Sunsets
Last time I shared a few photos of sunrises, so let’s talk about sunsets. And where else but of course Riverhead forest - where else would you want to be. On this day I had observed the clouds were looking interesting with enough gap on the horizon. I wanted to go for a run, and there are advantages and disadvantages to that.
The advantages - I get to explore the forest more, be in different places, different locations, different compositions. Which hopefully would guarantee me to get some sort of a shot, I would get some fresh air, exercise - would be a happy me.
The disadvantages - I could not carry my big camera, well I could, but that would require a backpack, running with a backpack etc etc, it wasn’t gonna happen. Not that I haven’t done that before - I will do another blog when I have. Anyways no camera, also I could guarantee I would be in the right place at the right time, even though I would get a shot, I might not get a shot where I want. In this case I wanted to be on the ridge at sunset, so I would get a good view and not be buried in the trees. So, there is a risk.
Anyways we must take risks now and then, right? I also wanted to bring the thing about shooting on the phone or the camera. It’s really never bothered me too much, some of my favourite photos - another blog entry I will have to talk about.
As I got to the gate, I was greeted by a member of the army - they were carrying out excersies in the forest that weekend, I asked whether I could go in. He said yes, but “be aware you may hear blanks being fired, but they know you are a civilian” Ah - OK - that’s reassuring?! I did see several vehicles and a tent setup and even a couple of portloos!
Anyhow my mission was grabbing that sunset, I was actually having an enjoyable run, there was deep grey in the sky, but the light was really dynamic and super contrast-y! I was hoping it would pop. As the sun came down near the horizon, hit the gap, it started to light up the sky and clouds. It was about to go off. And I was just heading towards the ridge, at first I thought I wouldn’t make it in time - sometimes the colours only pop for a few minutes. This day I was lucky it lasted longer and I got to enjoy the show.
It was about to go off!
Phone processed.
Human processed.
Letting the phone process the photo vs. shooting RAW and me trying to edit it. Modern phones have become so good at doing HDR stacking and editing and doing this in a matter of seconds. It's simply better - but not all the time. Sometimes it goes too far, and there is no going back.
Rolling hills
If the mud doesn't get you, the clay will. Well worth getting on the ridge line
The ultimate test of a camera, heavy dynamic range on a front facing phone camera
Even on the main camera, the dynamic range is a challenge
Though I love the subtle highlights here