Omarama
Nov, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in New Zealand, somewhere between Omarama and Lindis Valley. I was out exploring in my camper van at the time and happened upon this dramatic scenery.Time
As I recall, it was midday in the New Zealand summer. Usually, this area can expect incredibly hot and dry summers but on this particular day, the weather was uncharacteristically gloomy and a storm was brewing.Lighting
I think that cloudy weather provides the best lighting conditions for photography. It lends drama to the landscape and gives a moody quality to photographs. It can also bring out real depth and contrast to the images.Equipment
I used my Canon 70D with a 17 - 85 mm lens. No tripod was used - the photo was taken handheld.Inspiration
I was out exploring the rugged New Zealand landscape when I took this photograph. When I saw the imposing clouds, the light blue tributaries to the river and the weather worn foliage, I was sure I had found a great spot. What I liked about this shot was the angles of the mountains, the river bank and the gravel road just out of shot.Editing
I edited the photograph using Adobe Lightroom. Firstly I cropped and straightened the image to achieve an interesting composition. I then increased slightly the contrast, minimised the exposure and and adjusted the clarity to bring out a little more detail but I retained the smoothness in the clouds by reducing the white balance. I tried to avoid making the photograph too vibrant and colourful so that I could capture the volatility and drama of the scene.In my camera bag
As always, I pack my Canon 70D and my trusty 17 - 85mm Canon lens. I do not have a whole lot of kit, but the few items I do have really work for me. I bought the Camera from new but I picked up my favourite lens from a second hand camera store, renovated and with a full bill of health. It has not let me down yet! I also carry my 75 - 300mm zoom lens, mainly for capturing wildlife that I might not be able to get close to, though I didn't use it for this shot. I do have a tripod, which is useful for taking photographs in low light conditions. Next on my wish list is a macro lens so that I can start exploring the insect world.Feedback
I am going to pass on some advice that was given to me by another photographer and that was to always carry your camera with you wherever you go. You never know what you might see and external factors such as weather can be unpredictable. This is particularly relevant if you enjoy photographing wildlife and you are, for instance, on a road journey through the mountains or countryside. You never know when you might spot a bear cub (depending upon where you are, of course). One of my favourite photography moments was when I photographed a Great Grey Owl at lunch time in Banff National Park, whilst I was riding as a passenger in a car. Whilst it was special to have spotted the owl at all, it was even more unusual to see the owl in the day time brazenly hunting its lunch. The owl was not at all bothered by my presence and remained perched on a tree branch for some time, which meant that I even had time to swap my lens round and take a snap before it flew off!
