danahoward

Tree at dusk March 2016 Copan Lake

SCH-I545

Aperture f/2.2 ISO 50 Shutter 1/12352 Focal Length 420/100

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Mar, 2016

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

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Behind The Lens

Location

The photo was taken at a deserted camp ground on Copan Lake in Oklahoma. My dog and I go there frequently to gain an extra sense of solitude so I can feel grounded centered. The remoteness of the location, smell of the lake and the sandstone below my feet always feels like home to me. I let my dog run freely as I take my walks in the area, looking for interesting sites to photograph. I am mostly self taught with photography and photoshop and love working in natural settings where I can experiment with light.

Time

It was a Sunday afternoon when Blue and I went for a walk at our favorite spot on the lake. It was late afternoon on that particular spring day when i came upon the tree. It was located right by the waters edge in a grouping of smaller trees. It was becoming warm out and buds on the trees were beginning to show signs of the coming season.

Lighting

I am drawn away frequently to places that are remote, abandoned or romantic. This why I love this camp spot. My dog Blue and I went to Post Oak in the afternoon the day I took this shot. I walked along the sandstones right by the water looking to capture a water scene. As I looked around, this tree stood right near the shoreline, the sun light caught my eyes as it filtered through the branches of this tree in an amazing array of glory. This tree appeared old and a bit mangled, yet beautiful as it reached towards the heavens in all the light. You could see some of its buds beginning to peak out through the light. I sat down on the warm rocks and took many different angled shots. I had left my big camera in the car and just relied on my camera phone and the steadiness of my hand to capture it.

Equipment

I used what I had at the time to capture the moment before it faded- My work phone camera.

Inspiration

I go to places of that type because I am inspired by the sense of magical beauty in abandoned places. That day I was particularly inspired by the light as it filtered effortlessly through branches, making it appear as almost "other worldly"

Editing

Yes, post-processing is the one thing I get most excited about. Sense I'm self taught, I might not know all the exact technical terms- but go with how the picture makes me feel as I manipulate them. I used simple filters to soften the focus, a warm light filter to capture a more romantic mood and I then used a basic dark vignette to frame the whole photo.

In my camera bag

My equipment hasn't changed much in the years I've picked up photography. I have used a Nikon DSLR for about 15 years. I went from a D70 to a D3200. Although I've got my eye on another one. I usually have three lenses in my bag- two different Nikkor 18-55mm and I keep a 70-300 on my camera. I evidently keep my two phones handy since I am not above using just a plain old phone camera.

Feedback

My best advice is to keep some type of camera on you at all times. A person must be spontaneous because some of the best captured shots are gone in a millisecond. If you have to think about (going back to the car to get your camera)- the shot is probably gone. Landscape photography can be somewhat forgiving but not babies. The one thing you can also take with you where ever you go, is a creative mindset and the willingness to be spontaneous. Making yourself free to be spontaneous is actually pretty therapeutic---its some of the best therapy out there.

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danahoward

danahoward

Tree at dusk March 2016 Copan Lake

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow danahoward

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