21Dec2015
Sunset on Dec 21st from San Tan Valley, AZ.
Sunset on Dec 21st from San Tan Valley, AZ.
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Dec, 2015Views
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Awards
Contender in the Photography Awards
Action Award
Top Shot Award 22
People's Choice in Mother Nature at her finest Photo Challenge
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken outside the San Tan Mountain Regional Park, in San Tan Valley, Arizona.Time
I try to keep track of sunset and moon rise times on a regular basis in case the conditions are favorable for photos..The photo was actually taken at almost 6 pm on December 21st. I had started to get impatient, and most of the clouds had moved out and I was getting ready to leave. I had already scouted the cacti I would would want in my photos, but since the colors did not look like they were going to "POP" I was going to leave. I was almost to the car when I noticed the color change and had to jog back across the desert to my previously scouted spot.Lighting
As for sunset lighting, patience is required. This kind of lighting shows up in the very last couple minutes the sunset.Equipment
This shot was using only my Canon T3i, f/4, 1/200 sec, ISO 640.Inspiration
I am a transplant to Arizona and I just enjoy sharing the photos and sunsets unique to Arizona with all of my friends and family. I also submit photos to the local news and found that the cacti in photos almost always get shown on TV. Everyone I know associates the saguarro cactus with Arizona.Editing
The only post I performed on this photo was a bit of cropping.In my camera bag
My bag(s) are MountainSmith and my camera and lens are usually in the backpack, but I also have the compatible chest pack to attach to the back pack. If I have time to make the decision to go get sunset photos (in particular) I switch my gear from the back pack to the chest pack to travel a little lighter in the desert. I always have my camera, the 18-55mm, the 300mm zoom, spare batteries, intervelometer, a wireless remote and some minor cleaning supplies with me at all times. And there is usually some sort of flashlight in my bag as well.Feedback
As for trying to capture something similar I advise planning, timing and patience. I often mutter "patience" to myself. I also need to learn to keep some sort of bug repellant with me. To get out in the middle of somewhere and realize you can't stick around because you are being eaten alive, stinks! Planning for me means keeping an eye on the sky. Light to moderate clouds bring these sunsets to life. Timing, down load an app or be watching your local news to get your sunset time. You want to get there early enough to scout what you want in the photo. But because you got there early enough to scout your location you will have the need for patience to wait through the very last seconds of light.
