Taken from the Lago di Braies boathouse, in the Dolomite Mountains, Italy.
Taken from the Lago di Braies boathouse, in the Dolomite Mountains, Italy.
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Contest Finalist in My Favorite Trip Photo Contest
Top Shot Award 22
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Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Photo Contest Volume4
Contest Finalist in Boats and Vessels Photo Contest
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the gorgeous Lago di Braies, in the Italian Dolomite mountains. It was taken at the top of the stairs of the boathouse.Time
Although we were hoping to arrive at the lake early in the morning, it was a bit after 9 am by the time we got there ... there were just so many places to stop and see along the way! The Dolomite mountains have to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.Lighting
Although I prefer sunrise and sunset lighting, the light at the lake that morning wasn't too harsh, and really showed off the beautiful green of the lake.Equipment
I use a Sony a7II camera, with a 24-240mm lens. For this photo, I didn't use a tripod. If I had been there earlier in the morning, I would have likely used a tripod with a slow exposure to soften the water. However, the light was bright enough to make that impossible. Also ... there were many other photographers at the lake, and I had to work quickly at this spot.Inspiration
I have seen many lovely photos of Lago di Braies, so this was a spot I didn't want to miss on our trip to the Dolomites. The boathouse is quite picturesque, however, I really liked the leading lines that the steps provided, and using portrait orientation accented those. The steps look like they are inviting me down to the water level, to pull in one of the rowboats.Editing
I shoot all my photos in ARW. My initial processing was done in Lightroom, where I adjusted shadows, highlights, luminence, vibrance, and focus. I am a big fan of the NIK filters, and for this photo, I used the "Glamour Glow" filter. It gives the photo just a slightly softer, finished look.In my camera bag
I'm pretty much a minimalist when it comes to equipment. I shoot with a Sony a7II, and a 24-240mm lens. It's the only camera and lens that I own. It's such a great camera, and the 24-240mm is extremely versatile, so I don't feel deprived! I have a circular polarizer on my lens, to cut down on glare. I also always have a tripod with me. And, of course, the essentials like spare batteries and lens cloth!Feedback
Although I love to shoot at sunrise and sunset, I've had to accept that I won't be able to shoot EVERYTHING at those times. I try to plan sunrise/sunset shots at what I believe will be the most dramatic locations, but sometimes it's hard to tell what those will be. I think it's important to be open, and look for ways to maximize what you're working with. At Lago di Braies, it would be hard to take a bad photo, but I wanted something a bit different than the boathouse. This was a popular spot, so I had to think about what I wanted before grabbing my spot at the edge of the steps. It's important to know your camera's buttons and knobs like the back of your hand. When you have to work quickly ... whether it's because of crowds or weather, speed will really pay off.