Tipi Dreams
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Aperture f/1.8 ISO 400 Shutter 1/5 Focal Length 85/1 
Billings, Montana, US
Feb, 2021Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
At the "Lighting of Teepees: A Symbol of Hope", in Billings, MT near the Airport on top of the Rimrocks.Time
I took this image between 5:30 and 6pm on a cold windy New Years Eve in Billings, Montana (2020). It was pretty chilly and it was difficult to get a shot without people as there were so many people and headlights everywhere.Lighting
I was trying to get the lighting right as the sun was setting over the Beartooth's in the Southwest and the clouds were silhouetted against the evening sky. They had started lighting the Teepee's and I was trying to get the colors to come through without losing some of the definition/contrast in the sky.Equipment
Shot on a Cannon EOS 5D Mark IV, with a EF 70-200mm f/1.8 USM lens. Focal length 85mm. Exposure was 1/8 sec @ f 1.8 and ISO 400.Inspiration
I had been up to the location the night before and was so touched. The entire story of this is amazing - especially after recently learning of my own native heritage. - In December 2020, The Rocky Mountain Tribal Leadership Council (RMTLC), helped organize a project called, “The Lighting of the Teepees: A Symbol of Hope.” William Snell (of RMTLC ) commented “We thought it was appropriate, I think, for the communities, for the state and then for the world. Just our way as American Indian people of giving people a ray of hope, support and love during troubled times." A group of about 20 volunteers helped erect the teepees on up on the Rimrocks above Billings, MT. Snell said some people stopped to lend a hand after seeing the teepees from Airport Road. “Since it’s real close to the holidays, of course we want to not forget about the Creator and what he’s done for us. We want to make sure that we can continue to pray for those people who are struggling with COVID-19 and those that have passed away. We want to honor them as well," Snell said. The community response to the project was overwhelming. It was a perfect time to give that ray of hope to people. People were bringing rocks which had the names of lost loved ones, placing them near the entrances of the teepees. Each of the seven teepees are 18 feet high and constructed with 18 foot lodge poles in the Crow and Blackfeet style. The first four lodge poles that go up are tied together. The rest are laid around the bundle without added support. It is said those first four lodge poles carry symbolism. Four is a pretty meaningful number to native people. It means all races: red, yellow, black and white. Also, four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Also it has a real symbolism of the cycle of life, which means youth or children, adolescents, young adults and elders. The doorway symbolizes a bear and cougar for strength and speed. The flaps on the top can be symbolized as owls or coyotes. “You have to have a little bit of humor from the coyotes and a little gesturing that keeps life happy and interesting. Around the holiday season, the RMTLC hoped the teepees will help people honor those who have passed. COVID-19 hit our Montana Reservations hard. It has taken a lot of our family members and relatives. There’s some trauma involved with that. A great deal of trauma. We don’t want to forget about that. The Teepee’s were a sign of hope and we will never forget.Editing
I try not to do a lot of post processing. In this instance, I dropped my exposure (-0.40) and adjusted my highlights and shadows and brought the whites up and the vibrance up just a bit for brighter stronger colors. I also had to remove a street sign and some people (shadowed).In my camera bag
Unfortunately for those I shoot with - I always bring almost every piece of equipment I have. So not only do I have my Lowepro camera bag but I also load up another bag with many of my extras - they are so much fun! My Lowepro bag holds my Cannon 5D MarkIV and my Cannon 6D, Cannon EF 24-105mm, 1:4L ,Cannon Zoom lens EF 70-200mm, 1:2.8L IS III USM, my Cannon extender EF 1.4x III, my Neutral density filters (Goby ND4, ND16, ND32) and my Hoya Circular Polarizer. I usually carry at least 2 spare batteries as well as a car charger for them and at least 4 SD cards. I always have a little note book and pen to remind myself what worked or what didn't and to note places I may want to return to so I can explore more shooting ops. I also take a wireless remote and a tethered remote - just in case the wireless doesn't work. I have a small bottle of lense cleaner and soft lens wipe as well. My buddies laugh at me because I also usually have a dual axis hot shoe bubble level mounted on my camera - I can never get landscapes level - I always tell them I'm half a bubble off. If I'm doing night shots, I try and always have my hoodloupe - otherwise the light gets all wonky going between bright and dark. I never leave home with out may camera manuals either. I always have my tripod and a monopod that I bring along. For most of my shooting in Montana/Wyoming I use my Nest, but for traveling (via airplane) I take my MeFoto globeTrotter tripod. My next purchase will be a Gimbal head. We won't go into what's in the extra bag... Oh My - You'll only laugh!!!!Feedback
Any Advice? For me, I'm pretty new to photography, my mentor just always encourages me to Practice Practice Practice! I belong to a great photography club where everyone is willing to share their knowledge and experiences and we have monthly challenges. I'm fortunate to live in Montana and I always can find something to shoot. Don't be afraid to just get out there and try - in your back yard, the park or even your kitchen. In this instance, I went back the next night to have a second try at it. Some of my images from the night before were nice but not what I wanted and it was so stinking' cold and windy. I also approached it from different angles - sometimes I bring a step stool to stand on to take an image from a higher viewpoint and I always have a small blanket/rug to lay down on so I can get down low. Come back at different times as well - Morning light is so different from evening light. Walk around - get a different perspective. I think the biggest thing for me was to learn to be patient and really observe from different perspectives. It's all a long learning process. Just get out there, experiment and practice, practice, practice.
