A lone acacia tree stands tall among the dry grass of the plains in Masai Mara, Kenya.
A lone acacia tree stands tall among the dry grass of the plains in Masai Mara, Kenya.
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Remote And Isolated Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The African Continent Photo Contest
Runner Up in Rule Of Seconds Photo Contest vol1
Contest Finalist in Rule Of Seconds Photo Contest vol1
Runner Up in Fields and Forests Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Fields and Forests Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Isolate And Simplify Photo Contest
Winner in Trees Only Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Less Is More Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Genius
Great Find
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Behind The Lens
Location
"Peace in Solitude" was taken on safari in the plains of Masai Mara, Kenya.Time
This photo was captured outside of the ideal "golden hour," just before lunch. However, as is often the case in the plains, a scattering of dust helped diffuse the harsh light, and provided a golden opportunity while many other photographers were settling in for their mid-day siestas.Lighting
This photo was taken between golden hours, yet I was pleasantly surprised by the gorgeous, golden light, courtesy of a hazy dust layer that was blowing across the Kenyan plains. At this moment, the sun peeked through a grouping of clouds, and laid down a beam of light seemingly right upon this lone acacia tree. The moment swept me off my feet, and I had to yell up to the driver to thrown on his brakes to stop for this must-have photo.Equipment
This was shot handheld--though braced on the safari jeep--with a Canon 5D Mark II and an EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II lens.Inspiration
The golden light focusing just on this tree, and the sheer solitude of it among an endless plain of consistent grass, grabbed my attention and "forced" me to capture the scene. I considered a variety of compositions, playing with the rule of thirds, and ultimately decided that this was best represented while breaking with those rules and positioning the acacia tree dead center to provide an almost unexpected composition, but one that balanced the foreground grass and background sky perfectly around the lone tree. I felt this best communicated a sense of solitude, but also one of peace, relaxation, and balance, hence the title "Peace in Solitude."Editing
In Lightroom and Photoshop, I did basic adjustments including contrast, whites, blacks, vibrance and clarity. I also slightly strengthened the natural vignette that already existed at the lower edge of the frame.In my camera bag
Camera Bodies: Canon 5D Mark IV and Canon 5DS. Lenses: Canon 16-35mm f/.8L II, 24-70mm f/2.8L II, 70-200mm f/2.8L II, 200-400mm w/ 1.4X f/4L, 35mm f/1.4L, 85mm f/1.4L, tele-extenders (1.4X and 2X), and the Sigma 14mm f/1.4. My tripods are all Manfrotto, and I also always carry Canon SpeedLights, PocketWizard remote triggers, cable shutter releases, and a handful of filters (ND, Graduated ND, Polarizers, etc.). For studio lighting and modifiers, I'm all Elinchrom.Feedback
As mentioned, I think this photo works so well specifically because it breaks with the rule of thirds. Often times, breaking the rules can bring the greatest rewards, though it is critical to first understand the rules in order to pull it off effectively. Reflections often lend themselves to this type of horizon-at-the-center composition, or scenes such as this where a singular stationary object needs to communicate a sense of place, but not a sense of motion.