Crystal Lake
Dec, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I live and work in Western Colorado, and this particular spot is at the end of a 5 mile, 3000ft trail. In summer, it's an easy afternoon hike. In winter, with snowshoes, it's a difficult task, but the views never fail to disappoint.Time
I reached my objective around lunchtime, but during winter storms the weather conditions and lighting can be anyone's guess, and so I was fortunate to have a little sunshine after a couple of minutes of waiting.Lighting
Winter mountain weather can change quickly - seemingly in an instant. Looking for a gap in the clouds and being patient are my only real lighting tools.Equipment
I routinely use a Canon 70D, and for this shot I used my favorite travel lens - the 18-135mm STM. I can't afford the weight of a tripod where I go, so 95% of my work is hand-held.Inspiration
I've been visiting this spot for a few years, but the lighting of the peak and the lake below really caught my eye as I approached.Editing
As an amateur, I used to take a perverse pride in not processing. Since those days, I've slowly learned to make the best use of editing tools. I believe in making subtle edits while keeping a sense of realism, and that my job is to present nature in it's natural beauty. That said, I made minor edits to the shadows on the left of the shot.In my camera bag
Aside from a camera and lens, I keep it simple. I have spare batteries and SD cards, and field cleaning supplies.Feedback
Get outside and take a risk on the lighting. Some of my favorite shots were taken during or immediately after bad weather. Stay in shape for those hard to reach places, but know your limitations. No shot is worth your life.
