Sylvan Lake
Custer State Park, South Dakota
Custer State Park, South Dakota
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Feb, 2016Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo of Sylvan Lake at Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota.Time
We had spent the day visiting Mt Rushmore and the surrounding area. While talking to a park ranger in Custer State Park, we learned about the Needles Hwy which curves and weaves it's way precariously between cliffs and mountaintops. We drove for a couple of jaw dropping hours, finally reaching Sylvan Lake at the top just after sunset.Lighting
I had hoped to arrive at the lake sooner, but as it turned out we did a little too much sightseeing, and the light was really beginning to fail. Knowing I was moving on to Yellowstone the next morning, I realized this was my chance and it might be years before I had another. I took seven different exposures of this particular shot in the hopes I would be able to salvage a memorable image.Equipment
Shot with a Canon EOS T3 with an 18-55 mm lens, using a tripod.Inspiration
When the park ranger described Sylvan Lake to us as the "Crown Jewel of Custer State Park" I knew I needed to get there before dark. I almost didn't make it.Editing
Other than what I did using NIK's HDR feature, and a few minor tweaks in Lightroom, there was little post to speak of, really.In my camera bag
Generally I keep three lenses: Canon 10-18 mm, 18-55mm, and a 55-250mm. Plus a couple of filters, and a tripod.Feedback
The main thing I find is important for landscapes is timing. The right light is elusive and if you cut things to closely in your planning you'll miss it like I did last summer when I took this photo. So always be willing to try some of the less conventional methods or even to "cheat" a little bit in post. It's your photo, no one else's. Take it where you want to take it.
