Backlit Dente de Leão
Nov, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken while walking off the pier at Alder Bay near Port Hardy, British Columbia. To my left was was a high dirt bank with various sprawling, trailing vines and weeds spilling over its edge.Time
It was very early morning and the sun had just begun rising. This image symbolizes, "...and then, out of the corner of my eye..." because that's exactly what happened. While on the pier, I had the unbelievable experience of capturing a mother and baby otter rolling, playing, and rubbing their fur on the weathered planks in a bright ray of early morning sunshine cutting across the bay. Eventually, the two slipped into the water and I watched them dip, up and down around the craggy rocks until they were out of sight. I felt blessed, somehow, to have been so close and to have been given the honor of having those images... not just in my memory but in my camera as well. As I was leaving the pier something arrested my attention. I literally stopped in my tracks, walked backwards, & peered up at the edge of the bank. The sun finally appeared over the tall pines surrounding the marina and I realized if I stood in exactly the right place it fit perfectly behind the dandelion. I remembered someone, a long time ago, saying, "Never take pictures aiming directly at the sun." Laughing to myself, I raised my camera and captured this image. It brings me a great deal of joy because it reminds of an amazing day along Alder Bay.Lighting
When intuition or instinct tells you to take a photograph, take it regardless of any rules you may have been taught about lighting.Equipment
This was captured using a Sony DSC HX100.Inspiration
Nature and instinct inspired me to take this photo. The sun and the dandelion literally grabbed and guided me to express my innate attention to detail (which is a blessing and a curse) as well as whimsy.Editing
I was thrilled when I uploaded the image. If memory serves, I cropped it a bit and straightened it so the the stem was vertical. The camera did all of the work.In my camera bag
I travel lightly; I carry my camera only.Feedback
Nature is an incredible muse. Most things cannot be set up or staged. Be patient. Be alert. Be still. Be quiet. Be open to capturing something you did not plan to capture at all. Unless you are a well-prepared, well-stocked professional photographer, nature always wins; so definitely have a sense of humor and remember to not be too attached to the outcome. Be spontaneous and bold and trust your crazy ideas.
