Meteora Sunset
Another amazing capture of a shot I thought had trashed. No way cold I have got this with a single shot, but, I did not want to leave without capturing the scen...
Read more
Another amazing capture of a shot I thought had trashed. No way cold I have got this with a single shot, but, I did not want to leave without capturing the scene I was seeing, so, set the camera up to take a 7 bracketed shot image and process it as an HDR and voila. Taken at Meteora, Thessaly, Greece.
Read less
Read less
Jul, 2017Views
3020
Likes
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Superior Skill
Exceptional Contrast
Virtuoso
Genius
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Top 30 rank
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
Discover more photos See all
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
-
Share to Facebook
-
Share to X
-
Share to WhatsApp
-
Share via Email
Behind The Lens
Location
This image was captured at an amazing UNESCO World Heritage location called Meteora. In Thessaly, Greece. In the middle of the country it is a stunning location to visit.Time
As I had only the one chance to capture the sunset from here I had spent all day, that had clear blue skies throughout photographing the whole area knowing that come sunset I needed to be up on the rocks to capture a truly magical moment.Lighting
The whole thing turned into a nightmare. Right up until about 5 minutes before the sun was due to set some clouds rolled in. Don't get me wrong, a few clouds at sunrise/sunset can really add to a shot but on this occasion I wanted an uninterrupted view of the sun. No chance. As the cloud came in so they started to break, WOW, it was looking spectacular and my earlier disappointment disappeared, time to get on with the job. The contrast was horrific, there was no way I could capture the scene in one frame without making a massive sacrifice to either the foreground or the sky, I would have to pull the rabbit out of the hat to capture this, and so I did. I opted for a program I had set in the camera, taking 7 bracketed shots with a maximum +3/-3 aperture change n the hope I will capture the light from both foreground and background and see how it looks when I merge the images. However I had to wait until I had got back to the UK as I had no editing facilities with me at the time. It was worth waiting for though.Equipment
I was using at the time my now gone but beloved Canon 5D mk3 and the fabulous Canon EF 24-105mm f4.5 lens. Handheld due to constantly moving to capture different angles on some slippery rock.Inspiration
Having visited the same place a few times in recent years the one time I had not taken any shots from the rocks was at sunset. This time, I had to get it. I had seen many a phone shot taken but not so many on a large format camera, this time I wanted my turn, so, I went.Editing
Yes, a lot. As I mentioned I had to take 7 bracketed shots and then merge them into one image for the final result. Trying to capture the scene in one frame just would not have worked due to the intensity of the light from the sun and the whole foreground area being in the shade. I compiled the images in Photomatix 4.6 to get the single image, at each stage pulling out colour and detail without trying to go too far on the saturation. I shoot in a neutral format giving me the option to restore to the images I take the colours as I saw them rather than let the camera decide and possibly add to much colour bias. Once the final image had been compiled I then loaded the image in to Photoshop to fettle with it and finally convert it to a .psd and also large format .jpg file for publishing. Once done it was further converted to a low resolution, copyrighted and resized image for social networks.In my camera bag
I now carry with me a Canon EOS-R5 camera. Lenses: Canon: RF24-105mm f4, RF100mm f2.8 Macro, RF100-500mm f4.5 zoom lens and occasionally a Sigma 14mm f1.8 DG Art for astro or general wide angle shots. I also sometimes carry a Canon EF11-16mm f4 lens for architectural imaging. For flash I have a Canon Speedlight 470EX AI. For long exposure work I use a Benbo "One" tripod along with a Canon programmable wired remote trigger.Feedback
A tough one as it would be all to easy getting caught in the moment and just taking a few single framed shots. I had in earlier years delved into HDR photography and like many made the mistake of going way over the top with some images. That stopped with the Canon 5d mk3 as with full frame it was capturing so much more colour and detail I had no need for HDR anymore. However, it did have a lovely feature whereby you could create a program mode and save it on the camera if ever you needed it, and so I set about making a 7 shot bracketed function that at a flick of the switch I could put it into that mode and use it if need be. This was such and occasion where it was my only hope and it worked a treat. Since then I have set my newer cameras up with exactly the same facility knowing that if need be I can revert to it and hope it gets me some good results. I guess the object here is to learn your camera, learn it well. If it has any functions you do not know off or are unsure how it works try it. Delve into You Tube as there is a wealth of info and advice for most camera makes for you to learn something new or figure how to get more from your camera. At the location take into account the time of day, the amount of light being cast and also, as in my case, potential contrast problems with both high and low light being present. If you do not, or have not used bracketing (HDR) and do not want to that is fine, ask yourself what you want from the shot and work on that alone to get the results you are after. Good luck and more than anything, if at first you do not succeed, keep on trying.
