Three Sister's Beauty
Amazing golden hour image of Three Sister's in Canmore Alberta, Canada. Water is perfectly clear while the sun lighting up the peaks of the mountain. A pla...
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Amazing golden hour image of Three Sister's in Canmore Alberta, Canada. Water is perfectly clear while the sun lighting up the peaks of the mountain. A place to visit when you're heading to Canadian Rockies.
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May, 2017Views
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Awards
Top Shot Award 21
Summer 2020
Featured
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
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Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
All Star
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Genius
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
Policeman Creek is nestling in the heart of Canmore, Alberta Canada. A hidden spot where you can see the view of Three Sisters and other mountain peaks.Time
It was late spring last year and just perfect timing to hunt some open lake or pond to get the reflection for a sunrise trip. Woke up 4 in the morning to catch the sunrise in Canmore. While driving Banff to Canmore I saw the stars shining clearly, means no clouds on the horizon. Sunrise scheduled at 5:30 in the morning, arrive in the parking lot at 4:45 am and start trekking going to location until I reach the spot at 5 am. While setting up my camera, noticed few clouds rolling from the west going east and the way I visualized the location comes to a reality. It was one of the best sunrises I ever had since I started my landscape photography a couple years ago.Lighting
I guess the only way you get a good light goes outside and chase it. If you are new to the location, do a research online lots of material to use. Know where the sun is rising or setting down and the position of the mountain you will photograph. Know your capabilities of photographing during golden hour, if you are the person wants to photograph directly from the sun or you are the type of photographer wants to chase the alpenglow, like me meaning your photographing the mountain peaks where the sun is rising or setting down behind me. So when you go home you don't have regrets that you missed the good light because you have blown out or to much shadow on the image you took.Equipment
I used Nikon D810 with Nikon 16-35mm F4 with Kase Filter 100mm System ND64 ( 10 stop solid ND) and GND8 (3 stop soft GND). The choice of filter is really important to me. To secure and protect the front of the lens and no color casting effect on the image and Kase filter does it all with shock, dust, water, and oil resistant. Benro Travel Angel is my to go tripod attached with L bracket. It can split almost to the ground to get the low angle perspective and get more creative composition. I am photographing in some place that photographers heaven and found most of the time, saw a photographer having a hard time to compose on his/her photograph because of the capability of their tripod and ball head. Most of the time they can't make it to the composition they want because of the center column is too long, the ball head is so tight and didn't function well or tripod legs cant support enough the weight of the camera in certain position. But Benro Travel Angel works perfectly fine in all circumstances that I mentioned above.Inspiration
Since I started my landscape photography journey, I was aiming for an image of Three Sisters in Canmore with perfect reflection during golden hour. I start browsing the internet from a different location around the town. During my research, I came across the name Policeman Creek and start looking for the GPS and coordinates. The first mission is failed, trying to do some bushwacking and end up in Bow River. The second try, I started in the boardwalk in town and end up in the garbage depot of Town of Canmore. The chance of photographing is this specific spot is getting smaller. I started asking a question on my photogs friend but they haven't been in the location. Try to drive around the town looking for the position of Three Sisters and where it facing finally got a vision where is sat. After 2 long months of hunting and looking in the GPS and internet, finally, I found it and I never stop photographing it until I got the right light which is the image above. It was a nice feeling and connect the nature while photographing the sunrise.Editing
Post processing is the most critical stage of how I did my images. It represents my self every time I create my images. I used Photoshop CC, Adobe Camera Raw, and Nik Software. I don't have a formal training, workshop or schooling in my photography and for the past few years Youtube is my best to go if want to learn something new in my workflow.In my camera bag
Before planning for sunrise/sunset trip I always check my camera bag a night before. I'll make sure that all my gear is ready, charge and clean. Nikon D810 with Nikon 16-35mm F4, Kase Filter Kit, 2 spare battery, 4 sd cards, shutter release cable, tripod and ball head, headlamps, bear spray, cleaning kit supplies and most of all shower cups. All of this put it in my Rotation180° Mindshift Gear. I always bring my rubber boots just in case I need to get on the water. Make sure you have a water and little bit of cookies so you have something while waiting for the golden hour.Feedback
Canadian Rockies is a photographer paradise for sure. Take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill nothing but time. Weather can be changed in a minute, be prepared what mother nature throws to you. And most of all enjoy what you doing and experience the beauty of nature. Keep shooting everyone and see you on the lake.
