VB_0330-Neustadt-JAuty-MR2016
Like friends in a field, keeping each other company on this cold winter day.On Grey County Rd. 10 north of Neustadt, ON, Canada...
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Like friends in a field, keeping each other company on this cold winter day.On Grey County Rd. 10 north of Neustadt, ON, Canada
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Mar, 2016Views
5731
Likes
Awards
Contest Finalist in Isolated Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Snow In Black And White Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Winter Wonderland Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in It Is Cold Outside Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Black And White Trees Photo Contest
Member Selection Award
Contest Finalist in Composing with Negative Space Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Clean & Simple Photo Contest
Featured
Contest Finalist in The Four Seasons Photo Contest
Spring Selection Award
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Genius
Virtuoso
Top Ranks
Top 10 rank
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
East side of Grey Road 10, north of Neustadt, Ontario, Canada. Passed by here many times and just had to stop on that heavily overcast winter day. I have also submitted summer pictures when the setting sun shone between large clouds to light up a field of grain in the background. Timing was everything. Sun went behind another cloud and everything changed, but not for the better.Time
Both winter photo and summer version were taken late afternoon. Facing the trees, the sun was setting behind me. The winter photo was in January as snow came later than usual. The summer version was taken in July about 7:30 PM one evening.Lighting
Whenever the skies are clear with large brilliant white cumulus drifting around, you can find a photo almost anywhere. Use of a polarizing filter will whiten the clouds and darken the blue skies. It also removes glare from glass and shinny surfaces including leaves o grasses and trees. Colours will pop! Like early morning light, evening light can enhance your photos. Its angle and colour adds contrast, drama and even a softness. Study light. That is all your camera is sensitive to. Learn to use your camera to capture the best that light has to offer.Equipment
The camera used for the trees was a Canon Rebel XSi with the EF 75-300mm !:4-5.6 III USM. It fits comfortably in my hands and my piano fingers reach all the controls easily. I can see most changes I make in the viewfinder and find controls in sensible positions for ease of use. For tripods, I use the Manfrotto monopod when I need the camera high above me or places I cannot quite reach. My main tripod, used constantly, is a Velbon VS-443D. Came with a ball head, bubble levels and the means to get down very low. The "centre" post is offset a can be placed horizontally for creeping the camera closer or further for accurate macro shots. My equipment is well with its weight limit and its weight is not enough to bog me down on woodland hikes. The legs can work independently and placed in weird positions to get the camera steady in rough places.Inspiration
The dramatic contrast of the barren trees against the white snow first inspired me to stop and take pictures. The heavy overcast skies caused experimentation with exposures to lessen then increase contrast. The overall simplicity was satisfying and pleasing to the eye.Editing
Post processing should not be a given. Do as much as you can up front with focus and exposure. There were a couple of small distractions (probably weeds) that made the photo slightly messy. Just buried them in snow (digitally) in Photoshop. When you do the work in camera, only slight adjustments will be needed to make it a bit better.In my camera bag
My camera bag has the Canon Rebel XSi, EF 75-300mm Zoom lens, EFS 18-55mm lens, Canon 320EX flash with extra batteries, facial tissues and elastic bands (softens flash), Hoodman Loupe (viewing photos of camera screen-especially in bright sun), Canon RS-60E3 shutter release, polarizing filters, UV filters (apply "nose" oil for patterned highlights on bright lights), one size fits all cotton gloves, lens cleaning fluid and cloths, small pump spray bottle of water (mist spider webs/flowers) freezer bags for anything that leaks, large spice bottle of bird seed, large HD garbage bag (fits over camera bag in heavy rain, Minolta angle finder (fit Canon eyepiece), old light meter, small note book, marker, pen and a small adjustable focus flashlight. On the outside is a keyring with an "O"ring to hold a water bottle. There are several velcro reflective arm bands for walking along dark roadways.Feedback
Be visually aware of all your surroundings at all times. Look at lots and lots and lots of photos by other photographers on ViewBug. Judging the work of others while staying focused on what the theme of the challenge/contest. Create a "swipe" file, a collection of photos you like from newspapers and magazines pasted into a scrapbook... just like saving inspirational photos on ViewBug. Sample shots using your smart phone. Very useful for pre-visualizing photos.
