Thor and Warriors Three
Mar, 2022Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I shot this photo from the Navajo Trail of Bryce Canyon, which is the only trail with access to this landmark hoodoo. It's a bit of a steep hike down with some switchbacks, but I've seen young children handle the trail.Time
I took this photo on June 25, 2019. I previously scouted out where this famous named hoodoo was located. After finding it from the rim of the canyon, I came back another day to try for something on the hiking trail which I discovered passed right by it. Given the fact that I shot this photo early in the afternoon, that should tell you something about the weather that day.Lighting
This is 100% natural light from the sun. You can't light up a landscape scene like this otherwise. Still, with shooting it in the early afternoon, you'd think I'd capture extreme highlights and shadows. However, I didn't here. There were clouds in the western sky which were veiling the sun and allowed me to take this photo with much better lighting conditions than expected. Most daytime scenes of this hoodoo don't look this soft.Equipment
I shot this photo hand-holding a Nikon D7200 using a Nikkor 18-55mm lens. I also had my Vanguard tripod with an Espod Plus 233 AP head and my Nikon MC-DC2 trigger release to round out the equipment. That's all I used.Inspiration
I saw a photo resembling this shot on Instagram. I knew that I needed my own take. However, I didn't know where the Thor's Hammer hoodoo was despite living so close to Bryce Canyon. I corrected that gap in my knowledge with some internet research and a GPS. I didn't anticipate that I would come home with a gallery-hanger of a photo during an early afternoon scouting trip, but the stars aligned (or at least the sun and clouds did).Editing
The initial raw photo was already fairly decent. However, it left the land a bit underexposed and the entire image under-saturated. I did some color and color balance correcting. Of course, there's the obligatory sharpening too. However, this photo didn't require an overabundance of post-processing work.In my camera bag
I carry a Nikon D7200 rather permanently attached to a Custom Brackets Digital Pro-E flash bracket. I love the ease which this high end flash bracket allows me to switch from landscape to portrait mode on a tripod and back again. It makes life in the field so much easier for me. My go-to lenses are the Nikkor 18-55mm kit lens and a Tamron 70-300mm telephoto lens with 1:2 macro capabilities. These have served me faithfully for several years in photography. I also pack a Nikkor 50mm prime for those times when I need f/1.8. I also carry a Nikon Speedlight SB-700 for those times when natural light just isn't enough. My Hoodman hood-loupe, highly recommended by Scott Kelby, also goes with me. With it, I can see what my camera screen is showing me even in exceedingly bright light which would otherwise prevent me viewing my newly taken photos. My sling bag does get heavy with all this gear, but I know that I'm prepared for all kinds of photo opportunities.Feedback
This photo ended up being about standing in the right place at the right time. I would also add that my spouse has often remarked lately that landscape photography is a lot about luck. However, the better I get, the luckier I become. So, If you want a photo like this, then go out and practice landscape photography until you can walk into an unfamiliar location and get a feel for whether or not the weather will cooperate with you for a brilliant sunrise or sunset. You'll see things from a certain point of view which will enable you to recognize more optimal landscape photography conditions no matter what time of day. Yes, this will take time and lots of practice. However, you need that skill to make off-peak time landscape photos like this work.
