dvearrier

DSCI3045x.JPG

MN35Z

Aperture f/4.4 ISO 125 Shutter 10/12500 Focal Length 8400/100

upload_date

Feb, 2020

Views

102

Likes

Awards

Curator's Selection

2020 Choice Award

Peer Award

Superb Composition

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

See all

Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

Taken from the balcony of my hotel at Virginia Beach, VA predawn early December 2017 with a Nikon D3200 with a stock lens.

While walking the wooded area near my home looking for fall themed subjects, this young cardinal became curious about me and allowed this time to obse

These two Great Dane siblings (sister and brother) were recently adopted by our daughter, Angela. They have added more excitement to the household th

IMG_20180115_115954554_BURST000_COVER_TOPx1

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo of Sierra Blanca Peak was taken shortly after leaving Alamogordo, NM on Highway 54 as we drove along the Lincoln National Forest on January 13, 2020.

Time

We had broke camp early that morning in order to allow extra time for stopping along the way to Eager, AZ to take pictures. This peak came into view within an hour of our departure. At about 11:00 AM, I stopped for the shot as I saw a flock of birds heading across the view of the mountain.

Lighting

It was a brilliant, clear day. Lots of natural light.

Equipment

On this trip I used a Minolta, model MN35Z, which features a 35x Optical Zoom lens with Image Stabilization for shooting long distances. I had it mounted on a Canon Monopod 100.

Inspiration

I grew up in the plains of South Dakota and worked most of my life in Washington, DC., so snow-capped mountains are an unusual and exciting sight. I had visited Alamogordo on several occasions, but was now headed up highway 54 to highway 60 toward Eager, AZ. This was all new territory for me, so was “pumped” for the new scenery! The Sierra Blanca Peak was the first snow-capped mountain encountered and the flock of birds in the shot was an added bonus!

Editing

I do minor post editing using PhotoScape X, adjusting color, contract and sharpness.

In my camera bag

I carry the afore mentioned Minolta MN35Z as a bridge camera, along with a Canon SX40 HS with 4.3-150mm F/2.7-5.6G lens, another bridge camera. I also carry a Nikon D3100 with a Top-Max Super Telephoto 420-800mm extremely long focal length, wide F/8.3-16 aperture setting and high resolution high definition zoom lens mounted on a JC Penney model 624-4423 tripod, for those far-reaching shots, a Nikon D3200 with a Nikkor 55-200mm F/4-5.6G lens and a Nikon D5100 with a stock lens. I also carry the usual required accessories and supplies, i.e. spare batteries and chargers, lens covers, spare monopod and a Nikon SB-10 Speedlight, even though I seldom shoot indoors.

Feedback

I like the bridge cameras because they reach far, focus quickly and are lighter and easier to handle than the Nikons sometimes. I started using longer focal lengths to bring the subjects much closer and reveal details that can only be captured by either being close to the subject or bringing it close with lens reach. The Telephoto lens requires a solid base and a fast enough shutter speed to get a sharp photo, which is why I have it mounted on a tripod instead of hand held. With landscape shots like this one, your best friends are sharpness and composition. Sharpness can be had by a solid base and composition is usually determined by the subject and the situation the photographer finds himself in. Good luck!

See more amazing photos, follow dvearrier

dvearrier

dvearrier

DSCI3045x.JPG

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow dvearrier

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.