Google Maps Win & a pre-Christmas tease

CWSkopec

I'm heading out of town tonight for the holidays so haven't had a chance to really "work" this photo (or even decide if it's the best of comps I got the other morning), but I wanted to get it out there and share it.

Back story - Friday after work, I turned my Christmas bonus into a much needed new tripod and set about finding new places around San Diego to photograph (that's where Google Maps come in). After living here almost 4 and a half years, I'm familiar with about 1% of the city and have photographed far less than that, so I spent a good amount of time "scouting" locations via Google Maps alternating between the satellite view and the topo, eventually I found Lake Hodges, which I've driven past and "over" countless times on I-15 (most recently, Friday night on my way to get the new tripod!) and never even knew it was there, just 15 minutes from home. I shot Saturday's sunset and Sunday's sunrise and sunset there (my girlfriend's already outof town for Xmas, so I had lots of time to myself). This is from Sunday's sunrise, I really couldn't have wished for a better one:



Proof that I should invest $25 in a local hiking/things to see type book but in the meantime, Thank you Google Maps! :clap

I've got lots of other comps, and this one could probably benefit from a bit of layer masking and other edits, but those'll have to wait until after the holidays!

C&C welcome, thanks for looking and Happy Holidays! :thumb

anwmn1

Beautifull colors in this shot. Look forward to seeing some more.

CWSkopec

anwmn1 wrote:

Beautifull colors in this shot. Look forward to seeing some more.

Thanks, Aaron!

I've got a ton to go through just from that morning, let alone the 2 sunsets from the weekend, which is good, because I can't decide if I like the sticks in the foreground or not. I bracketted like crazy and will try masking in some more detail to them, but maybe a different comp will work better, one without them sticking up into the sky like this.

brvheart

Chris -

Always a pleasure to see your work. This is not exception, wonderful exposure - well done. Love the colors and setting.

Merry Chritsmas

Brv

redleash

Chris--This is a great shot and I can't wait to see more from your newly discovered shooting location! What a great find!!

Have a safe and happy Christmas and keep shooting!

Lauren

coscorrosa

Really cool, I'm digging the ripples in the foreground. Very Everglades-esque

I think my photography took a giant leap forward when I realized I could get shots near by and didn't have to only shoot while on vacation

sgonen

Awesome Chris, you inspired me and I went to Lake Skopec ... I mean Hodges yesterday morning. Also got a ton to go through and hope to get one or two good ones. BTW, I went down the trail on the south side and as you know there are some great landscape, abstract and water fowl photo ops. This is also when I realized that I need a longer lens.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

CWSkopec

Sorry for the late reply folks, had a very busy, but enjoyable vacation and didn't have a chance to get to a computer (probably a good thing everyonce in a while).

Thanks for all the kind words, I've got a bunch of work to do to get some "finished" works, but I've got a great sky to work off of! Hopefully I can get a couple done before the New Year!

Ron, I totally agree! Up until a week ago, I always figured there was no chance I'd be able to shot a sunrise before work. Now I know that once the days get a little bit longer, I'll have plenty of time to go catch a sunrise and still make it to work. And with a sunrise like this to start, how can I say no?!

Shimon, I was shocked by the amount of birds on the south side of the lake! There are some to be found on the west side, where I took this sunrise, but most seem to be nesting on that side. Time for me to get a longer lens too!

kdog

Stunning capture, Chris. And I like the way you biased it towards that super reflection. Two thumbs up, my man. thumb

CWSkopec

kdog wrote:

Stunning capture, Chris. And I like the way you biased it towards that super reflection. Two thumbs up, my man. thumb

Thank you, Joel!

schmoo

I don't have anything more constructive to add. kdog had it right!

CWSkopec

schmoo wrote:

I don't have anything more constructive to add. kdog had it right!

Thank you, Schmoo!