michelestclairjames

Bridge the Gap

A log across Whiskeytown's Crystal Creek. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located in Northern California near Redding.

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A log across Whiskeytown's Crystal Creek. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located in Northern California near Redding.

To see more of my work go to www.michelejamesphotography.com or visit me on Twitter (@micheleyjames) or my Facebook Fanpage Michele James Photography.
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OLYMPUS E-M5

settings

Aperture f/22 ISO 640 Shutter 25/1 Focal Length 12/1

upload_date

May, 2016

Views

4107

Likes

+311

Awards

Featured

Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 22 Photo Contest

Peer Award

+108

Superb Composition

+26

Absolute Masterpiece

+20

Top Choice

+15

Magnificent Capture

Outstanding Creativity

All Star

Superior Skill

Genius

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

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Top 10 rank week 2

Top 30 rank

Top 20 rank

Top 30 rank week 2

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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in Northern California. Whiskeytown is so diverse. One side of Whiskeytown will be hot, dry and arid. The other side can be lush and green. Almost a temperate rain forest. On this particular day, I was supposed to meet a client and her family for portraits around the creek. We had been having some crazy weather recently so it had gone from 105 degrees to 55 and rainy. We ended up cancelling the session. I was bummed but I had the perfect opportunity to photograph the creek!

Time

This part of the creek is one of my favorites in the park and can be photographed any time of the day due to the tree cover. This particular day 4:00 pm was perfect after the rocks and trees had been saturated by the rain. The rain brings so much texture to the granite rocks that Whiskeytown is known for!

Lighting

I wanted people to feel the serenity that I felt while I was at the creek. I think the deep colors, even lighting and flowing water convey my message perfectly. I think that the small waterfall with light on it that you see under the log shows "light at the end of the tunnel"!

Equipment

I shoot with an Olympus E-M5 with the kit 12-50mm lens. I have had the same tripod for years that I loved but it was so heavy. It finally died on me so I purchased a Zomei tripod and love it! It is very lightweight and perfect for what I do.

Inspiration

I had already scoped out this location in the recent past but the lighting wasn't conducive to the feeling I wanted to portray. On this particular day, the cancellation of my portrait session left me the perfect time with the perfect conditions to finally attempt. I wanted to give a person the feeling that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The lighting on the waterfall that you see under the log was that "light".

Editing

I try not to do too much editing. I saturated the colors a bit, added some highlights and clarity to the rocks. I highlighted the trees a bit also.

In my camera bag

I have my Olympus E-M5 with it's kit lens, my tripod and an assortment of ND filters.

Feedback

I have tried to expand my horizons and look at the big picture as well as the small picture. My downfall in the past has been that I don't break a picture down to smaller pieces. When I get to a location I try to just sit and take in the whole scene. I listen, I watch how the water flows or the light plays across a scene and use those things to my advantage. Don't be in a rush! Your photos will reflect your haphazard approach. Take it all in.

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michelestclairjames

michelestclairjames

Bridge the Gap

A log across Whiskeytown's Crystal Creek. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located in Northern California near Redding. To see more of... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow michelestclairjames

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A log across Whiskeytown's Crystal Creek. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located in Northern California near Redding.

To see more of...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.