DJLee
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Awards
Chatter Award
Winner in light and colors in nature Photo Challenge
Winner in Yosemite National Park Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 3
Contest Finalist in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 22
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Genius
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bronxie
July 04, 2017
Love the light and reflections as well as the overall beauty of the scene. Great shot
StephenSPotterPhoto
July 07, 2017
What we see here is why they call this Yosemite lake "Mirror Lake." This is the most perfect & inspiring capture thereof I have ever seen.....not a ripple in sight! Superb workmanship here! I dig it!
danicleeland
November 12, 2017
This is beautiful! Why not submit something to my Yosemite National Park challenge?
Aeri
December 07, 2018
Beautiful shot with great composition and details 👍👍👍👍 and congratulations on your challenge win 👏👏👏👏 regards Lokesh Aeri
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken in Yosemite Valley at a popular spot known as Swinging Bridge. But it was early in the morning, and no one else was around. That lent a special serenity to this beautiful place.Time
It was about 6:00 in the morning when I arrived at Swinging Bridge. I had photographed Bridalveil Fall at sunrise from Tunnel View, and then quickly made my way to Swinging Bridge to catch Yosemite Falls in the early morning light. There was a soft pink glow in the air and the sun had risen enough over the mountains to illuminate Yosemite Falls and its reflection in the water. I had to compose my shot fairly quickly because I knew that soon the light would be too harsh and that I would lose the mood. But I have been to this spot several times before and already knew in my mind the shot I wanted to try to get.Lighting
The early morning light in Yosemite Valley is often quite magical, gentle, and soft as it was the morning I took this photograph. But to catch that light, you need to know the path that the sun takes as it spreads light through different parts of the valley. At this spot during the summer months, the magical morning light illuminates the waterfall and trees below shortly after the sun rises over Half Dome and begins to make its journey west.Equipment
I took this photograph using my Nikon D810 and my Nikon 14-24mm f2/8 lens. The camera was mounted on my Gitzo Series 2 travel tripod, which I adore because it is very sturdy and yet fits into my carry on luggage with the ball head removed. To even out the exposure, I used a .6 medium edge Lee graduated neutral density filter.Inspiration
I was inspired to take this photograph at this particular spot and time of day because of the beauty of Yosemite Falls with its reflection in the water. May is peak flow time for the falls in Yosemite and water from the melting snow also fills ponds and rivers that present photographic opportunities not available during other times of the year. There is always some water to catch reflections at the spot I took this photograph, but the area had flooded from rains and snowmelt and that presented a new wealth of reflection opportunities!Editing
I resisted the urge to over-process this image. I could have added more saturation to the pink and blue of the sky, the water in the pond, the trees bathed in early morning light. I could have added more contrast and more dynamic range in post. But I wanted the image to feel natural--gentle, muted, fresh, and serene. So there was minimal post processing--some lifting of shadow from the foreground trees, a bit of cropping on the left side of the image, and other simple adjustments. I go "back and forth" with this image and actually have another version with a bit more pop. But this is the version I decided to post on ViewBug.In my camera bag
My bag is often quite full and can get a bit heavy! I usually carry one camera body (Nikon d810 or d750) and three lenses--a wide angle, my walk around Nikon 24-70mm lens, and a longer zoom. I also usually tuck in either my macro lens or a 50mm, depending on where I am going and what I think I may end up photographing. The bag includes extra batteries and memory cards, lens and camera rain covers, lens cloths, remote shutter release, allen wrenches, cell phone, and snacks (nuts and chocolate). I also carry a pouch with Lee filters.Feedback
First piece of advice: Know the location and know the light. I was able to capture this scene because I had visited the location before and learned when the light was likely to be just right and knew also where I needed to be to frame the image I wanted to make. Second bit of advice: Be persistent. This was not the first time I attempted to capture this image. The weather is fickle--at the same place, same time of day, I've met rain, overcast weather with no interesting light, and brisk wind. But if you are patient and persistent and at the right place at the right time, weather conditions will eventually that delight your camera.