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joanneshoots2

Arches National Park Arizona

KODAK CX7430 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA

settings

Aperture f/5.6 Shutter 1/500 Focal Length 56/10

upload_date

Nov, 2015

Views

156

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Absolute Masterpiece

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Behind The Lens

Location

Of course this photo was taken in Arches National Park in Utah USA and represents the best adventure I've experienced in my travels. I'm not sure that this particular arch is still there. I heard that it collaped a few years ago. Together with 15 of my girlfriends (most in late 50s) arrived in Salt Lake City Utah, not knowing what to expect. When the "Adventure Bus" [www.adventurebus.com] arrived, we were all a little nervous. For 7 days the bus would be our "home" as we traveled through several of the national parks including Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Arches,Monument Valley, Moab for some serious hiking, camping and enjoying the amazing vistas and challenges. With the seats removed, the bus was converted into into comfy cozy bus-beds. Some nights, we stayed in campgrounds and enjoyed star filled skies, campfires, and yes… showers! On others nights we slept on the bus as the driver drove all night to deliver us to yet another great adventure.

Time

The photo was taken mid day (it was about 100 degrees) but very dry. Hiking through an amazing landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures unlike any other in the world. The park has over 2,000 natural sandstone arches which allows for great hiking.

Lighting

The sun,light and heat is intense in that part of the country even in Winter. It's difficult to avoid deep shadows. Luckily, now if you shoot RAW, you can tone down blow outs and soften shadows with any software. This photo is from a jpg maybe 16 MP

Equipment

This photo was taken in 2004. I am sure I used a small point and shoot digital that was popular at the time with only 16mp No tripod, flash or anything else (I was hiking) adn with all the light it was easy to get a good shot mot of the time.

Inspiration

Every place was inspiring, challenging an amazing. I think I have a collection of hundreds of shots. I did not set out to capture great photos but rather to improve my hiking skills. Every vista enticed you to keep going up to see the next one and the next. We did reach some heights like Angel's Landing in Zion. 270 million-year-old rock layers. By the end of the trip we were all in better shape, thinner, happy and great friends. Not having to worry about driving and where to stay was such a pleasure. I highly recommend the Adventure Bus for all ages.

Editing

I'm sure that I did but it is a small jpg. Lately I've been reprocessing older shots with smaller mps using an HDR approach allowing for deeper intensity. And of course playing with exposure, balancing high lights and shadows.

In my camera bag

Currently (2016) I use a Sony A6000 mirrorless which is more comfortable for my small hands. With the mirrorless I am always ready to capture a great shot. Going out for a group shot with friends I usually take the more cumbersome Canon and tripod. But last week my husband bought a Nikon D750 which I can't wait to take on a shoot.

Feedback

First, be sure you are dressed for the climate and location. (Hiking boots, hats, sun glasses, lots of sun screen lotion, and most importantly a good supply of water, backpack). Make sure that an extra battery and sd card is in your backpack. Not carrying a larger 35mm and lenses made for a lighter backpack. Because many of the best vistas are deep in the park a tripod in not practical. Since the sun is so intense, very fast shutter speeds with a low ISO (even 400 might be too high) allow for sharp shots. There are many locations where you can park the camera on another structure in lieu of a tripod.

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joanneshoots2

joanneshoots2

Arches National Park Arizona

Behind The Lens

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