Off the Beaten Path
Taken during a camping trip to Yosemite National Park. We got up early in the morning to hike out to this open field that wasn't too far from our campsite....
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Taken during a camping trip to Yosemite National Park. We got up early in the morning to hike out to this open field that wasn't too far from our campsite.
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Apr, 2020Views
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Travel Addict Project
Zenith Award
Contest Finalist in Creative Landscapes Photo Contest vol11
Curator's Selection
Top Shot Award 22
Runner Up in Monthly Pro Photo Contest Volume27
Spring 21 Award
Legendary Award
Celebrity Award
Staff Favorite
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in Yosemite National Park. This was taken early in the morning, our friend found a great place to hike to and wanted to get out there and explore before most people were awake.Time
Early in the morning, around 5am to 6am. I believe we started our hike around 4-4:30 in the morning in order to be out there before anyone else.Lighting
This photo went through some editing, I created a preset that took out some of the saturate colors and gave a better sense of that early morning splendor. These edits give a better sense of the feeling of that morning, focusing mainly on the light streaming through the trees and just grazing the sides. All of the lighting was created by the early morning sun.Equipment
I used my Nikon D5300 for this shot. I had my Tamron 28-75mm zoom lens on me that morning. I wish I had my wide-angle lens with me on this trip because there is so much to take in and so much more that is not seen.Inspiration
A lot was changing in my life at this point, I was about to leave for another job, and I knew I was going to be taking a full-time position elsewhere soon, so I wanted to capture as much as I could about this trip. I enjoy getting out into nature and seeing what it provides and I knew it would be a while before I could come back to Yosemite. When I got the chance to make the hike out, I knew I had to take it. The lighting was amazing in the early morning, and I had to capture what was there.Editing
There was some post-processing done. Yosemite was very lush and green when I took this photo but I felt that the colors didn't quite capture the feeling of that moment. I took the saturation of the greens down and tried to make it more about the lighting and the memory of the place instead of faithfully capturing what was there.In my camera bag
I normally carry a small kit when I go out shooting. The adventure is always first and foremost, capturing what is there is second. I have a small Chrome brand sling for my equipment. Normally for shoots like this, I carry my D5300 and my 3 favorite, all-purpose lenses, my Nikon 50mm, and my two Tamron zoom lenses, my 10-24mm and my 28-75mm. This covers almost everything I need, from large wide shots, to portraits, to everyday subjects.Feedback
A, always carry your camera with you. I debated whether to carry my smaller J1 so I could focus more on the hiking/outdoors aspect, but it would not have captured what I wanted as well as my larger DSLR. B, take the opportunity. I don't get outdoors as much as I want, so after a few days of hiking, camping, and just general walking everywhere I was sore that morning. I talked myself into getting up, in the cold early morning, getting dressed and making the effort. Some of my favorite shots of people and places came out of it.
