Location: Bass Lake Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock.
A crisp autumn morning at Bass Lake, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. Captured 10/6/2013
Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
Focal Length: 16mm
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/20
Aperture: f/16
Filters: Marumi Super DHG Circular Polarizer 77mm
Exposure: Manual
How I Got This Shot: I did my best to compose this scene so that it is balanced. Our eye is drawn to whatever is brightest in a scene (or darkest, if your photo is mostly bright!). In this case, the brightest area of the photo is the radiant sunrise. That is made the left side of the scene very heavy. Think of it like a scale. Something needs to be put on the right side to bring the scene into balance. Here, I’ve used the the island to do just that.
I think it is also helpful that the treetops on the island broke up the treeline running along the lake shore. The idea is that the eye will look at the bright, misty sunrise first, then follow the gradual ascent of treetops to the right until it dead stops on the island interrupting the line.
Everything else about this photo are just basics. If you want calm water and a sky like this, be there when the sun rises. No amount of Photoshop or filters will turn a midday shot into this. You have to do the hard work of getting up early and setting up just as the sun crest the treeline.
For More Information
- Additional photographs by The Art of Victor Ellison
- Categories where this photo is found: Editor's Picks, Lakes & Rivers