michelestclairjames

Alabama Hills Sunrise

This particular morning was freezing and the wind was blowing so hard as we tried to break camp. As I headed up to get the last load of camping gear I was met ...
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This particular morning was freezing and the wind was blowing so hard as we tried to break camp. As I headed up to get the last load of camping gear I was met with this. I couldn't resist dragging the camera out one last time!
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Dec, 2015

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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, California. The Alabama Hills, a recreation area located in the shadow of Mt Whitney and the high Sierras, was a favorite movie location for old Hollywood and a staple of more cowboy movies then you can count. This area is also known for its many arches, the most famous being Mobius Arch. If composed just right you can capture Mt. Whitney in the arch!

Time

This photograph was taken around 6 am. We had camped there the night before in a super neat campsite. When we went to bed the stars were shining and there was no wind. By midnight the wind was howling blowing the tent around and then the rain came! It was a sleepless night to say the least. Early in the morning we decided to brave the wind and break camp. There is an awesome little café in the town nearby that serves up a mean steak and eggs breakfast. I thought I would console my husband with food! I was on my way back up to the campsite to get my last load of camping gear. The sky was amazing and the light was so perfect. I ran back down to the pickup and set up on what we had called our "veranda". I fired off a couple of shots. I didn't think I would get anything worthwhile because of the wind. Imagine my surprise when I got home to process the trip's photos! It was one of my favorite shots of the trip.

Lighting

Never give up! I thought I was skunked as far as sunrise photos on this trip and then something amazing happened! I learned never to pack the camera gear up too soon and to keep it ready!

Equipment

I shoot with an Olympus OMD E-5. I love this camera! The lens was the stock 12-50mm that came with the camera. I used a polarizer and a tripod for this shot. Nothing else!

Inspiration

I love the Alabama Hills. There is so many textures and shapes to the area that you can get lost in the quest to shoot everything that you see! I try to get there at least twice a year. The sunsets are absolutely amazing. Lucky for me, the sunrises are as well!

Editing

I did very little post processing in Lightroom to this photograph. I lightened the forground a little to expose the wonderful textures in the rocks and saturated the colors of the overall photo a bit. I don't like photographs that are over processed so I try to take care not to do to much to mine.

In my camera bag

I carry my trusty Olympus cameras with the 12-50mm lens, a fixed 50mm lens, and various other ones but the two mentioned are my favorites. I have polarizers, adjustable polarizers and gradual ND's. I keep it simple!

Feedback

My advice to those that are trying to capture great skies is not to give up! Just when you think it isn't going to happen it just might! Be ready for it. Don't leave too soon. Find an angle and a vantage point that might give you better skies. Sometimes the luck of the draw isn't there but sometimes you will be amazed and what it provided to you! Most of all, just breath.........it isn't always the destination but the journey that is the best. Relaxing and seeing the beauty that the world has to offer us if we just stop long enough to look may be reward enough!

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michelestclairjames

michelestclairjames

Alabama Hills Sunrise

This particular morning was freezing and the wind was blowing so hard as we tried to break camp. As I headed up to get the last load of camping gear I was met ... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow michelestclairjames

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This particular morning was freezing and the wind was blowing so hard as we tried to break camp. As I headed up to get the last load of camping gear I was met ...
Read more

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