It's been a bit quiet on here as of late. I'm sure that people are quite busy with their summer happenings.
I've been working on this scan for some time now, and it's taken me longer than usual to get down the majority of the fine tuning (I still have a bit more to do most likely). This image was taken late spring (late May) at Banning State Park, located in east-central Minnesota. I braved the mosquitoes and got up for sunrise, but stormy skies blocked out any dramatic light that might occur when facing towards the sun. So, after waiting around for an hour or so and swatting bugs, I packed up and moved on.
A ways down the trail, a saw that the sun was breaking through a small opening in the cloud cover and quickly selected a spot to set up my camera (my compositional options were extremely limited unfortunately). Much to my delight, strong directional rays broke through on the tops of the trees across the river. I've walked through this spot countless times and never made a photograph looking this way, so it was exciting to see a familiar place transformed by the light. Thanks for looking!
All I see is a beautiful shot of God's Country. I don't see any mosquitoes, and I know they grow them big up there, it (mosquitoes) are the state birds of Wisconsin and Minnesota! I don't suppose you carried a fishing pole too did you? Very Nice, BP
Posted by Chuck Beatty on July 15, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Beautiful composition and light, Joel. The light on the trees makes it look like fall at first glance.
Glad the bug bites paid off. Do you use any sort of netting? I was overwhelmed by mosquitos in Canada last month -- couldn't focus for the bugs in my eyes. Was wondering if there was a workable solution besides bathing in DEET.
Nice image fully tuned or not. Go to store and get some Vanilla Fantasy it works on most bugs and we have quite a few here as well. It is really good for Buffalo Gnats. It is even not tested on animals. I usually cover my bases and mix some DEET as well.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on July 16, 2008 at 9:34 AM
What a beautiful scene, Joel..the light is excellent!
DEET is the only thing that has worked, for me. This year seems to be particularly bad for skeeters. All the rain the Midwest has received this year has produced a bumper crop of them.
Chuck, I've never tried netting. Typically I try and avoid mosquito prone areas during early summer (when they're typically at their worst). During peak, they can literally be oppressive and send one running for cover. DEET helps, but it seems to only reduce the inevitable, not truly prevent it. This photo is part of a project I just finished (and am currently scanning/processing), so I was forced on this occasion...well, by myself ...to be out shooting. Oh the trials and tribulations of nature photography!
Bruce, no fishing for me I'm afraid. While I know quite a few people who fish (and am pressured to do so by said individuals), photography eats up all the available time I have.
no fishing for me I'm afraid. While I know quite a few people who fish (and am pressured to do so by said individuals), photography eats up all the available time I have.
I've been a lifelong fisherman, but these last five years have been fishing less and less. Even now that I'm doing photography full time, there's less time for fishing than there was when I had a full-time job and was limited to fishing and photographing in my spare time.
First thing I thought of when I saw your image, Joel, was an evening campfire and a night spent catfishing from shore.
Discussion
10 repliesI've been working on this scan for some time now, and it's taken me longer than usual to get down the majority of the fine tuning (I still have a bit more to do most likely). This image was taken late spring (late May) at Banning State Park, located in east-central Minnesota. I braved the mosquitoes and got up for sunrise, but stormy skies blocked out any dramatic light that might occur when facing towards the sun. So, after waiting around for an hour or so and swatting bugs, I packed up and moved on.
A ways down the trail, a saw that the sun was breaking through a small opening in the cloud cover and quickly selected a spot to set up my camera (my compositional options were extremely limited unfortunately). Much to my delight, strong directional rays broke through on the tops of the trees across the river. I've walked through this spot countless times and never made a photograph looking this way, so it was exciting to see a familiar place transformed by the light. Thanks for looking!
Technicals: Tachihara 4x5, Fujinon 90mm, Fuji Provia 100f, 2 stop soft GND
Glad the bug bites paid off. Do you use any sort of netting? I was overwhelmed by mosquitos in Canada last month -- couldn't focus for the bugs in my eyes. Was wondering if there was a workable solution besides bathing in DEET.
DEET is the only thing that has worked, for me. This year seems to be particularly bad for skeeters. All the rain the Midwest has received this year has produced a bumper crop of them.
Chuck, I've never tried netting. Typically I try and avoid mosquito prone areas during early summer (when they're typically at their worst). During peak, they can literally be oppressive and send one running for cover. DEET helps, but it seems to only reduce the inevitable, not truly prevent it. This photo is part of a project I just finished (and am currently scanning/processing), so I was forced on this occasion...well, by myself
Bruce, no fishing for me I'm afraid. While I know quite a few people who fish (and am pressured to do so by said individuals), photography eats up all the available time I have.
I've been a lifelong fisherman, but these last five years have been fishing less and less. Even now that I'm doing photography full time, there's less time for fishing than there was when I had a full-time job and was limited to fishing and photographing in my spare time.
First thing I thought of when I saw your image, Joel, was an evening campfire and a night spent catfishing from shore.