Sunrise Photo Contest Winner #2

Some of you may have seen the Sunrise Photo Contest winning photo I posted last week through Fine Art America. As it turns out...there were two people with the same amount of votes. Fine Art America automatically selected one of them to be the First Place Winner. I decided it would be appropriate to interview Carol Miller, the Second Place Winner as well and give her some well-deserved exposure. This contest was just for fun. There were no prizes awarded and the voting was done by numerous members and non-members of Fine Art America. Following are the questions I asked Carol and her response to them. 1. What do you particularly like about this photo? First of all, the location. I took this at Gulf Shores, Alabama, which has been a favorite vacation spot for me since I was a little girl. I’ve been so many times I’ve lost count. It’s an incredibly special place for me. Then, there’s the drama: the sun just coming up to signal a new day; the splash of the waves caught in the air and reflecting the sunlight; and the mangled pier on the horizon that was shattered by Hurricane Ivan. Finally, the vibrant color of the sky against the dark color of the deep sea. Needless to say, this is one of my favorite photographs. 2. What was hard about creating this photo? I was using an unfamiliar camera. Also, I was standing in the water trying to keep my balance and shooting without a tripod. Other than that, it was a piece of cake. 3. What was the key attribute that allowed you to create this photo? Right place; right time. I know a certain amount of taking good photos depends upon the skill and artistry of the photographer. But, sometimes, it just boils down to being in the right place at the right time. 4. What photographic equipment did you use to create this photo? I used a friend’s camera because I didn’t have mine with me at the time. It was a Sony DSC-H15. I took the photo at F/4, 1/320 second, ISO – 125, even exposure, 72 mm focal length, and no flash. 5. What kind of tools did you use for post processing? There’s not a lot of post processing on this photo. I used Lightroom to even the horizon, add a hint of vibrance, and enhance the clarity. 6. Is there anything else you would like to share about this photo or your photography in general? Future goals etc. I shoot because I love it. It wouldn’t matter if anyone else saw my photos. I get enough pleasure out of creating personal treasures and memories from my experiences for it to be more than rewarding to me. But, don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t be upset if I were incredibly successful and made a ton of money selling prints. There were many excellent images submitted for this photo contest. What I love about Carol's winning photo is how she was able to capture all of the amazing DRAMA in a single photo and the vibrant colors. Would you like to congratulate Carol or ask her a question? Please feel free to add it in the comments section below. Congratulations Carol! ~Sherri Meyer