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Behind The Lens
Location
I shot this in Grand Haven, Michigan which is on the western side of the state, right on Lake Michigan. They have some of the most spectacular sunsets there and since my in-laws live there I get many opportunities to shoot there.Time
I started shooting about an hour before sunset because sometimes for me I like the colors of the sky before the sun has already set. This shot in particular was shot right before the sun touched the horizon. There were some clouds starting to streak across the sky so I tried to use them in my timing.Lighting
I am always drawn towards more moodier, darker shots. The richer, deeper the colors, the better. The light was perfect as the clouds started coming in giving it more contrast. The sun was starting to cast a light on the waves as they came in and it also brightened up the sand.Equipment
I used a Nikon D810 with a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. I used a 10-stop Zomei filter to deepen the colors of the sunset. I also used a tripod since I was using a slower shutter speed. I took many photos with and without the filter, but this shot in particular is with the filter.Inspiration
This spot is known for its gorgeous sunsets. The water level came in very high this year, bringing with it a lot of driftwood. There was a contest on Viewbug for driftwood shots, but I had missed it. It inspired me to look for opportunities to incorporate driftwood into some shots.Editing
I did use Lightroom for post-processing of this shot. I used the graduated filter on the water and sand areas to lighten it a bit and one on the sky to deepen it.In my camera bag
Oh gosh, I pack so much stuff. I don't like going somewhere and possibly missing out on a great shot! I carry my D810 with me everywhere I go with my 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, but I also bring a Nikon D500 and a Tamron 150-600 for possible wildlife shots. I also bring a Nikon 105mm Macro lens. I go to a lot of parks and do a lot of hiking, so you never know what you'll see.Feedback
When I am shooting sunsets on the water, I like using as many different exposures as possible. I will take ones with long exposure and ones with short exposure. I'll take them with filters and without filters. I look for texture in the foreground and try to time the water and waves to show reflections of the sun when possible. Wait for clouds if possible. Clouds provide the most spectacular sunsets.