Los Cuernos
Taken from above Lago Pehoé
Taken from above Lago Pehoé
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Jul, 2020Views
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Awards
Contender in the Photography Awards
Chatter Award
Curator's Selection
Top Shot Award 21
Spring 21 Award
Runner Up in Tones Of Brown Photo Contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Virtuoso
Genius
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken from Mirador Cóndor to the east of Lago Pehoé in the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile. Patagonia is certainly wonderful, but not very easy to get to either from Europe or the US.Time
We hiked up the hill around 4 PM and this picture was taken as the sun was setting towards 7. Patagonia is known for its strong winds, and even when properly dressed one can get very cold standing still for three hours. Another issue was hiking down the hill again in the dark, as there were branches everywhere and Patagonian paths are not quite so well looked after as Swiss ones. Evidently a headlamp is a necessity.Lighting
The Cuernos mountains have most unusual forms and it was clear that when the sun was about to set it would light up some of the faces in a spectacular fashion. Thus, we were in position early and took a series of photos as the light changed. Similarly, there are opportunities for marvellous lighting at sunrise (if you missed breakfast).Equipment
The photo was taken in 2013 and I was then using a Canon EF 70-200 F4.0 L IS mounted on a 60D DSLR. This was all set up on a tripod, although the wind was almost strong enough to blow it all over. I fired the shutter with an infrared remote release.Inspiration
As I have suggested in another one of these articles, you don't need inspiration to take photos in Patagonia. You just need a lot of memory cards. With Los Cuernos, Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Cape Horn, the Beagle Channel, eagles, guanacos (and so it goes on) Patagonia is a photographer's dream.Editing
Post-processing was certainly necessary because auto colour balance doesn't work at sunset. I probably also did a small amount of sharpening on the rock face (having masked out the mist) plus some slight dodging and burning so that the scene appears as I remembered it.In my camera bag
I now have a 70D with an EF-S 15-85 and a Tamron 10-24 plus an EOS-R with an RF 24-105 4 L, the 70-200 F4 IS, a 50mm F1.4 a Samyang 14mm F2.8 and an RF 100-400. I gave up the idea of the RF 100-500 because whilst is surely marvellous, it is too big and heavy when added to everything else. I also use a Canon G5X which can be operated one handed when mountaineering. The problem is a question of weight, so choosing what to take is always an issue. Of course I also carry a tripod, spare batteries, polaroid and ND filters and so on. On this trip to Patagonia I had 6.5 kg of camera equipment. However, we also spent 5 days camping, carrying our tents, clothes and food, which weighed over 16 kg. Thus, I was carrying about 23 kg in total (about 50 lbs) which is rather more than the suitcase one checks-in on an aircraft. My wife thinks that grandfathers should have more sense, but if I followed that line of reasoning I wouldn't have taken the photos...Feedback
The key issue isn't the gear you have (it is all now excellent) but getting to the places with the views. This image was taken on a photographic expedition, so standing around waiting for the right light wasn't an issue. However, if I visit exotic places with family, or go on trekking or climbing expeditions with a group of people who are not photographers, then you can't hold everyone up until the light is right, and sometimes not even for long enough to screw on a polaroid filter. Thus, although I don't have a solution, I would keep in mind that mixing photographic expeditions with other sorts of travel is problematic (and I need to stay married as I never learned to cook).
