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Mitchell Lake

Mitchell Lake



Mitchell Lake at Brainard Lake Recreation Area in Colorado

Mitchell Lake at Brainard Lake Recreation Area in Colorado
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cameraNIKON D750

settings Aperture f/11 ISO 100 Shutter 1/25 Focal Length 150/10 

upload_dateMay, 2017

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937

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Awards

Contest Finalist in Game Of Flares Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Tall Trees Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Gorgeous Rivers Photo Contest
Peer Award
wimpiemaartens photogijoe Dyer6119 JGMorlan karlbmc LaSheaW subratadas_3501 +77
Absolute Masterpiece
Palominolady Marmot56 chuckmyer Paul_Joslin carlyterry MarleLew Shooter70 +10
Superb Composition
JTello davidgerhartz maryaniatmosuwarno edwardlrose cohooper michellebarnes IMIKEMEDIA +9
Top Choice
gaylesolis dondurante WoodRoadPhotos sirghegabrielvlad terryacregan-leidigh stevelemke pietnel +6
Magnificent Capture
brendaforsey ritafayeadams efimbirenbaum ResQgeek tazzzer62 FrancoisHorne AZPhotos +4
Outstanding Creativity
CURUTCHET darylchamlee ChrisHPhotos ChrisLillie whitedeer
All Star
LucyCMorr ivanfurman Eddieuuu071 DocTom kathyzeckser
Genius
730popper
Superior Skill
Dacemac
Virtuoso
mcampi

Emotions

Impressed
chuckmyer

Submitted to Photo Contests

Top ClassTM

Game Of Flares Photo ContestTop 10 class
Game Of Flares Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Tall Trees Photo ContestTop 20 class
Tall Trees Photo ContestTop 20 class week 1
World Photography Day Photo Contest 2018Top 10 class
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World Photography Day Photo Contest 2018Top 10 class week 2
World Photography Day Photo Contest 2018Top 10 class week 1
Depth In Nature Photo ContestTop 10 class
Depth In Nature Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Anything Water Photo ContestTop 10 class
Anything Water Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
2K Sunsets Photo ContestTop 20 class
Everything Nature Photo ContestTop 10 class
Happiness In Color Photo ContestTop 30 class
Everything Nature Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Gorgeous Rivers Photo ContestTop 10 class
The Talent AwardsTop 30 class
Zen Photo ContestTop 10 class
Zen Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Flares 101 Photo ContestTop 10 class
Flares 101 Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Our Natural Planet Photo ContestTop 10 class
Our Natural Planet Photo ContestTop 20 class week 1
Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest v3Top 10 class
ViewBug Photography AwardsTop 10 class
ViewBug Photography AwardsTop 10 class week 1
Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest v3Top 10 class week 3
Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest v3Top 10 class week 2
Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest v3Top 20 class week 1
Magnificent Canyons Photo ContestTop 20 class
Magnificent Canyons Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Fish Eye And Wide Angle Photo ContestTop 10 class
Composing With Rule Of Thirds Photo ContestTop 10 class
Fish Eye And Wide Angle Photo ContestTop 20 class week 1
Composing With Rule Of Thirds Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Amazing Nature Photo ContestTop 10 class
Amazing Nature Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Natural Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 class
World Photography Day Photo ContestTop 10 class
World Photography Day Photo ContestTop 10 class week 2
Natural Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 class week 2
World Photography Day Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Natural Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
The Horizon And Compositions Photo ContestTop 10 class
The Horizon And Compositions Photo ContestTop 10 class week 2
Rugged Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 class
The Horizon And Compositions Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Rugged Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 class week 2
Compositions 101 Photo Contest vol3Top 10 class
Compositions 101 Photo Contest vol3Top 10 class week 2
Rugged Landscapes Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Compositions 101 Photo Contest vol3Top 10 class week 1
Symmetry In Nature Photo ContestTop 20 class
Symmetry In Nature Photo ContestTop 20 class week 3
Remote Places Photo ContestTop 10 class
Symmetry In Nature Photo ContestTop 10 class week 2
Remote Places Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Symmetry In Nature Photo ContestTop 10 class week 1
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 22Top 10 class
Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 8Top 10 class
Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 8Top 10 class week 2
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 22Top 10 class week 2
Covers Photo Contest Vol 38Top 10 class
Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 8Top 10 class week 1
Covers Photo Contest Vol 38Top 10 class week 1
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 22Top 10 class week 1
1 Comment | Report
Neckbone
 
Neckbone April 18, 2018
Great shot! Congrats!

Same photographer See all

Bearly a Kiss Long Shadow Head in the Clouds Mitchell Lake at Brainard Lake Recreation Area in Colorado If you look real closely into the owl's pupil, you can see the reflection of a group of goofy photographers standing around staring into the... Denver Union Station

Behind The Lens

Location
Mitchell Lake is a high-altitude lake located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, accessible from the Mitchell Lake Trailhead within Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Mitchell Lake sits at 10,500 ft in elevation.
Time
This is one of my favorite shots even after 3 years. We hiked about a mile to get to this spot in the early evening in late September. We started our afternoon with a leisurely drive along the Peak-to-Peak highway while doing some fall leaf peeping, then ended our day at Brainard Lake Recreation for a hike. After hiking the mile to Mitchell Lake, we stopped and took in the scenery. As we were getting ready to turn back and head down the trail to our car, I noticed that the sun had started peaking out between two trees on the far shore of the lake. I took my camera back out of my bag and got out my wide-angle lens so that I could capture this beautiful scene.
Lighting
Since it was getting close to sunset, the sun was casting a beautiful warm glow on the whole landscape. The challenge here was not over-exposing the scene because I was pointing the camera directly toward the sun. I wanted to try to get a sun flare, so I set up my exposure with a narrow aperture and a wide focal length not only to capture as much of the scene as possible but also to help produce the lovely sun flare. I also wanted to keep from underexposing the trees and shadows too much.
Equipment
I was hiking pretty light, so I had brought along my Nikon D750, my Tamron 15-30mm, and the kit lens for my camera, the Nikkor 24-120mm.
Inspiration
This photo was not planned, I had just brought my camera along to capture what I saw and was just lucky to be at this spot at the right time to catch the sun peaking through the trees and casting a nice warm glow across the landscape.
Editing
I did light post-processing to this photo. I brought up the shadows in the darker areas and toned down the highlights in the lighter areas to help bring the photo closer to what I saw with my own eye. I also added a touch of contrast, vibrance and sharpening, then I warmed the white-balance a bit to reflect the warm glow of the sun and the colors of fall.
In my camera bag
I keep my trusty Nikon D750 with me practically everywhere I go along with at least two lenses. One wide angle zoom lens and one telephoto zoom lens. This way I have a lot of options when opportunities present themselves. If I have specific goals for the day, I'll bring other gear including a tripod, remote shutter release, a polarizing filter, an ND filter, and I try not to forget the water! Photography can keep me hyper-focused and if I don't have a bottle of water within reach, I'll forget to keep hydrated.
Feedback
A lot of photography is about being at the right place at the right time. So getting out there with your camera is key! Take lots of photos and take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes. I also recommend carrying a polarizing filter. It comes in handy on bright sunny days to help tone down the brightness of the sky or cut the glare from water and other reflective surfaces. I didn't have one with me on this particular day, but it sure would have helped!

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