The Magic Of Colorado
A crisp morning in early April. This is a part of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
A crisp morning in early April. This is a part of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
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May, 2021Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken on the way into the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Mosca, Colorado. With such breathtaking views right along the roadside, it's hard to drive very far without pulling over for another shoot!Time
I woke around 4am from a chilly, restless night of sleep, toes concerningly numb. I packed up the tent and found the local mountain gas station. Coffee for the road, and a few hours drive to the Dunes. I was able to get a nice shot as the morning arrived, on the way to reaching the Dunes. Taken on ?Friday, ?April ?2, ?2021, ??7:42:44 AM.Lighting
I really enjoy using the gift of natural lighting whenever possible. Sunrise and sunset are absolutely amazing times to shoot! The early approaching sun added some fiery orange and pink magic to contrast the chill of the crisp morning mountain landscape.Equipment
I used a Canon EOS Rebel T6i with a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 lens. No flash, no tripod, just a quick handheld shot.Inspiration
This was my first time traveling to the western United States, and I was pretty excited to see sand dunes right alongside the beautiful mountains. The layers of merging landscapes were fantastic natural artistic creations. Coupled with a sunrise on a chilly morning, a perfect scene was set. The dawning of a new day represented a new era in my life, where I am led to my experience by excitement and love!Editing
This shot actually didn't require much in the way of post-processing, just some casual tweaks being mindful of emphasizing the light and the shaded parts of the image, and keeping the highlighted warmth in the clouds to stir and brighten the coolness of the scene.In my camera bag
I've always got my (just upgraded) Canon EOS Rebel T7i in the easy access of my bag, sporting the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 or the 55-250mm f/4-5.6 lens, depending on my intended subject that day. I also have a Nikon Coolpix P900 for when I need that superzoom. I also always carry backup batteries and memory cards, because... you never know!Feedback
An essential part of capturing a nice landscape shot is a lovely subject. Find yourself a nice mountain range with layers, being mindful of the direction of the rising sun. I really enjoy landscape images that emphasize the distance from the photographer to the scene. The sky is a huge part of the composition as well. The sky changes quickly and pretty unpredictably, so patience and an opportunistic mindset help! Arrive early, before sunrise, and quietly watch the beauty unfold like a blooming flower. Mother Nature gives back so much just for offering her attention.
