Sunflower Sunset
Smiling, happy sunflowers posing for their portrait at sunset in Colorado.
Smiling, happy sunflowers posing for their portrait at sunset in Colorado.
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Aug, 2020Views
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Awards
Spring 23 Award
Curator's Selection
Judge Favorite
Top Shot Award 21
Spring 21 Award
Contest Finalist in My Incredible Landscape Photo Contest
Peer Award
Top Choice
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Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
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Behind The Lens
Location
East of the Denver International Airport in ColoradoTime
Sunset . . . .Lighting
When you shoot into the sun or any light source you are going to have a tough time balancing the exposure. I concentrated on getting a well-balanced exposure so I could enhance the shadows and highlights in Lightroom and PhotoshopEquipment
I use a Canon 5D 3 and 17-40mm lens. A must is a good stable tripod. The Sirui series of tripods are exceptional.Inspiration
Looking at the scene I was trying to create an interesting pattern with the sunflowers, and a point of view that showed depth. I was also wanting to incorporate the setting sun and backlighting it offered.Editing
Yes. Because of the dramatic exposure range, I needed to lighten the flowers and foreground and darken the sky and the sun. Lightroom allows for this procedure very nicely. I then took the image into Photoshop to further enhance the details of the image. I did a dodging (lighten) technique to enhance the brilliance of the flowers (petals and center area). Then I did a burning in technique (darkening) to the sun and clouds. This brought out the rays of the setting sun. I also enhanced the colors using a color adjustment layer. I do not just turn up the saturation because that just makes colors look fake.In my camera bag
2 - Canon 5D 3 bodies w/ motor drives, 17-40mm lens, 100mm macro lens, 100-40 lens mm. I have more lenses but these are my favorites and the idea is to be creative and not own and carry a lot of equipment. I also have a corded shutter cable, UV filters, 3, 5, 10 stop neutral density filters (for long exposure photography). I carry Sirui and Really Right Stuff tripods and ball heads.Feedback
You really must use some pre-visualization in your mind to see these results. Also know your software very well will help you push the boundries with this kind of imagery. HDR is also an answer but I feel HDR can make images look fake and over detailed and too sharp if not used correctly.
