The Valley of Two Lakes
Glendalough - a well known glacial lake in County Wicklow, Ireland.
Glendalough - a well known glacial lake in County Wicklow, Ireland.
Read less
Read less
Mar, 2016Views
288
Likes
Awards
Action Award
Member Selection Award
Spring Selection Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Peer Award
Top Ranks
Top 20 rank week 1
Top 30 rankTop 30 rank week 2Top 30 rank week 1
Top 20 rank week 1Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at Glendalough - a well known glacial valley in County Wicklow, Ireland. The area is quite mountainous, so we had to hike up to this incredible spot. I really love how still the lake was... It was an icy cold winter day in Wicklow, and I thought the crispness of the air was captured nicely.Time
This photo was taken at 3:15pm. Haha it's a good thing the camera stores that information because things always seem to blend together when you're on holiday. This particular photo was taken on the 28 December 2008, and I do actually remember the event quite well, as it was one of the coldest days we'd experienced on our trip to Ireland. There was this icy mid-afternoon wind whipping against our faces as the thin, glacial air burned through our lungs while we hiked. Imagine the feeling of stopping to get a break and some air at this spectacular view point, only to have your breath taken away by it's magnificence.Lighting
The sun was just starting to sink in the sky when this was taken. So the natural light was beautiful. This photo is all about the silhouettes and reflections. That was all the work of the setting, winter sun.Equipment
This photo was shot on my dad's Canon EOS 450D with the standard 18-55mm lens. I didn't use the flash as the natural light was great. I have a habit of stealing my dad's camera whenever we go on holiday haha. My own camera is just a little point and shoot, so his one is a lot more fun! I'm still just an amateur photographer... learning about composition and lighting and all that jazz from all of you great folks! That's why I love this website. I learn a lot every time I'm on here.Inspiration
Well, we had stopped to take a break from our hike, and the glassy surface of the lake was just so beautiful and surreal. When I took the first photo, I hadn't intended to capture the reflection. But when I noticed how symmetrical and perfect it was, I decided to try and make it a feature of the photo. It was fascinating to me that the reflection allowed me to flip my camera upside down and see an almost identical image - eerie and totally bewildering! So thats how I ended up capturing this particular image. It was a really special scene that we happened to come across. What a beautiful stroke of luck!Editing
I think I just corrected the warmth a bit, and increased the contrast of the photo... ever so slightly! The original image is only fractionally different from this edited one. I doubt anyone but me would even notice the difference. I like to keep my photos as close to the original as possible where I can. My aim is to take photos that don't need much post processing. If I can achieve that, I'll be happy with my progress as an amateur photographer.In my camera bag
I'm a proper amateur photographer! So usually I only have my own little Canon PowerShot SX700 HS with me. Literally anyone could take a great photo with this camera... all you have to know is where to point! I do love it though... I've only had it for a short time and it's served me well thus far. If I'm not using that, then I'm taking photos with my dad's Canon EOS 450D. He has a lovely zoom lens as well, so that goes in the bag too whenever his camera comes out to play. Otherwise, I take photos with my iPhone. I know that might sound obscene to some of the incredible photographers out there, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! I'm still a student... so I can't wait to be earning a proper salary so I can supplement this photography habit that I'm rapidly developing (hahaha excuse the pun) with proper equipment. Even when I do start earning money, I've no doubt that this hobby of mine will keep me poor :DFeedback
Well this image is tricky to recapture as the conditions have to be just right. I would work best if it's a few hours before or after midday (so the sun has to be at the correct angle to get the reflection in the water... if it's directly overhead, it won't work). Also, there has to be zero wind. You want the water to be absolutely still in order to capture the reflection so perfectly. You'll notice there is a slight ripple in the water in the bottom, right corner of the image (from my little brothers skipping pebbles on the lake probably hahaha)... that's what you will get if the water isn't totally still. But also, remember there is perfection in imperfection. The rocks, and the little ripples add character and interest.
