Fall Sunrise Panoramic Photograph at Lake Martin

Fall Sunrise Pahoramic Photo at Lake Martin

Lake Martin, typically a sunset destination for my tour groups, offered a stunning sunrise on this visit. This iconic Louisiana swamp photography location is breathtaking in the fall when the early morning light highlights the rust-colored cypress trees. We were fortunate to have a sky filled with beautiful clouds and patches of blue—a perfect morning for capturing the serene beauty of Lake Martin.

Walking on Water: Canada Geese in Silhouette

The Photograph

This photograph dates back to my film days, taken with a Nikon F5 camera and a 600mm lens at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, Massachusetts. I was along the trail that divides two pools, originally focused on a Goldfinch with the sun at my back. Suddenly, the unmistakable honking of Canada Geese caught my attention from the opposite direction.

How I captured the shot

Instinctively, I pivoted, switched my camera to Aperture priority mode, and quickly fired off the remaining frames of my 36-shot roll of Fuji Velvia film. The result was this shot, along with another in which the rear goose has its wings down while the front one has them up.

Post Processing

The film was sent off for development and reviewed on a lightstand. I later scanned these slides with an Imacon scanner, preserving them digitally in my Lightroom Classic Library, where they continue to remind me of that fleeting moment.

Reflecting on Technology

The Nikon F5, with its advanced autofocus and evaluative metering, made capturing this scene possible, showcasing features that have become standard in today’s digital cameras. This blend of timing, technology, and a bit of luck resulted in one of my favorite captures.

Photographing Backlit Cypress Trees at Lake Dauterive

Lake Dauterive–Fall Cypress Scene in Golden Mist–November, 2018

Six years ago, a customer requested I create a unique shot during one of my fall tours. The vision was clear:

The Shot

1. Would feature Cypress Trees in the water during peak fall color, with a prominent cypress knee in the foreground.
2. Spanish Moss would hang gracefully from the trees.
3. A soft mist, illuminated by the sun with a bright golden glow, would enhance the scene.

Although I had incorporated elements of this vision into many of my fall shots, I had never specifically attempted to create this exact image—until now.

Photographing Backlit Cypress Trees at Lake Dauterive

I knew that Lake Dauterive was the ideal location for this photograph. The lake is home to many ancient Cypress trees, which are essential to achieving the desired composition. Additionally, a protected area near the shore, close to the boat launch, had consistently shown promise during previous visits, often harboring mist in the early morning hours. The sun, rising at approximately 45 degrees from the trees, would provide the perfect lighting to create a bright golden glow in the mist, intensifying the beauty of the shot.

The critical factor was the mist. To capture it, we needed a cold morning with minimal or no wind. Through experience, I've learned that the wind should be from the south for this side of the lake. Alternatively, a similar shot could be achieved across the lake with a north wind.

By selecting the optimal day during the trip and positioning ourselves at the perfect moment, we successfully captured the photograph with the desired bright golden glow.

While, there are never guarantees with Nature Photography, Doing this for the past 20 plus years enables me to maximize the opportunities.