Echoes
Dec, 2017Views
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Contest Finalist in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 4
Contest Finalist in Streams In Nature Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Depth In Nature Photo Contest
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Winner in winter waterfalls Photo Challenge
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in winter, standing in a stream at Cwm Sere, which is a valley at the foot of Cribyn and Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales.Time
I had reached the valley for sunrise hoping to capture the dawn light hitting the snow covered slopes of the mountains. Unfortunately there was too much cloud for anything spectacular, only a subtle pink glow as the sun rose. As a plan B I decided to explore the valley and follow the stream looking for interesting compositions.Lighting
I didn't get the morning light I had hoped for and in fact the photo was taken in quite overcast conditions.Equipment
The photo was taken on a tripod with my Canon 1300D and a wide angle lens (Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6). I used a Hoya Neutral Density filter to capture a long exposure for a blurred water effect. My camera settings were f8, ISO100, 10mm with a 1 second exposure.Inspiration
I was drawn to this composition by the direction of this part of the stream pointing towards the peak of Cribyn. The large boulders in the stream in the foreground have created a small channel for the water to flow through, forming a small cascade and some strong leading lines that lead the viewer's eye along the stream and up to the mountain in the background. I also liked the relationship between the shapes of the water in the foreground and the shape of the mountain in the background, hence the title "Echoes".Editing
I always shoot in raw to allow maximum flexibility when editing. After some initial exposure adjustments in Lightroom, I began editing in Photoshop, first boosting the contrast in the water. Next I added some glow to the image overall and a high pass filter to increase sharpness in some areas. I used some colour grading to enhance the blue tones of the water and shadows. Lastly I made some final levels adjustments and added a vignette.In my camera bag
I always carry 3 lenses in my bag as I'm often visiting new locations and don't necessarily know in advance what I'll need. My favourite lens is the wide angle (Canon EF-S 10-18mm). I also have a telephoto (Canon EF 75-300mm - which is great for picking out smaller compositions within the larger landscape) and a Canon EF-S 18-55mm. I always take my tripod and shutter release cable and a bunch of different Hoya ND filters for long exposures.Feedback
The Brecon Beacons is an amazing area for landscape photography, although the weather can be very unpredictable, so patience is key! As with all national parks there are some popular spots that have been photographed to death. If you're after something unique my advice is to grab a map, pick a spot that's off the beaten track and get out and explore. You never know what you might find!
