Drachensee, Austria
Drachensee above Ehrwald, Austria at 1910m.
Drachensee above Ehrwald, Austria at 1910m.
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Sep, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was taken in lake Drachensee up in the Ehrwald region of Austria. It is at an altitude of 1910m.Time
It takes some effort to reach this location especially due to the amount of equipment I must bring. First mountain biking and then a hike. This shot was taken in the early afternoon.Lighting
With over-under photography it is essential to have the sun behind or straight above or a bit off to the side. I always plan my shoots with the 'Photographers Ephemeris' app as it defines the positioning of the sun relative to the time of day. I am not using any strobes or artificial lightening of any kind.Equipment
I shoot with a Canon 5d mk iii, 15mm fisheye lens in an Aquatech water housing with a dome port. Being in the cold water requires me to wear a full drysuit with gloves which makes getting to these locations often much more challenging due to the weight of supplies I bring.Inspiration
I grew up in Hawaii and always enjoyed the water and the world that was below the surface. I began doing underwater photography of fish and coral with an underwater film camera back in the day. Later I decided to pursue that interest further and explore the underwater world of alpine lakes. I am always searching for a new location somewhere in the mountains or in the sea. I am currently concentrating on the German, Austrian and Swiss Alps and any interesting mountain lakes I can find and access.Editing
I do some initial processing in Capture One Pro and then if necessary some minor healing work in Photoshop. I try to keep the reality of the shoot whilst embellishing it without pushing it too far. Shooting raw enables you to work with more information. The initial raw image can often be somewhat flat so some amount of processing is always required.In my camera bag
Most important is the checklist sheet I go through the night before. Prepping the underwater housing and camera, charge batteries etc. For these mountain expeditions I always have plenty of food and water! In addition I carry a Bare drysuit with gloves, cap and boots and a full Fourth Element thermal suit underneath. I also use Force Fin Pro fins which go on over my Bare underwater trek boots for maneuvering in the water. My camera setup includes the Canon 5D mk iii, Canon 15mm fisheye lens and an Aquatech Elite housing with 8" dome port. I have a special mat to put the drysuit on. I also have a set of towels for putting the camera kit together before entering the water and to dry the housing after the shoot. Perhaps now you can imagine what my mountaineering pack looks like as I climb up the switchback trail in the hopes of discovering something new.Feedback
Physical fitness is an absolute must because of the challenge of getting to these high altitude locations. I practice a fitness routine which encompasses cycling, running and swimming to prepare me for these shoots. As far as the shoot goes, I find that engaging my curiosity is most important. Remain curious about the scene and act as an underwater explorer. Let the curiosity lead you to something new and never seen before. Also, learning.......there is such much available to us on the internet these days. Watch tutorials, learn and get to know your camera and shoot raw. Also, researching locations..either with google or google earth. Never cease the learning process as it is an exercise for the mind.
