Black Elk Peak
Aug, 2016Views
360
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Awards
People's Choice in Lord of the Rings inspired Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
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Behind The Lens
Location
This is Black Elk Peak, formally Barney Peak the tallest point in South DakotaTime
Morning light shortly after sunriseLighting
I hiked to the summit in the dark to catch the sunrise, which was totally worth it!Equipment
Sony a99, 24-70 ziess, Lee graduated ND filter and polarizer, gitzo carbon fiber tripod, nodal ninja pano headInspiration
I've done this hike a ton of times but never for sunrise. Being a popular tourist spot I wanted to find a different way to approach it. I was also blessed to have the spot to myself. The flood of selfies and titanic arms take away from the natural beauty of our world.Editing
Not a lot, using filters when composing with hot sunlight allows me to get most of the image in camera, I just stitched the pano together and color corrected.In my camera bag
When I go on the road, I bring everything i, a road case but I have a backpack and shoulder bag to downsize for the shot, I typicall use my 24-70 and filters.Feedback
I feel that the best way to get a great landscape is effort. When I go on the road I plan every morning and evening to not miss a lighting opportunity. If the sky is boring or the lighting is bad try a different day, time, or season in the same location. With big tourist areas that have been photographed many times find a different light, angle, vantage point or anything that will be different and make you image unique. Know your gear too, this is very important. If there is any way to make a photo better or sharper with a better lens, cleaning, filter, better filter, shutter speed, aperture, etc. Most of all just get out there and try!
