I just got back from spring break skiing in Breckenridge, CO with the fam. I guess one of the benefits of traveling a lot for work, is that you build up some frequent flyer miles to take a trip here and there. Anyway,I thought I’d post a photo from the only time my DSLR made it out of the bag. I was there for 6 days and my camera bag/tripod sat in the corner of the room (taking back seat to skiing) for the first 5 🙂 Then one morning I woke up early, looked outside and saw some decent clouds, and decided to go shoot.
Actually, if I’m being honest, I went back to bed first. Then I laid there for about 10 minutes, knowing I wouldn’t actually sleep at this point, because I’d be wondering what kind of sunrise I’d miss. So I got dressed (warmly), grabbed my gear, got in the rental car and went out for a chilly 7°F sunrise shoot.
(click to see the photo larger)
Photo Info:
Camera: Canon 5D Mark III
Lens: Canon 70-200 f/2.8
Aperture: f/8
Shutter: 1/20 sec.
ISO: 100
Tripod: Really Right Stuff TVC-33 and BH-55 Ballhead
I really had absolutely no idea where the sun would come up, as I hadn’t been up that early since I was in Breck (I think that’s how the cool kids say it 😉 ). It’s always hard shooting in the mountains because sometimes sunrise/sunset is a bust, because the sun comes up behind a mountain. And by the time it actually gets over the peak, the good light is gone. But I found a location that looked pretty decent, (and I got somewhat lucky) in that it caught some early light.
Sadly, I’m back in the swing of things. I had a great week watching my kids tear up the slopes (not bad for FL kids either), and we returned with all bones and limbs intact. Have a good one!
I love teaching and photography... In that order. I feel that enjoying photography, and photo editing can get WAY too complicated. So my personal mission (and favorite thing to do), is to create education that simplifies the process of taking great photos, and how to edit them to get the results you’ve always wanted.
Matt, have you checked out the iPhone app called the Photographer’s Ephemeris? It uses your geolocation and lets you know when and where the Sun is at, as well as lets you see where and when exactly it will rise/fall. Fantastic for planning gold and blue hour photos. Also, you can search for locations to plan ahead (providing weather permits).
I actually have it and like it a lot. The one thing it won’t tell you about the sun is what it’s going to hit first when you happen to be up in the mountains. It’s a great tool to forecast where the sun will rise and fall, but if you’re in the mountains, that doesn’t exactly help you figure out what you should be shooting toward.
Just that little bit of light made the picture, Matt. Good job. Truly, after jumping around the slopes all week, I would’ve gone back to bed and stayed there. LOL!
Thanks! I sure wanted to 🙂
Jup, Matt switched to Canon too…
Can you tell me how do you add an ND filter (Lee system) with a polarizer ?
Do you use Lee polarizer circular or another system?
Thanks
Antoine (From FRANCE) sorry for any langage mistake…
Hi Antoine – I don’t use an ND filter and a polarizer at the same time. When I do use a polarizer, I use the B+W Circular polarizer though.
Thanks 🙂
Thanks Matt,
Don’t you never want for long exposure (ND) use a polarizer to enhance the contrast or remove reflexions?
Nope. I’m good with the ND if I do long exposures.