Tired of the rockies yet ? I still have more For now I went out to Elk Island yesterday morning to try and catch a sunrise. I arrived about an hour before it rose and started playing around with some night shots (30s exposure max). I wanted to try the astrotracer functions of the new GPS until I got, but I forgot my cable release (and it was not really dark enough). That said I took some long exposure with the moon in them and quite like them.

This is the other half of Alberta. While we do have beautiful mountains and lakes , we are also a prairie province. This place is only a 20 minute drive from home.

First three are with the DA 12-24 last two with DA* 60-250.

Click on image twice for larger view

#1


#2


#3


#4


Here's the moon yesterday morning with the DA* 60-250 and a heavy crop.

#5

[ramseybuckeye]

Good stuff Dave! I like two throug 4, shows that golden glow of first light building up.

[Jean Poitiers]

Very nice series - TFS - J

[Jimbo]

Grreat series Dave. Love these type of mornings, though you can keep the cold stuff! JIM

[mikeSF]

beautiful work Dave!

[normhead]

Very nice Dave. I applaud you for getting up in the morning. I think getting up in the morning provides wonderful photographic opportunities. And if you think of good light being available mostly in the morning and at sunset, getting up in the morning doubles your photographic opportunities. Unfortunately I find it to be painful. It's good to see you can do it.

[Mechan1k]

Awesome work there Dave .... nice series ... blow 'em up and frame them.

[Sailor]

Cold is beautiful - super job, buddy.

Jer

[vievetrick]

I really like #1 it really is a wall hanger for sure!

[charliezap]

I can feel the cold Dave.Nicely done.--charliezap

[Bob Harris]

#4 is my favorite, thanks for sharing that time of day. I have never been up that early.

[daacon]

Good stuff Dave! I like two throug 4, shows that golden glow of first light building up.

Thanks Tom glad you liked them.

Very nice series - TFS - J

Thanks Jean appreciate you stopping by to comment.

Grreat series Dave. Love these type of mornings, though you can keep the cold stuff! JIM

Thanks Jim , it's been warn the last few days but the deep freeze is coming back I hear ....

beautiful work Dave!

Thanks Mike appreciate the kind words

Very nice Dave. I applaud you for getting up in the morning. I think getting up in the morning provides wonderful photographic opportunities. And if you think of good light being available mostly in the morning and at sunset, getting up in the morning doubles your photographic opportunities. Unfortunately I find it to be painful. It's good to see you can do it.

Thanks Norm, this time of year here , if the weather cooperates it's not too bad. Sunrise was 08:49 and the sunset was around 05:00 pm. I was there about 07:15 got up around 06:00 am. In the summer it's a whole different story and much much longer days.

[daacon]

Awesome work there Dave .... nice series ... blow 'em up and frame them.

Thanks Simon they may make print. (so few do unfortunatley)

Cold is beautiful - super job, buddy.
Jer

Thanks buddy always appreciate you stopping by to comment.

I really like #1 it really is a wall hanger for sure!

Thanks Pat kind words for such a big celebrity

I can feel the cold Dave.Nicely done.--charliezap

Thanks Charlie my feet did get cold that day but that was a result of some poorly tied boots and deep snow.

#4 is my favorite, thanks for sharing that time of day. I have never been up that early.

Thanks Bob - haha I am sure you have stayed up that late though ......

[tessfully]

Dave these are absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful time to be out and about... you are an inspiration!

Would you mind sharing the specifics on the moon shot? I would love to get a shot that clear with that lens. thank you!

[daacon]

Dave these are absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful time to be out and about... you are an inspiration!
Would you mind sharing the specifics on the moon shot? I would love to get a shot that clear with that lens. thank you!

Thanks Tess - sure first you need a really tall ladder and a really big flash

This shot was at ISO 100 , f7.1, 1/20s

Camera was on Tripod with 2 sec timer
DA* 60-250 @ 250mm
ISO was set to 100
I find f8 through f11 to be the preferred aperture for the moon (f71. close enough)
I was using manual mode, spot metering , AF-S, and if I remember correctly auto (matrix) focus (have also used select focus)
Center the moon in the AF window lock focus
Using the green button took a reading then fired off a shot
Looking at the shot and zooming in on the LCD of the camera I look to see how the camera did, it usually overexposes it , so then I play with shutter speed. I don't remember what it started at (maybe 1/10, or slower )
I adjust the shutter speed (in this case increase it) , leave the aperture , take another shot, zoom in and look , repeat process until I am satisfied or in the winter I get too damn cold

Full moon is harder cause it's so damn bright .... but the process is basically the same.

As for pp adjust the usually suspects (exposure, clarity, vibrance , little bit of sharpening and noise reduction and finally the lens correction profile - all in Lightroom IV)