Rainbow over the Blue Ridge
Photo (c) Jeffrey DeCristofaro 2019.
Photo (c) Jeffrey DeCristofaro 2019.
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NIKON D7100
Aperture 100/10 ISO 200 Shutter 10/3200 Focal Length 200/10 
Asheville, North Carolina, US
May, 2019Views
1936
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Awards
Action Award
Peer Award
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Magnificent Capture
Top Choice
Superb Composition
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
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Behind The Lens
Location
From an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway headed towards Mt. Pisgah and Brevard from Asheville. I always wanted to capture an epic shot of a rainbow with the mountains in the background and in 2019, with patience and timing, my wish was granted.Time
During the afternoon. I was checking the weather and when I saw from the radar forecast that the storm would be heading east with the sun in the opposite direction, I took my chance and rushed out to capture the rainbow while it was still wholly visible.Lighting
I usually prefer natural light unless I'm working in a studio. The sunlight was perfect for this since it was shining from above and behind me, allowing for rich colors in the rainbow and a more fully detailed background, including the peak ridges of the mountains.Equipment
Nikon D7100 with a Nikkor 18-35mm lens and a Manfrotto Tripod.Inspiration
I was always fond of paintings that showed a wide scale, rich details in both the foreground and background, and the right amount of light and shades, and so I wanted to capture a scene that would have those particular components. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer countless possibilities in that regard, and this is one such example.Editing
I merely toned down the highlights, removed as many dust spots I could spot, sharpened the image to the right level of crispness, and slightly increased color saturation, showing as much as I could in both the foreground and background while trying to maintain the original raw look of the scene.In my camera bag
Usually two cameras, one being a Nikon DSLR to capture both video and stills, with batteries and SD cards, and a tripod strapped to the side. I usually have the base plate fastened to the camera in advance so I can bolt it to the tripod to capture shots and video in as short a time as possible.Feedback
Planning, total familiarity with your surroundings and timing in regards to weather are key to capturing a shot like this.
