Alaskan Morning Mist
It rains a lot near Juneau, Alaska! While it may seem dreary to some, to others like myself, there is a fantasy mystique to the mist amongst the forest trees d...
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It rains a lot near Juneau, Alaska! While it may seem dreary to some, to others like myself, there is a fantasy mystique to the mist amongst the forest trees due to the rain and temperature. You always want to have great rain gear when you go to Alaska in the summer not only for yourself, but for your camera equipment. It is a wondrous, mystical, gorgeous place to experience!
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Oct, 2015Views
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Awards
Fall Award 2020
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Behind The Lens
Location
My husband and I were on a cruise which brought us through Tracy Arm to Sawyer Glacier in Alaska. Even during the summer, Alaska can be rainy and misty which provides wonderful opportunities to photograph the landscape in a variety of natural light.Time
I believe it was mid-morning when I captured this image.Lighting
Lighting in Alaska can be a wonderful enhancement to one's photos or the ultimate frustration for a photographer, especially when coupled with weather and time of day. In Alaska one also has to be aware the length of time there is available "sunlight" varies tremendously depending on the time of year you are there. I photograph using only natural light when photographing outdoors. So on this day, the lighting was flat, with mist, rain and a substantial cloud cover.Equipment
I use Canon equipment since I am familiar with it from film days. I always carry two bodies as well as a small easily accessible "point and shoot" camera, so this image was taken with a Canon Power Shot SX120 IS. I handheld the camera and did not use any flash.Inspiration
Alaska is inspiring everywhere you look and visit, but the image of the fog covered rugged sides of the Tracy Arm Fjord created an atmosphere of intrigue and mystery. The landscape reminded me of how an author would describe caution and suspense in a novel.Editing
I do very little post-processing, especially if I am photographing nature and wildlife because it is very important to me to represent the raw beauty and fragile balance mankind must protect that we are rapidly destroying. I do only basic Lightroom alterations such as cropping, contrast, exposure and/or brightness.In my camera bag
I have two Canon bodies, three lenses, multiple charged batteries, a battery charger, multiple compact flash cards, a Power Shot, my phone and a couple of plastic bags. In Alaska you ALWAYS have to be prepared for inclement weather. You need to protect not only yourself from the changing weather, but also your camera equipment. While there are many fancy protectors for all of the major components of my equipment, I have found the easiest and quickest "protector" is a plastic grocery bag. I tear a hole in the closed end of the bag for my camera lens to peek through while the bag covers the rest of the lens and camera body. I have never used a tripod except for long exposures.Feedback
Be prepared for the weather in this type of environment. Plan to be wet and cold, so layer up and protect your head, face, hands and feet from exposure and wind. When I am on a ship that I cannot control where it is going or for how long it is going to stay in one spot, I am ALWAYS outside with my camera in hand ready to photograph. You are NOT going to get an image like this if you are waiting inside until you see what you want to capture because the moment will be gone. Be aware of how the wind will affect your ability to take a sharp, detailed image. You might have to tuck yourself in a small area that is protected from the wind. Have fun, be inspired by the natural beauty of Alaska and make sure you don't litter or infringe on an animal's habitat just to get a selfie or a specific angle. You may have to adjust your position to be the least invasive as you possibly can.
