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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken in Muir Woods in California. It is one of my favorite places to visit when I go to the San Francisco area. Each time I visit I find a new trail to explore. This particular trail took me above the the lower reaches of the forest.Time
I had been trying to get a great image of the sunlight streaming through the trees for a while, but I always seemed to miss that perfect moment. Then in mid-September of 2016 we arrived at Muir Woods around noon. The main area of the forest was crowded with visitors so we opted to take a trail that rose quickly above the forest floor. It rose and wound it's way up pretty high above the crowds, and it became so quiet and peaceful. Suddenly around a turn in the trail I came to this scene. The sun was at just the right angle to create the image I had been searching for.Lighting
I prefer to shoot in natural light, allowing the conditions of the day to dictate how the photo comes out. There can be a lot of disappointments this way, but when you find yourself at the right place and time, it can be magical. I have gotten some of my best shots in this forest, with the way the sunlight dapples through the leaves.Equipment
This was shot on a Canon T4i with the 18-135mm kit lens, really a very basic setup.Inspiration
The forest itself is my inspiration. I have gotten some lovely shots in this magical place.Editing
Post-processing was pretty minimal. I used Adobe Lightroom to adjust the exposure, clarity and contrast.In my camera bag
I have since upgraded to a Canon 80D body. I still use my 18-135mm kit lens as well as the Canon 50mm f/1.4. I try to keep my bag as light as possible, and if I bring only one or two lenses then I am forced to work with them only. I find this the best way to learn the nuances of a lens. Those 2 lenses are my go to lenses currently. The only other things I carry in my bag are extra batteries and lens cleaning cloths.Feedback
You need to get out to the place you want to photograph and walk around at different times of the day. If you can, go during different seasons. Every place is different in each season. Muir Woods is so far away from me I can't visit any old time, so it tends to be the same general season for me. Sometimes this can't be helped. But change up the hour. Every location is unique, and the way the light hits your favorite location will be different each time if you visit. You will find that magic time, just be patient and observe.