Photo opportunity crowd-source suggestions

[kvbarkley]

This weekend I am going on a whirlwind photo tour of the California Coast.

Mainly to get pictures of this:

https://www.experiencepismobeach.com/beach-and-outdoors/monarch-butterflies/

However, I think I will also take in this in Paso Robles:

https://www.sensoriopaso.com

I will probably be there after sunset.

Any ideas for images, settings and techniques?

[Waddizzle]

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@kvbarkley wrote:

This weekend I am going on a whirlwind photo tour of the California Coast.

Mainly to get pictures of this:

https://www.experiencepismobeach.com/beach-and-outdoors/monarch-butterflies/

However, I think I will also take in this in Paso Robles:

https://www.sensoriopaso.com

I will probably be there after sunset.

Any ideas for images, settings and techniques?

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Bring a tripod.

When it comes to sunrises and sunsets, you can get some of the best shots when the sun is just below the horizon, and is lighting up the underside of any clouds in the sky.  

Also, keep looking behind you as the light changes.  

Sometimes you can stunning shots of the sky with the sun at your back when the sun is just below the horizon, too.

[kvbarkley]

I am going to be there an hour or so after sunset, so it will be totally dark.

[Waddizzle]

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@kvbarkley wrote:

I am going to be there an hour or so after sunset, so it will be totally dark.

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I switched devices and checked out your links.  COOL!  Take a tripod, anyway.  Looks like an awesome experience.

[kvbarkley]

Yeah, I had never heard of the Field of Light before.

I will have my travel tripod, not the best, but better than me. 8^)

[kvbarkley]

I just read the website, no tripod's allowed. 8^(

[RobertTheFat]

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@kvbarkley wrote:

I just read the website, no tripod's allowed. 8^(

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And what constitutes a "professional camera" in this context?

[kvbarkley]

Hopefully not a Rebel. I hate weasely words like that.

[shadowsports]

KV,

Probably too late..  Hoping you can take a 70~200 f2.8 and a 16~35 f2.8

I think a wide angle lens at the butterfly grove won't do as well as a zoom since you'll want to capture some detail at distance.  The butterflies "cluster" themselves together.  I visited one in Pasdena many years ago.

The 16~35 will do well capturing that sea of lights and be fast enough after dusk.  But I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.  Too bad about the tripod.  I'm sure they get knocked over by the hoard. 🙂

Looking forward you your pics.

[Waddizzle]

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@kvbarkley wrote:

Hopefully not a Rebel. I hate weasely words like that.

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This is where my M3 becomes handy.  It is not much larger than a pack of cigarettes.  The 22mm f/2 lens that I like to much is a pancake lens, and it gives the equivalent angle of view of 35mm on a full frame.