Navajo Nation
Jul, 2020Views
415
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in Sunset Storm Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Genius
Magnificent Capture
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 30 rank week 1
Top 20 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This image was taken on the Navajo nation in Arizona USA. I was traveling home after camping in Colorado.Time
I shot this image later in the afternoon. The break in the clouds created an ambient light that made me stop.Lighting
The skies were cloudy for hours as we traveled across the region. The large expanse of flat land is made even more dramatic with miles and miles of stormy clouds. A break in the clouds coincided with passing this spot on our route. The tracks ran parallel to the road so we pulled off to shoot some images.Equipment
This was a handheld shot using a Sony alpha 7r iii and 24mm lens.Inspiration
We were traveling for hours in the Navajo nation with nothing but cloudy, grey skies and occasional sprinkle of rain. The wind kicked up from time to time as well. The dark skies seemed to heighten the contrast of objects along they way and the railroad crossing sign was brightly illuminated as we passed in the car. I turned around and parked along a side street that connected the highway to private land (you can see the property fencing to the right of the tracks where the railroad crossing sign is). I loved seeing the bright sky along the horizon, the rain dumping from the far away clouds, and being under the dark storm clouds. Everything was illuminated perfectly for a moody, summer image.Editing
I corrected some underexposed areas in post processing along with brightening the railroad crossing sign to reflect how I remembered seeing it from the speeding car window.In my camera bag
I always have my Sony a7Riii body and two lenses. My favorite is the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 prime for it's ability to expand the story around subjects. I also carry a Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 telephoto zoom because a lot of my paid work is shot from a distance. Also, a Profoto A1X OCF. Accessories include a simple light meter, extra batteries and charger, extra memory cards, a collapsible disc reflector (tucked inside an exterior panel of my backpack), grey card, and tabletop tripod.Feedback
I was glad I turned the car around to get the shot. Sometimes, it's easier to keep going. Especially when you have many hours to travel and stopping often can extend the trip by even more hours. Go for it!
