Carmel-Highlands-Sunset_00001_PPW
I spent a week at Carmel Highlands CA, and watched a number of stunning sunsets, but this particular night had an unusual combination of clouds that dramaticall...
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I spent a week at Carmel Highlands CA, and watched a number of stunning sunsets, but this particular night had an unusual combination of clouds that dramatically enhanced the show.
D810 with 24-120 f-4 VR lens at 120 mm, f-8, 1-80, ISO 720. Processed in PSCS6 Extended with Picture Postcard Workflow.
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D810 with 24-120 f-4 VR lens at 120 mm, f-8, 1-80, ISO 720. Processed in PSCS6 Extended with Picture Postcard Workflow.
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Jan, 2018Views
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Awards
People's Choice in Clouds Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Emotions
Impressed
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Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands resort in California from the glass-covered observation deck of the main building.Time
It was the start of sunset, but I continued to shoot images until the blue hour.Lighting
As the sunset over the water, it backlit a cloud formation, that consisted of multiple little stacked clouds that covered a deep blue sky that gradually turned a yellow-orange as you approached the water.Equipment
I took this image with my Nikon D810 DSLR mounted with a 24-120 f/4 VR f mount lens, which was my go-to travel lens. The settings were 120 mm, f/8, 1/80, ISO 720, handheld, manual mode.Inspiration
Each night we stayed at the Hyatt, we saw spectacular sunsets, but this one was really special. For one the cloud formation consisted of multiple stacks of small clouds that were backlit by the sun. The sky, up high, was deep blue and it gradually turned bright yellow as you approached the ground. I have never seen a cloud formation like this before and its beauty was breathtaking.Editing
At the time I was using PSCS6 extended with the Picture Postcard (PPW) panel. This allows me to work in LAB space and take advantage of automated actions that consist of hundreds of steps to bring out the very best color and sharpness that my RAW NEF can produce.In my camera bag
While I still have the 24-120 f/4 VR F mount lens, I have sold my DSLR and most of my F mount lenses and moved to a mirrorless Nikon Z7 with an FZ adapter. So my bag now contains a 24-70 f/4 S lens, a 14-40 f/4 S lens, a 300 mm f/4 PF f mount lens, a 70-200 f/2.8 VR F mount lens. I have a 105 mm f/2.8 S macro lens on order. I have also kept a 16 mm fisheye, and a few manual focus AIS lenses as well.Feedback
Ideally, you would shoot without glass in front of you but sometimes you don't have a choice, so your goal is to avoid reflections. Set your camera to an f stop that will allow you to keep the scene in focus from front to back. Keep your ISO as low as practical and set a shutter speed that allows you to handhold without shaking. Since I was in a public place a tripod was not an option, as other people were taking pictures with phones or other cameras and a tripod becomes a hazard. I shoot in manual mode with auto ISO this allows me to set the f stop and shutter speed I want and the auto ISO takes care of light changes go on during the sunset. If you have VR or in-camera stabilization, use it especially if you are using a telephoto lens. K
