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Birds at sunset

These are two birds on "booby rock" in the Galapagos at sunset

These are two birds on "booby rock" in the Galapagos at sunset
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NIKON D3100

settings

Aperture 28/5 ISO 400 Shutter 1/4000 Focal Length 86/1

upload_date

Jul, 2016

Views

396

Likes

+13

Awards

Cool Capture

Superb Composition

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

Top Choice

Peer Award

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank week 1

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Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo on a trip I took to the Galapagos. I had always wanted to go there, and bought myself my first DSLR for the trip. I took this photo a few days in when we were out on the water between islands for this beautiful sunset.

Time

This was one of my favourite photos from this particular day of my trip. We had been to two islands in the Galapagos already, and had headed out to a small rock our captain called "Booby Rock" because of all the masked boobies that congregated there. We arrived just as the sun was setting, and I managed to snap this shot as the sun was ducking into the clouds above the horizon.

Lighting

The sky was so orange, and I loved the way the birds on the rock looked silhouetted from the back-lighting. Our boat had been going around this rock, and I remember going to the bow to get the just right angle so the sun would be reflected on the water and the foreground would be a silhouette.

Equipment

This was taken on a Nikon D3100 with a 55-200mm f/4-5.6G lens

Inspiration

I was excited to shoot all the nature and landscapes I could while I was on this trip in the Galapagos, and something about the way these two birds were sitting with the gorgeous sunset happening behind them just spoke to me.

Editing

I actually didn't do a whole lot to this image. I cropped it a bit and made some small adjustments to the shadows, brightness, and contrast.

In my camera bag

I recently upgraded to a Nikon D7200, which I love. I've got an 18-140 Nikkor lens that lives on the camera, and is what I usually use. I've got a 70-300mm Nikkor lens that has proven its worth for longer range, and I always make sure I've got it on hand when I think I may want to shoot something that isn't right in front of me. I also am completely in love with my 35mm prime Nikkor lens. I can't think of a time the photos I've taken on that haven't turned out beautifully.

Feedback

This photo was honestly a very spur of the moment capture. Being on a boat in open ocean, I didn't really know what sort of weather and seas I would be encountering. I was also completely new to my camera at this stage. So my advice would be to snap a picture, check your settings, make whatever adjustments you think you need, and snap some more. While you can do a bit with cropping, I always think framing the photo right the first time is key, and other adjustments can be made later. If you want good sunset photos, practice! Learn what settings you need and like for your camera, and don't forget to check in with your shots as you go.

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asyer

asyer

Birds at sunset

These are two birds on "booby rock" in the Galapagos at sunset

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow asyer

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