Tree in a ball
Nov, 2015Views
750
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Awards
Action Award
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Legendary Award
Top Shot Award
Staff Winter Selection 2015
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Superior Skill
Genius
Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo on a winter walk with some friends in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. We were having a tramp over some muddy fields. They are very used to me hauling my camera with me everywhere...however, they were a bit non-plussed when I took out the crystal ball! I think they thought that I had suddenly turned all mystic and was going to tell them their futures. I took this on the way back from a nice lunch out, so the tree was behind me. I just happened to turn around (mind you I do tend to do that often, as sometimes the best shots are the ones right behind you) and the tree was lit up with the sun behind it. Perfect!Time
Taken in the afternoon and in the Winter when the sun when the sun was lower on the horizon. There is lovely difracted light behind the tree, which also made for lovely bokah.Lighting
Lovely low light was the key to this shot. The sun behind the tree made lovely long shadows, and highlighted the bare branches.Equipment
This was shot on a Canon 450d with 50mm lens - the 'nifty fifty' I believe its called. A fantastic lens! I'm not tall, so my arm is held as far as it would stretch to hold the ball!Inspiration
I was in the middle of a 365 project at the time (take a photo a day - it really improves your photography) and had seen crystal ball shots on the site I used. I think this was my first shot with it - and it took several to get one in focus. And I do love trees as subjects. I spotted this one on the way to lunch, and was trying to work out if the sun would be behind it on the way back.Editing
Shot in raw, so some post-processing on the file - just some adjustment to curves and conversion to jpeg for uploading. And of course, I inverted the shot, as the reflection is upside down otherwise.In my camera bag
Until very recently I had a Canon 450D and various lenses. I traded everything in a couple of months ago for a Lumix G7 and 3 lenses. This was purely down to the weight of my camera bag! Major spinal surgery and then a knee ligament problem forced me (eventually) to consider a lighter camera. So far its seems to be an excellent replacement.Feedback
Shots like this are definitely down to trial and error. Not all crystal ball shots work. This shot was handheld - literally with my right arm at arms length, and the camera precariously held in the other hand - at least the 50mm lens is light! I suppose a tripod would be useful, or one could balance the crystal ball on a stand. However I have tried this with disasterous consequences, as the ball failed to bounce when it fell off the stand! Most of all they are fun shots to do, and my 365 project was all about fun!
