Stormy Fields
This was the result of aimlessly driving around with a camera in my car. Not a huge backstory, just a random observation....
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This was the result of aimlessly driving around with a camera in my car. Not a huge backstory, just a random observation.
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May, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo a few miles east of Portland, Oregon. It was just a random field a spied while driving.Time
I had just finished a hike and it was getting stormy looking, but I wasn't in a hurry to get home, so I was watching the clouds roll in along the way. The sun was getting low, and in Oregon it sets about 4:30 in January, so this pic was taken at about 3:45 or so. Our days are short and grey!Lighting
I like to let the sky provide the lighting effects. being later in the day, the sun was at a great angle to hide itself, yet light up the clouds and the spaces in between. There was an amazingly black storm cloud to the left of the photo out of frame, and the contrast between the dark and the lit clouds was striking. I couldn't get more of it in without disturbing the framing, but I love the way it worked out.Equipment
This was a simple photo to take, as I just parked on the road and stepped out of my car! I used a Nikon D7000 with a Sigma 50 mm 1.4 Art series lens set at 2.8.Inspiration
I think what really struck me was the color of the field. I was so focused on the clouds and sky, I was almost shocked when my gaze went to ground level and I saw the golden rows. The contrast against the dark clouds was so beautiful to me that I had to turn my car around and go back!Editing
I do very little post processing, actually. I play with contrast, exposure, and maybe a little color adjustments. I turned down the clarity a bit, some noise reduction, and done. I do everything in Lightroom.In my camera bag
My trusty Nikon D7000, and sometimes a Brownie! My lenses vary, as I do a lot of different types of photography. For night time, my Rokinon 16mm for taking pics of the Milky way, sometimes a Rokinon 8mm fisheye for fun. My most used daytime lenses are the ever present 18-200 kit lens, and my Sigma 50mm 1.4. The kit lens is a most versatile tool, and I probably use it more than any other. I have a nice collection of other lenses, but these are my friends. I also carry ND filters, and a cable shutter release. You never know when you might want to play with long exposures!Feedback
Let the sky guide you! Don't stay home when the weather is cloudy or stormy, as these can be the best conditions for interesting light. Look for even the smallest bits of vibrant colors against the grey, and exploit them. I was looking for shots in the woods that day, and found something entirely different! Look for the beauty all around, and because you don't get what you want, don't shut your eyes to what else is there. It could make your day.
