4 mile run
4 Mile Run in Northern Virginia
4 Mile Run in Northern Virginia
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Jan, 2016Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken close to our home in Northern Virginia. Yes, this is inside the 'beltway', not far from DC. As a self-taught photograph and the year this was taken this was among some of my first adventures. A small trail follows along and crosses the stream, this image is at one of the crossings.Time
This is always a nice walk, even in November when this was taken at noon time. The fall colors are not at their peak, but as you can see still pretty colorful. The wrong time of day with very harsh light, but you deal with what you have. I was learning about composition, rule of thirds, and trying to compose as much of the scene 'in camera' as possible.Lighting
Midday sunlight on a very sunny day, a situation that everyone says don't do! I was looking at the scene trying to practice what I was learning and wanted to draw the viewer into the photo and follow the stream. I wanted the rocks in the foreground as a point to 'step into' the photo. What caught my eye were the reflections of the trees in the water and the cross shadows, formed a pattern down the stream.Equipment
All I had at the time was an old Kodak DX 7590. A nice simple camera for its day, but over 10 years old when I took this. Shot at 1/125 this was hand held. Shot in a .jpeg format, the camera didn't take raw format. I think this is a great example that you don't have to have expensive equipment to get a good image. I wanted a slower shutter speed to blur some of the water, but not to slow that I couldn't take it hand held. The compromise between exposure, blur, and hand held was 1/125th.Inspiration
I was looking for any scene that I could practice and learn with. This is just one of many I took that day out on our walk. I realized more interesting things about the image after I took it, like the contrast between the dark bare trees on the right side of the stream compared to the colorful trees on the left. Sometimes, I go places specifically to shot a particular image. I find it disappointing that when I get there, the image doesn't match my 'minds eye'. I always look for an 'image' in what I have wherever I'm at.Editing
This image was pretty over exposed from the bright light. I post processed this most likely in GIMP. I am a big believer in open source software, especially when it is free. My normal workflow is white balance, exposure, cropping, then some color enhancement and toning. I try get as much of the image correct in camera and then do as little post processing as necessary. Of course sometimes it is fun to experiment.In my camera bag
I have moved from the Kodak to a Nikon D-3300, starting to get a little old but still a great camera. I have the two kit lenses and a niffy 50. A nice tripod, a set of filters, ND and color. A simple kit without a lot of expensive toys. I do have two mono light strobes with soft boxes for portraits, food, and product photography to learn more techniques.Feedback
I think you can find great scenes where ever you are. They may not be majestic misty mountains or crashing surf on a sandy beach in the moon light, but none the less, where you are now has the making of a great image. The only way to learn and improve is to shoot, and shoot, and shoot... Learn the basics, think through your scene, and shoot what makes you happy. Use what you have, you don't need the latest greatest camera and million dollar lens. Process the image with what you have, doesn't have to be the greatest technology with expensive 'magic' filters. Ansel Adams had a dark room with the same chemicals as anyone else. I wonder what he would do today?
