Llyn Padarn Sunset
Dec, 2016Views
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Contest Finalist in The Beauty Of Lakes And Rivers Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Unforgettable Landscapes Photo Contest by Zenfolio
Winner in From dusk till dawn Photo Challenge
Winner in The Great Outdoors Photo Challenge
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on a summer evening during our first vacation to beautiful North Wales. This is Llanberis, Lake Padarn. A gorgeous place to visit and very popular for water sports. We had to wait a while before a triathlon training team and several other kinds of water sports groups had cleared our view.Time
This was taken at sunset at the end of summer last year. The sun actually set behind us for this location.Lighting
To allow for the eye to lead towards the mountains in the background I combined two exposures into one image. The top image is a shorter exposure that my water half, allowing the water to be smoother but also slightly lighter. The longest exposure, the bottom one, was 6 seconds. I also used a 0.9 GND filter.Equipment
This was shot with my preview camera, a Canon 60D with a 10-22mm lens. Given the shutter time of 6 seconds, obviously not by hand but on a tripod :)Inspiration
This is one of the most famous spots in North Wales, this and South Stack probably. But I've not been to many mountainous regions in my life, growing up in the Netherlands (where I still reside) the flatness can become a bore. The great diversity of Wales is awesome, beaches, mountains, cliffs, it pretty much has it all. But this spot, regardless of many times people have photographed it, keeps me intrigued for some reason. When we go back this year I will definitely try it in a different light, at sunrise.Editing
There is post-processing, some basic lens corrections for example to start because the 10-22mm does warp the view somewhat. Due to my use of the 0.9 GND the color didn't really need any work but as stated I did combine two exposures. One reason for that as mentioned before is the water. But the other was my sky. The 6 second exposure made my cloud too blurry which I found to be a shame. This works much better.In my camera bag
I tend to just carry everything on trips like these, I get up early and travel all day when I get time for a photography vacation like this. Up before dawn and won't be back until after the sun has set, visiting several locations during the day. Because of this I carry around my trusted bag full of stuff such my camera, a 60D then, an 80D now. A set of lenses, the Canon 10-22mm, my Canon 17-40mm, a macro 100mm lens and my 70-300mm zoomlens. After all, you never know what you may come across in nature. I also carry a filter wallet with several a polarizer, ND and GND filters, extra batteries and of course I am never without my tripod. For those moments that you may get some water spray, fog or dust of some kind, I also always make sure to carry a proper lens cloth with me. This whole thing may make me look like a pro to most amateurs, but I am just an enthusiast :)Feedback
For this specific location, just don't go during the day, it will be too busy with people practicing water sports. Be patient, wait for the right light and make sure to go at sunrise or sunset. And if at all possible, try spring or fall when the peaks of Snowdonia in the background have a chance to still be covered in snow, I didn't get that chance but it would add an extra dimension to the shot.
