Snow Storm Rolling in on Capulin Volcano
I only had a chance to snap a few images before raindrops and snowflakes began falling. The extinct Capulin Volcano stands in the distance, with New Mexico gras...
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I only had a chance to snap a few images before raindrops and snowflakes began falling. The extinct Capulin Volcano stands in the distance, with New Mexico grasses filling the plain in a band of yellow on approach.
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Mar, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This is an image of Capulin Volcano National Monument, in the northeastern corner of New Mexico, looking northwest. I pulled over to the side of the highway and walked a short way into the roadside grasses to capture this image. I pass by the volcano often on my way to visit my son in Boulder, CO and have been to the top several times. You can just see the narrow road bisecting the peak around halfway up its 1,200' in this image.Time
This shot was taken in the late afternoon, around 3 or 4 o'clock as I was traveling to Colorado along highway 87/64. A warm day turned unexpectedly cold as a winter storm rolled over the mountains and plains into New Mexico.Lighting
The lighting is what inspired me to stop and make the image. I was driving along enjoying the yellow grasses of the plain when the storm began rolling up. I watched the mountain for several miles before deciding to stop here, drawn by the contrast between the rich yellow tones shining on the grass and the mountain in shadow beneath the approaching storm front. Just enough clouds were between me and the sun to make this glowing light on the flat space in front of the volcano.Equipment
The laptop which has all the technical for this photo died unfortunately, but I would guess it was on my Sony NEX F3 using the 18-55mm f3.5-5.6.Inspiration
Mostly the lighting and the changing weather were inspirations for this photo. While driving, I could see a dark band of weather on the horizon in the direction of my travel. Checking the weather, it said that a snowstorm lay in my path. As I approached the mountain, I noticed a contrast of the bright afternoon sun near me with the shadow of the clouds in the distance. As I drove, I found a good angle for a shot and decided to pull over and make the image. I was also drawn to the fence line which added interest to the midground. Just minutes into leaving my vehicle, it began to rain and then snow on me, so I was lucky to have stopped when I did. It's funny how little time there is between a good shot and no shot, usually due to changing lighting conditions or a moving subject, but sometimes due to weather. :)Editing
I turned down the highlights and turned up the contrast to give the clouds some definition. I also turned down the clarity to give it a bit of a soft look, then turned up the saturation on the colors just a bit.In my camera bag
I travel for work very often, so I carry all my equipment with me. In my backpack I carry two Sony cameras, an NEX F3 that I bought from ebay, and a Sony Alpha 6000. They are both e mounts, so I can swap out lenses or carry both if the occasion demands it. I have 4 Sony lenses, 18-55mm f3.5-5.6, 16mm f2.8, 55-210mm f4.5-6.3, and 16-50mm f3.5-5.6. I also carry a Fujifilm Instax mini 7S for fun shots and a Promaster tripod.Feedback
For this shot, I guess the best advice is stop and smell the roses. If you see something that you think will potentially make a great image and have the time, then take the shot. I debated whether I should pull over and get this one, but I am glad that I did. Not only just to have the shot, but also for the memory of the day when it occurred. Whether the image turns out to be a good one or not, I think that it is good for the photographic soul to make the attempt. Kind of like, hey I took a chance, and here's the evidence.
