Sun-drenched
Seemed to be raining caterpillars, and I was lucky to catch one in the pretty sunlight!
Seemed to be raining caterpillars, and I was lucky to catch one in the pretty sunlight!
Read less
Read less
Sep, 2015Views
206
Likes
Awards
Staff Winter Selection 2015
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Top Ranks
Top 30 rank week 1
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 2Top 20 rank week 1
Top 20 rank week 1Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
I shot this photo at Battle Point Park, in my neighborhood. It's a lovely park with a duck pond and lots of foliage and blooms in Spring.Time
It was during the afternoon in May. Caterpillars were in abundance and seemed to have literally dropped out of the trees overnight!Lighting
The sun doesn't set until very late in Washington in the warmer months and this day it was still pretty strong and high. Many photographers avoid harsh mid-day sunlight, usually not flattering for any subject. I've had to learn to make use of this lighting while raising my two kids -going out around their nap schedules, etc. I have to be more creative with angles and positioning, and now I do just that regardless of the lighting!Equipment
This image was shot with my Lensbaby Sweet35 tilt lens and Canon 6d. Lensbaby lenses work wonderfully with the natural sunlight and help to create that magical sun flare!Inspiration
I've been frequenting this park since we relocated to Bainbridge Island in 2012. The seasons bring magical changes to the landscapes in the PNW and this little local park is no different! I savor the fog in fall, frozen ponds and puddles in winter, and the rich greenery and blooms in spring and summer. On this particular day I admired the pretty blooms while walking through what felt like a wonderland of flowers and caterpillars! While getting a closer look at the blooms, I happened upon a caterpillar reaching up toward one on a leaf. I composed and angled up a bit to let in some of that natural sunlight streaming in.Editing
I adding just a smidge of contrast in Lightroom, and that's it! I wanted to keep the tones and contrast minimal to convey the softness of spring and avoid having the flare dominate the image.In my camera bag
On a typical day out in nature I'll carry my Canon 6d, my Lensbaby edge80, sweet35, velvet56, 50mm lens, extension tube/macro converters, and most very recently the omni magnetic creative lens attachments. When the ground is wet it's helped to have a garden kneeling pad to sit and kneel on (for those funky angles). If I only plan for an hour walk in the park or beach I'll lighten my load a bit:)Feedback
Just get outside and shoot at various angles and utilize the lighting available. You don't always have to wait for that perfect light to appear, although it's great when you can utilize that! I think being limited to our surroundings and unpredictable light forces us to be more creative and really understand how our equipment communicates with what's available. For me, it was adapting to being a full-time parent and no longer having the luxury of freedom to go where and when I pleased with my camera that sort of forced me to revise what I photographed to be able to continue with this much needed creative outlet. Nature wasn't always my thing, but it grew on me.
