Platinum

Paul_Joslin

ALASKA'S AUTUMN COLORS

Alaska's Chugach mountains in Autumn

Alaska's Chugach mountains in Autumn
Read less

Oct, 2018

Views

361

Likes

+61

Awards

People's Choice in Autumnal Panoramas Photo Challenge

Peer Award

+20

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

Magnificent Capture

All Star

Superb Composition

Virtuoso

Superior Skill

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 30 rank week 2

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This autumn photo was taken in the Chugach mountain range in Alaska.

Time

It was mid-afternoon in October. By this time of year the sun is no longer overhead

Lighting

When photographing mountains I often look for low angle side light which we get a lot of in Alaska. It brings out a lot more detail in the trees and rocky relief than does lighting from above.

Equipment

I used a Nikon D80 camera coupled with a Nikkor 18 to 200 mm lens.

Inspiration

The splash of bright yellow autumn color stretching diagonally across a backdrop of craggy mountains on one side and conifer forest on the other made it especially appealing. The light dusting of snow on the craggy mountains helped to convey that feeling that autumn's brilliance was a fleeting moment that would soon be followed by winter.

Editing

I always spend time in post-processing starting with cropping. The yellow color in the photo has been enhanced. Very slight diagonal vignetting has also been done to further draw attention to the diagonal streak of autumn color cutting across the frame.

In my camera bag

I use a sling bag to make it possible to remove the camera quickly if necessary. It contains a Nikon D500 with an 18 to 300 mm lens, a few extra batteries, SD cards, and lens cleaner. I have removed most of the protective liner replacing it with a gardener's knee pad which serves both as protection for the camera and as something to sit, kneel or lie on when taking some photos. Sometimes I will carry an external flash in the bag either for night shots or to serve as a fill flash in the daytime. Occasionally I will bring along a carbon fiber tripod if I think I may be taking some long exposure pics.

Feedback

While included in this landscape photo, often I will incorporate something in the foreground on one side to change the picture from appearing flat to one that has a lot of depth. Often I will look for diagonal lines within the frame and have the close-up item appear on the line so as to have the viewer’s eye start there and sweep across the frame towards the scene in the background. Portrait mode generally works better in this instance than does landscape mode.

See more amazing photos, follow Paul_Joslin

Paul_Joslin

Paul_Joslin

ALASKA'S AUTUMN COLORS

Alaska's Chugach mountains in Autumn

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Paul_Joslin

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.