Frosty path
Dec, 2017Views
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Contest Finalist in Isolated Photo Contest
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken at Dyrhólaey, a 120 meter high promontory near the village of Vik in Southern Iceland. The area is windswept and provides gorgeous views of dramatic cliffs, rugged black sand beaches, and the Mýrdalsjökul glacier. The area has been a natural reserve since 1978 and during the season puffins and other bird nest on the cliff faces.Time
I took this photograph at about 10 a.m. It was my final shot of the day from Dyrhólaey. Snow was.beginning to fall and I had already packed up my gear to travel to another destination. But as I walked by this outbuilding--one of only two structures there--I was struck by the way in which the sturdy block building fit into the barren and rugged landscape and so I decided to spend some time photographing it. I loved the way in which the snow covered path led the eye to the structure and beyond and chose that as my composition.Lighting
I was treated to glorious early morning light at Dyrhólaey, but it shifted rapidly as the storm approached. Much of the light was blocked by clouds when I took this photograph, but it was not yet totally overcast and I found the light shining from behind the clouds quite beautiful.Equipment
I always use a tripod for landscape photography. This minimizes camera shake and enables me to focus very carefully. This photo was shot with by Nikon d810 and my 24 to 70 lens at 66mm, f/16, ISO 50, 1/40. Because a light snow was falling, it was important to wipe my lens between each shot, and in Iceland extra large lens cloths are often required!Inspiration
I was struck by the beauty of this rugged landscape, and the sturdy and yet barren building created a sense of isolation and also timelessness. I wanted to capture that feeling.Editing
I shoot in raw and always do some post-processing to bring out some of what a raw file can capture. In this case, I lifted some shadow, added some highlights, and I used the color balance sliders in photoshop to bring out blue shadows and the very slight pinkish cast to the light. I added some contrast and clarity to the snowy path and then applied some sharpening and a soft vignette.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
I was on my way to another location but decided to delay my departure to photograph this outbuilding as a winter storm approached. That kind of flexibility is important in landscape photography, and also a willingness to look around and see what nature is presenting to the human eye. I did not visit this area to photograph a plain looking building but rather the vast vistas from the cliffs. But the scene communicated something of the essence of this isolated and beautiful place and drew me into it with my camera.
