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MarcoTocco

Up The Road

NIKON D7200

settings

Aperture 8/1 ISO 100 Shutter 1/15 Focal Length 140/10

location

Augusta, Missouri, US

upload_date

Apr, 2022

Views

432

Likes

+49

Awards

Achievement in Originality

Contest Finalist in Yellow Moments Photo Contest

Peer Award

+12

Absolute Masterpiece

Superb Composition

Outstanding Creativity

Magnificent Capture

Top Choice

All Star

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I am from a small town in Missouri just west of St Louis along the Missouri River. The area is called “Little Rhine” because it looks like Germany along the Rhine. Very hilly with a balance of farms and forest. Early mornings quite often have a soft fog. It is so quiet and peaceful. I wanted to share it with the world.

Time

As I said a moment ago, early morning. It’s very hilly and almost every drive in the area looks like this.

Lighting

As far as lighting. If you are patient and ambitious enough to work with nature (get up early) it is not hard to capture that perfect moment. Also know your area or scout ahead of time. Know where the sun comes up and goes down. In most cases, “that moment” rarely just happens. You have to put yourself there.

Equipment

This picture was a hand held. I happened to be driving from one location to another. I was in a hurry and drive through it. As I went by I told myself, go back and get it. I pulled into a gravel road and ran down the road about 100 yards. No time for tripod so I really had to calm my adrenaline and heart rate down since I was shooting with a more closed f-stop. I took my polarizer off. Just had enough time to grab my camera and 18-150 Lens.

Inspiration

The photo speaks for itself. Its simple but I feel it can have a different meaning to each viewer. It can be interpreted as the opening scene of a story and the viewer fills in their own narrative. What mysteries are waiting for me up the road? What will I discover around the bend?

Editing

I don’t like to manipulate my work too much. I was an illustrator many years back so I understand color and narrative. I also wrote and directed tv commercials for about 30 years. I learned very early that subject, composition and the quality of capture are the most important elements. I develop my work in Lightroom just enough to “clean” them up and color correct. More than that is adding an unnecessary element, and most likely ruin the picture and the story. I believe the picture should not look manipulated unless that is your goal.

In my camera bag

I carry: tripod (of course), D7200 Nikon camera, in my bag - lenses: 10-14 sigma, 18-150 Nikon, 55-300 Nikon, 150-600 sigma. Always carry extra battery and cleaning equipment. A polarizer for each lens and for my 10-24 lens (landscape) I carry three sets of ND filters. I could not shot most shots without my wireless remote control shutter. Love it.

Feedback

Understand your camera and how it works, it’s capabilities and limitations. Experiment with it in and around your home until you are quick and accurate with your setting. I had seconds to set camera and take the shot before fog lifted and sun came out. As I said earlier, get up and out early. If you don’t get the shot go back another day and if not, go another day. Be patient. I have sat for 2 hours for a single shot. And most of all, don’t pass opportunity up. If you’re on foot in the city or driving in the countryside observe everything and if you get “that feeling” act on it. With digital photography you can always delete but you can not go back.

See more amazing photos, follow MarcoTocco

MarcoTocco

MarcoTocco

Up The Road

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow MarcoTocco

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