Lake Limedes at sunset near Falzarego Pass - Late September in Dolomites, Italy.
All day, the boring drizzle,with totally low cloudy weather, and what to do. Still, my wife and I decide to do short hike to Limedes Lake before sunset. And so halfway from the parking lot to the lake, I recall that I did not take a tripod,then I look into the sky and decide not to come back for it.
Big mistake.
After we arrived, we were a little walking around the lake and just when we decided to come back that suddenly happened. The portal opened with amazing kind of lighting condition. Dynamic range was unbelievably huge, and I think that I barely managed to get something from handheld photos (I even tried and bracketing three exposures by hand holding) in tough processing.
After totally cloudy weather all day such a change of weather conditions I have not experienced yet and seen such a deep red glowing light in a small period of time and this was unbelieveble surprise for me. My wrong estimation of weather forecast, because of that, I left a tripod in the car, have caused panic in the field and later headaches in front of the computer screen.
Unfortunately, some technical shortcomings do not qualify this photo for my portfolio.
I hope my experience will help somebody.
The story of my mistake
Fantastic capture despite your mishap! I had something similar happen to me in fall last year, although not in the Dolomites. I still remember wishing some other photographer good light as I was leaving the location. Quarter of an hour later, when I was on the road, the sky went all out in orange and red tones and lots of puffy clouds to pick up the color.
Ever since that day I never leave the site before blue hour sets in.
Thanks Thorsten! It's nice to share your experience and useful advice.
Radisa, it may not be worthy enough for your portfolio but I would have it printed. I find that a lot of so so images take on another life when printed................fine art paper possessing texture.
Personally, I drag along my monopod when hiking as i use it as a walking stick as well..............
............and it's still a great image!
Thanks for the tip regarding printing Terry and on the idea about using monopod :)
Thanks so much!
TAKE IT!!!! even if you think you won't need it .....TAKE IT!!!!
"its better to have and not need than to need and not have"
one of the oldest and truest expressions of all time.
FANTASTIC mistake love this shot i think i would go back try and get the same composition and composite this would be a shame to scrap
Thanks a lot Joseph!
I will not throw it, just will not enter in portfolio.
Just out of curiosity, and since we all seem to love your "mistake", would you mind saying what technical shortcomings disqualify it for you, Radisa? Dynamic range-related issues?
I'm sure we've all made the same mistake. And tell ourselves "never again!" And do it again... sigh...
Most problems, this photo has with the sharpness and with grain in the dark partitions, I'm improved somewhat in the processing, though it is not a quality which I think is satisfactory. Thanks Chris!