smatutea
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Behind The Lens
Location
I'm someone who is always interested in new places and travelling. This photo is a difficult one to locate, since I was on board a cruise ship and we were most likely halfway through crossing the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of sights you definitely do not expect, but have to be prepared for with a camera at hand.Time
This photo was taken at around 6-7pm. Sunsets have always called my attention, their beauty and the colours that they present are breathtaking and definitely worth photographing.Lighting
I wanted to capture the beauty of the sunset, but encompass it in the darkness and vastness that can be found in it while you're in the middle of the ocean. In a position like this you can't find many things to make the image more intriguing, such as silhouettes, because you are given a clean horizon. The darkness in it allows you to have clearly defined edges and at the same time, with a small aperture you will manage to capture the beauty in the direction of the light.Equipment
This was shot on a Nikon D7100 with a Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5, my Nikon being my go-to digital camera.Inspiration
Cruise ships are an interesting way of travelling, but most certainly not really my style. There are many things that can be done on board, but you are confined to a space that although surrounded by nothing but nature, lacks a lot of character. As a travel photographer cruise ships can be frustrating and dull, but a good sunset can certainly fix the slight sense of idleness.Editing
My post-processing process tends to be very minimal. In this image I tweakead the rotation which will allow you to have a straighter horizon and slightly lowered the exposure in the image. As a photographer I struggle with post-processing because there is a part of me that finds it difficult to feel truthful after altering an image, but at the same time there is a part of me that recognizes the skill and creativity that goes into editing, and that is the reason I try to find a balance in my editing.In my camera bag
As much as I love digital photography, I'm an analogue photographer at heart; the first thing that goes into my trusted Langly Alpha Pro is my Canon F1 and at least 3 35mm film rolls (always carry a spare, or 2). When considering digital photography it all depends on what I will be shooting, but I pack my Nikon D7100 and a Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, along with my standard 18-55mm f/3.5 and my 55-300mm f/4.5. Always a couple of extra memory cards, and an extra battery.Feedback
Flat horizons can offer a great images if you know how to play with the light that you're given. Sunsets will allow you to play for a short period of time with the direction of light and the path it creates as it bounces off of whatever obstructs its path. Small apertures will allow you to get the path that light creates very easily and it can be aided by a slow shutter speed. Do not be afraid of underexposing, play with the light that you're given!