon 24-50 zoom, and a Nikon 20 4.0. I carry a circular polarizer, and a 8x neutral density filters. For close up work I have a 52mm extension tube and a Nikon 6t close up filter. Nikon does not make these filters anymore, but you can still find them. They do a very good job for the price,and they are fun to use. I also carry at least one disc reflector.Feedback
Fog like this is created by the temperature difference between the cold air and the relatively warmer water. A photo like this must be shot early in the morning when the fog is rising off the water. When I arrive at a location early in the morning, it will be have been scouted before hand. I like to get my gear ready and wait. While I have certain compositions in mind when I arrive, I always try to keep an open mind about what is about to unfold in front of me. So the best advice I can give is to watch, keep your eyes and mind open. And have the camera ready. That tree or log may show itself through the fog for only a moment.
