What Type of Camera and/or Lenses Did You Use?
Panasonic DMC-FZ28
XResolution - 180/inch
YResolution - 180/inch
Date/Time - 2011:12:24 07:38:36
ExposureTime - 1/320 seconds
FNumber - 5.60
ExposureProgram - Normal program
ISOSpeedRatings - 100
ComponentsConfiguration - YCbCr
CompressedBitsPerPixel - 4 (bits/pixel)
ExposureBiasValue - 0.00
MaxApertureValue - F 2.83
MeteringMode - Multi-segment
LightSource - Auto
FocalLength - 29.00 mm
ExifImageWidth - 3648
ExifImageHeight - 2736
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm - 163 mm
SceneCaptureType - Standard
White Balance - Auto
GainControl - None
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - High
What Was the Weather Like? What Was the Lighting Like?
It was below freezing, but no snow. The wind was a real problem and I had to take several shots in the hope one would not be blurred from camera shake. Unfortunately, there was nothing nearby to brace myself against like a tree. The nearest one did not give me the angle between the trees and buildings to get the sun properly.
Shooting directly in to the sun, I had to use the LCD display only and not the optical viewfinder to avoid the risk of possible eye damage.
The flare of the sun in the lens made it a difficult choice for me. Should I just let it happen and hope it looked "arty"? Or try to avoid it all together and potentially ruin any composition of the shot, like the delicate angle between the trees and buildings? It turned out that the flaring feels to me like it added more to the picture than it took away in the end.
Advice
- NEVER leave home without your camera, no matter how trivial it might be.
- If the "event" will last long enough, take several pictures of it. You might only ever get one chance to take a shot like that and you can always pick the best one later and delete the others.
- When shooting outdoors, always leave a neutral density filter on your cameras' lens (if your camera will take filters that is), just as protection for very expensive lenses.
- I wish I had caught the sun five minutes earlier; just as it was coming up over the "horizon", but this was an opportunist shot and not planned!
If You Remember, What Were the Camera's Settings?
The camera was on "Intelligent Auto"
What Type of Planning Was Needed to Set Up This Photo?
None, it was one of those lucky shots where I was outside and suddenly realized something that I was walking past and ignoring would make a wonderful shot. Since I have been taking my camera with me every time I go outside, I've been getting more pleasing shots by just being more aware.
Why Is This One of Your Favorite Photos?
Because it wasn't set up. It was quite literally just something I was walking past, and I've almost never even noticed how beautiful the sun looked between the winter trees, brightening apartment blocks.
What Did You Learn About Photography With This Photo?
1) Never leave my camera at home!
2) Wake up! How many times have I just walked past a great opportunity, because my mind was on something else and I wasn't thinking "camera"?
