Sunflower
Aug, 2015Views
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Awards
Fall Award 2020
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Peer Award
Superior Skill
Outstanding Creativity
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken near Denver International Airport in Colorado.Time
I took this image at dusk so around 6:00 or 6:30. The drive there I was concerned that there would be no light because a large storm was brewing right over me. When I arrived thought the clouds had moved over my shoulders and a couple of beams of light were bursting through the cloud cover. Truly a one in a lifetime experience.Lighting
The lighting was truly weird for this shot. Usually the red and orange tones cast a beautiful warm light on the sunflowers. But with the giant storm clouds right behind me an interesting cool cast of light hit my sunflowers making an entirely different feel. Also as skies go there was a lot of blues which usually make me shy away from an image but I think it give this images a the perfect saturated feel.Equipment
This was shot in a pretty straight forward manor. I used a Canon 7d markII with a 24-105mm F4 IS USM I lens mounted on a Benro Com47AL with a FLM bullhead and used a cable release. I usually shoot with a polarizer but since it was directed at the sun there was no need.Inspiration
Honestly this was an unplanned and spur of the moment photographic adventure. I was leaving for college that weekend and wanted an image that could remind me how special Colorado really is.Editing
This is a three exposure HDR image processed in Lightroom. The reason I used HDR was for the color and shadow detail since I was shooting on a crop sensor camera. I did minimal tone curve adjustment to keep it looking the way my eyes saw it when I was there. The saturation and contrast is pushed but I think it makes it a more striking image.In my camera bag
For this shoot and others I always have a tripod and head with my canon 7d markII, 24-105mm F4, 70-200mm F2.8, 300mm F4, and a 50mm F1.8 STM. I also have a Mamiya C3 medium format film camera and light meter.Feedback
Just get out and go. A scene like this can look good whether it was shot on an iPhone or DSLR. Pay attention to the dynamic range of the scene and share the amazing images you capture.
