Great light happens when you least expect it. Well sometimes that is. The fact is, great light rarely happens. Believe me, I know all about it. In fact, I'm an expert on this topic. I spend around 180 days a year in the field either working on personal shooting projects or leading workshops and tours, and while the light is often good it is rarely ever spectacular. I'm also standing with one foot in the past and the other in the here and now. On more than one occasion, workshop clients have made comments to the tune of "well, we could just add a dramatic sky, right?" Yeah, you could, by would you want to I ask. Would that feel right to you? Maybe so. If so, go for it, but please for the sake of full disclosure, label it as such.
That's just my thing I guess. yeah, I use digital technology and technique to it's full effect. I blend exposures, adjust the white balance and often times blend focus for unlimited DOF. Is that cheating. I don't think so, but some old timers might disagree. i don't really care to quite honest. I'm an artist and I I use my tools and trade to convey my vision. That being said, I will not do certain things to an image like add a sky, or a cougar or even a space craft. I prefer to work with what Mother Nature provides. It's a challenge! it makes it worth while spending so many just OK days in the field for when that pee in your pants light happens.
Image details: Nikon D300, 12-24mm, Singh Ray LB Polarizer
2 exposure blend (manually in PS4) 15 seconds for the land and water & 4 seconds for the sky.
