Bryce Tree
Dec, 2015Views
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vbscottkinfw243499
December 26, 2015
Very nice indeed. I made a mistake when I went there- I stayed on the top. Next time I'm going down in the trails. Did you like the trails?
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at Bryce Canyon National Park. I stumbled across this tree, or trees you could say, on the Navajo Loop Trail!Time
Actually, this picture was taken at an unflattering time of day normally. It was around 11a, or 12p. With this being a busy time of year, in September, some of my best shots were looking up, where there were no people.Lighting
They say the best light is early morning, and in the evening, but this shot captured just enough sunlight to make the photo awesome, in my opinion! In the original photograph, there were more shadows, but as I played with the exposure, it really came to life. I am not one to alter my photos too much, but when I can tweak it JUST ENOUGH to make the photo POP, I get extremely excited!Equipment
I photograph with my Nikon D5300. It isn't the top of the line camera, but right now, traveling as often as I do, I don't want to upgrade just yet. I put this camera through the ringer, in northern Alaska in winter shooting the aurora, the deserts of Utah and Arizona, hikes in the Ozarks, beaches on the east coast, it even traveled all the way to Thailand in humidity and salt water. So far is has held up like a tank! As far as the lens I used, with Bryce Canyon being so expansive, you want a wide angle lens to get all of the breathtaking landscape in your photos, so I used my Nikon 10-24 most of the day, including to take this picture. Because I travel a lot, I have learned that less is more. I have lugged around a whole camera backpack full of equipment on hikes, and that is a mistake I won't make again!Inspiration
This tree had another tree growing into it, almost as if they are both fighting each other for the most sunlight. I thought that was VERY interesting, and had to capture it the best I could. The sky was also a beautiful blue that day, and the contrast between the orange and blue was too good not to capture in this photo.Editing
Like I have said before, I am not one to do too much post-processing on my photos. With this photo, I upped the exposure JUST a little bit, and got rid of some of the shadows. My Nikon 10-24 doesn't always produce the most vibrant photographs, so I also tweaked the vibrance just a little, to make this even more eye catching, and to honestly make it look like it does in person. The rocks at Bryce canyon GLOW. It is truly an amazing place to visit and photograph!In my camera bag
When I am traveling, or going on a road trip, I like to bring almost everything I have, because you never know what you will come across. I of course have my Nikon D5300, my tank, then to accompany him, I have my Nikon 10-24, my Sigma 150-500, my Nikon 85 1.8, and my Nikon 55-300. Along with that, I have my Afaith tripod, my Gorilla Gear shoulder sling, polarized filters, a granola bar, lens wipes, extra batteries and multiple SD cards. Oh, and my GoPro 4 and her Joby Gorillapod which I use for the GoPro and my camera. I have the PacSafe Camsafe V25 bag, and I am in LOVE with it!Feedback
My favorite photographs are from odd angles. You will see me laying on the ground, squatting down, really getting into any uncomfortable position you could imagine to get that perfect shot. The best advice I can give new photographers, is always look UP and all around you, and don't forget those vertical shots! The best shot isn't always staring you in the face. I also look around for other vantage points, other objects to use in the forefront, and I don't usually follow the typical photography rules. If I want something in the middle of my photograph, it is going to be there. One thing, I will say that is unforgiving, is your exposure. Always check your histogram to make sure your photo has enough light. Sometimes there isn't enough post-processing in the world to make your perfectly composed photo look good. Photography is a work of art, and YOU are the artist. There are no rules, so just follow your gut and your eye, and you will get amazing shots that you, as well as everyone else, will love. With that being said, do not get too close to the edge of a mountain or cliff, and ALWAYS make sure your footing is safe and secure before putting the camera up to your eye!
