Hooray! Hooray!
Finally, after multiple attempts I've finally managed to capture the time lapse sequence I've been dreaming of ever since I set eyes for the first time on the famous 'Lonely Tree' on the shores of Llyn Padarn at Llanberis in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.
To get this time lapse a lot of different factors had to come together, a bit like the planets aligning and almost as rare.
First off the shoot has to be around December or January, in order to get the sun rise to the southeast, the direction you are looking at in this location.
Secondly I needed flat calm conditions to allow those beautiful reflections to develop in the waters of Llyn Padarn.
Thirdly I was desperate for clear skies during the night time part of the shoot so I could capture the stars wheeling over the silhouette of the tree and the high peaks of Snowdonia in the far distance.
Fourthly I wanted some light clouds to develop as dawn approaches, so they could pick up the warm light from the approaching sunrise and avoid a bland sky.
Fifthly, as this is the most photographed tree in Wales, I needed to get there very early in the morning to claim a suitable spot for my tripod.
On this morning I started shooting at 4.45am and I was the only photographer there, but by the time I'd finished capturing the almost 1,000 images needed for this time lapse at 9am there were ten other photographers with me, all vying for a decent composition!
And as the time of sunrise came and went all my hopes for this shoot were fulfilled, with dramatic colouration in the clouds over the mountains and valley.
And just after sunrise a clearly delineated cone of golden light spilled upwards over the Pass of Llanberis, framing the Lonely Tree perfectly in a glowing triangle of loveliness!
I wasn't expecting that, and neither were the other photographers with me, as we were all blown away by such an amazing spectacle.
So there you have it, one of my 'bucket list' time lapse shoots ticked off in fine style!
Filename - llyn padarn timelapse 18
Camera - Canon EOS 6DMK2
Lens - 14mm prime
Exposure (start of sequence) - 13 secs @ f/4, ISO6400
Exposure (end of sequence) - 1/250 sec @ f/4, ISO100
Filters - None.
Shooting interval - 15 seconds
Music - Bach Cello Suite No. 1, G Major, Prelude - Cooper Cannell.
Location - Llanberis, Snowdonia, North Wales
This clip - HD 720p, 30fps (4K and 1080p HD formats also available)
Clip duration - 35 seconds
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