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Whispering Woods
If you listen very closely on a foggy morning in the woods, you will hear the whispers of the water and trees inviting you to come in and dream....
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If you listen very closely on a foggy morning in the woods, you will hear the whispers of the water and trees inviting you to come in and dream.
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Mar, 2019Views
843
Likes
Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 22
Spring 21 Award
Legendary Award
Judge Favorite
Contest Finalist in Fog In Nature Photo Contest
Celebrity Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Top Ranks
Top 30 rank
Top 30 rank
Top 30 rank
Top 20 rank week 1
Top 20 rank
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on my property in Southern Ohio. I have a creek that winds through the woods. It is a very peaceful and inviting place to be.Time
This photo was taken at dawn, during late fall. I remember waking up and looking outside, seeing the dense fog out the window. I poured a freshly brewed cup of coffee and savored the warm rich flavor for a moment. Usually I sit down with my coffee and take time to wake up. But the view out the window was just too inviting. I grabbed my camera, put my coffee in a travel mug and threw my jacket on. As I stepped out of my house, the air was very damp with a chill in the air, and the sun was starting to rise. The fog was settled against the earth, creating a mystical invitation to enter, look and listen. I decided to go towards the woods, because it was all just too perfect..,complete with the smell of wet leaves and wooded paths. I didn't have to wander far before I came upon to this view. I just stopped and closed my eyes, listening to the quiet whispers of the forest and creek. Then I started snapping shots.Lighting
The lighting was tricky, because I wanted to capture the beauty of the forest along with the veil of fog. The sun was not shining very bright, and the woods mixed with the fog created a rather drab, gray atmosphere. By this time of year, the leaves had fallen from the trees, and the beautiful colors of fall were on the ground. I wished the sun would be able to peek between the trees, and cast a bit of shimmer on the creek. I experimented with many different settings and angles. Being the amateur that I am, this is how I have learned the most. Snapping lots and lots of photos. And I'll be honest...I was not very impressed or excited about this photo at the time. In fact, it sat on my camera's memory card for several months. What inspired me to go back and take another look, was the Fog In Nature photo contest by Viewbug.Equipment
I have a Canon EOS Rebel T5. As I recall at the time I did not use a flash or a tripod, but just used a steady hand and tried not to breath as I snapped the photo!Inspiration
My inspiration can be so many things, but beauty in Nature is always a magnet that grabs my attention. There is an endless supply of beautiful scenarios, just waiting to be captured in this world. Most of them are every day things, that we take for granted. We may look, but don't really "see". In this case, I loved the combination of forest, fog and water with the backdrop of a sunrise. It made me think of a picture that might be displayed on someone's living room wall above their couch! As I listened to the Whispering Woods, I got lost in the moment, and I wanted to preserve it. I enjoy sharing these moments with whoever might enjoy them too.Editing
I did do some editing with this photo. Mostly adjustments with contrast and color. I wanted the photo to "lure" the viewer in, and make them want to step into the photo. I lowered the contrast just enough to make the fog more pronounced, brought up the highlights and increased the color saturation to bring out the fall colors. I also placed a filter layer on it to give it a more rusty color which also added color to the sky. Finally I framed it with a Vignette and adjusted the opacity to blend it into the photo so that it would help draw one's eyes into the photo. For a finished look I ran it through Noiseless using a very light setting to smooth out the pixels and give it a richer appearance without losing definition.In my camera bag
I have my Canon EOS Rebel T5 along with 3 lenses-- 50mm, 18-55mm & 75-300mm in my bag. I also carry a battery charger, an extra battery, an external flash with diffuser, along with cleaning cloths, and a variety of odds and ends, like memory cards, baggies, and possibly a granola bar! (Sometimes I forget to eat when I'm really into shooting!)Feedback
My advice to capture something like this is to plan ahead, and rise early. I am very fortunate to have this beautiful scene right in my back yard, but most people don't. So you need to find a place to go and allow plenty of time to get there and set up. When capturing the fog, there is only a small window of time because once the sun gets up high enough, it dissipates. Watch weather reports and pay attention to situations that create fog in nature. Wipe your camera lens often!! Moisture on it can ruin an otherwise great shot. Pay attention to lighting, shadows, and backgrounds. Take lots of photos, try different settings, and just get lost in the magic of it. Don't get discouraged if you're not satisfied with what you have at first! Take it home, pull it up on the computer, and have another look. It's amazing what a little tweaking and editing can do to make a photo go from average to great, even if you don't have expensive equipment. Your photo just might end up as a finalist in a Viewbug contest or even a winner! Enjoy the process of learning and growing in your art. There is always "Joy in the Journey"!!
