MikeCeglady
FollowThis is a composite of a number of pictures, and my attempt at creating what I can't seem to catch on location. The sunset is a panorama of photos taken with m...
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This is a composite of a number of pictures, and my attempt at creating what I can't seem to catch on location. The sunset is a panorama of photos taken with my phone and combined, and the tree is, well, the tree. Each individually processed and combined.
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Awards
Zenith Award
Legendary Award
2020 Choice Award
Contest Finalist in A Lonely Tree Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Silhouettes Of Trees Photo Contest
Featured
Contest Finalist in Rule Of Thirds Essentials Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Infinity Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Earth Day 2015 Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Photographer Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 6
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Love it
Virtuoso
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in two different places: a pasture near San Antonio, Florida, and my backyard. As far as the tree goes, I scouted out all of the local pastures looking for a good lone tree shot with an infinite horizon and this one fit the bill perfectly. The sky was taken while standing on the roof of my house.Time
Sunset for both, of course! I've been to this location many times since i found it. The tree is on a ridge that runs north to south. That means that if you stand down the hill on the east side, the top of the ridge becomes the horizon with the sun setting behind.Lighting
I've been out to the pasture many times with many different lighting conditions. But that day, the sky was singular - the clouds were streaming from east to west and had been there for hours. They were like giant highways in the sky, and I knew that the sunset and twilight would be special. But... I couldnt make it out to the tree. So I got the ladder out and climbed on my roof.Equipment
I took this shot with a combination of cameras. The sky was taken with my phone - 6 vertical shots, stitched together in photoshop afterwards. The tree was a single frame taken with my Nikon D3200 on a tripod, through a Sigma 18-250 lens @ 18mm.Inspiration
I love drama in photos. The lone tree photo in all of it's forms has always pulled me in - it conveys a lot of emotions. Strength, loneliness, conviction, endurance... It can say a lot. But you can't just traipse out to a field and snap a picture of a tree. The background matters. So I paired the sky with the tree, and I think that they complement each other in a way that reinforces both and takes the image to the next level.Editing
Of course. The sky is a stitch of 6 vertical shots. The tree and grass is a single frame. I processed both sky and foreground to match - my goal is to produce as natural an image as possible. I never want anyone to look at any of my photos and say, "Wow, that's too much!"In my camera bag
I carry less and less anymore. My D3200 and Sigma lens are the only constants. I have a lot of other gear, but it just weighs me down.Feedback
Keep an eye on the sky... You never know what the day might give you. Be ready! That moment of amazing light really only lasts a moment. I take 'sky stock' all the time. And don't be afraid to replace the sky in your photos. Just make sure you do it with care and integrity.