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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on Herold's Bay, a small coastal town in the Western Cape of South Africa where I grew up as a child. We have a holiday house there and we get the most amazing sunsets.. This was taken in January when it is summer season in South Africa.Time
Usually the best time of day for sunset photography (in summer season) in this specific spot is from 19:30 - 20:30 - this is when the light changes dramatically in a very short space of time. This photo was captured 19:58 and about 2 minutes later the sky was almost pale in comparison to this.Lighting
The whole day the clouds were very dense and was hanging over the horizon. This normally develops in a dramatic ray of colours at sunset - so I just waited..Equipment
The camera I used was a 5D mkii with 85 mm f/1.2 II USM using manual settings: F8, 1/80 and ISO800 It was on a tripod with a cable release and mirror lock was enabled.Inspiration
I just love this time of the day at the beach, and what could be better having a beautiful and dramatic sunset to go with it?! On the right side of the photo on top of the hill there is a wooden cross that was put up there a few years ago for worship - the colour of the sky just spoke with me to compliment the cross.. or the other way round.. So my camera was in hand and needed to take one good sunset with an exceptional ray of colours - it worked for me..Editing
The image as you see it is pretty much SOOC (straight out of camera) - I cropped it a little and bounced up the midtones a little. Then I just unsharp mask about 50% and that was it! I guess I was very lucky to have an outcome like this..In my camera bag
..in my bag.. well let's see, 5D mk ii most of the time. I always travel with my 70-200 f/2.8, a awesome lens in and out of studio (I use this lens for many portrait work in my studio) a little 50 mm f/1.8 always accompanies as well. The 16-35 mm f/2.8 always handy and the 85 mm f/1.2. 2x 580 EX speedlights, pocket wizards, extra batteries and memory cards, duct tape, filters, permanent marker and ball point pens, cloth, lens pen, duster / blower, battery charger, grey card, plasters, small level and gum. USB cables. Business cards are always in there somewhere - very handy..Feedback
To capture sunsets can be very daunting because each one has it's own uniqueness and then when you have captured, say 5 different sunsets - you need to choose.. the key on any nature, landscape, animal etc. photography is timing and patience. Try to become one with your subject. Never stop to learn, try new setting and angles and keep your camera ready. Never switch the camera off - these days the cameras automatically goes in to "sleep" mode and will respond as soon as you touch the shutter button