Storm In Montana.
A thunderstorm provides needed moisture to the countryside as well as some fantastic photo ops! Most of the time it's a show worth sitting and watching be...
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A thunderstorm provides needed moisture to the countryside as well as some fantastic photo ops! Most of the time it's a show worth sitting and watching because clouds roll through separated by periods of sun.
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Oct, 2015Views
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alanjohnfrancis
October 28, 2015
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
alanjohnfrancis
October 28, 2015
Lovely colours. If you have any image editing sofware, I'd remove the long piece grass that seems to protrude in front of the fence post, it's just a little distracting. Otherwise nice work.
rjb0765
May 30, 2023
I would like to thank everybody for their positive comments on this photo! Back when these photos were posted on this photo I had no idea that could even happen lol. Normally I respond to each comment in this case it didn't happen but I won't respond to any current post on any of my photos. Thank you very much.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I lived in the Bitterroot valley of Montana at the time I made this capture. This was literally within three miles of my home, so it was a "right place, right time" kind of photo.Time
I was very happy with the way the photo turned out since it was taken in the mid afternoon and not during what is called the golden hour. The lighting still came out very even, probably due to the amount of cloud cover at the time of the shot. The sun was darting into and out of rain clouds for most of the day and I knew it was a good time to get out and look for interesting shots.Lighting
This day was perfect for lighting; overcast with periodic rain vs sunshine. This type of weather causes very dramatic lighting to fall on landscapes of all sizes. On days like this you can get all types of light depending on the thickness and color and brightness of clouds, the amount of rainfall, how much the sun gets through the clouds and reflected light from a wet landscape. I always try to shoot specifically on stormy days.Equipment
I used a Canon 7D, a 24-105mm L series lens and no tripod; hand held shot. Mother nature supplied the lighting.Inspiration
I've been told by people who visit my website and see my photos I post that I have and "eye" for compositions. While I appreciate the kind words some of them I agree with and some of them I don't. I've taken some courses that are designed to help people see better compositions and I like to think I have improved over time. So I guess I was inspired by what I saw in nature; the grandness of it all. I could see the storm clouds and the light getting through, and really liked the translucence of the rain on the hills. I could see through the rain.Editing
All of my photos are processed for saturation and noise in Photoshop. I try really hard not to over process, I want the photo to speak for itself. I don't add lighting or take away trees unless they are really in the way and distracting. I try to show it just as it was when I was there.In my camera bag
I do the opposite of what I probably should when it comes to equipment...I carry as much as possible. You never know when you're going to be out shooting and if you have to go back and get some piece of something you need...the shot may not be there waiting for you when you get back. Since I'm a Canon fan I carry a 5D MK IV, my trusty 100-400 mm ii L series lens couple with a Canon 1.4x iii teleconverter, a 24-105 mm L series, a 100 mm macro L series, a 16-35 iii mm L series, a 50 mm 1.8 lens, two off camera flashes, two radio controlled control units for the flashes, a small on flash soft box, a set of reflectors, an over the shoulder strap to secure the camera, two extra camera batteries and a wall charger for them, AA and AAA batteries for accessories, a radio controller for the camera, (of course I can use my cell phone for camera controls also), cleaning pads, any wiring I might need to connect to a laptop or whatever, bug spray, bear spray and a waterproof cover for the bag. Oh yeah, my trusty tripod, always.Feedback
Time and commitment. I watched a documentary about a man named Joe Humphries. He's a very famous fly fisherman and teacher, among other things. He was very inspirational. I'll give the advice I borrowed from him and pass it to you. "Look Up." No matter what you are doing, where you are going, take time to lift your head and look around. Look at that tree that's been there for hundreds of years, look how blue the sky can be in the springtime. It is absolutely astounding if you start to notice the beauty of the little things right around you.
