Lake Mendota, Madison, WI (hicompress)

            Lake Mendota, Madison, WI.  To purchase a copy of this photo, contact me at 608-692-5467.

     Since this is my most popular photo on Flickr, a few words about it.  During the height of fall colors, Jon Koppa, publisher of postcards by Argonaut press, invited me to go up in a small plane to photograph the Lake.  It was exceptionally clear, important for getting the best colors.  I was in front next to the pilot.  Since I have a pilot's license myself, I knew how to direct the pilot towards the right place for the best photo.
    I reasoned that the wooded points would make a good foreground, and that the photo had to include the Capitol in the distance.  I was lucky there was a race of University sailboats in front of the Capitol.  As we maneuvered into the right position, I saw the speedboat, and knew it had to be part of the photo to provide some action.  Again that was luck, but I had to work very fast and accurately to capture the boat.  I had to ask the pilot to raise the wing so it wouldn't be in the photo.
     I used a Nikon 35 mmm SLR, probably using kodachrome to enhance contrast.  I used a 105 mm mild telephoto lens to compress distance, so the Capitol would appear larger.  A lens hood was important to reduce flare.  Most importantly, I shot out the open side window so the photo wouldn't be distorted by glass or bothered by dirt.  Before the flight, we had to remove the latch which prevents the window from opening all the way.
     Finally, Mr. Koppa photoshopped the photo, greatly boosting the color, and also "cloning" a number of the brighter maples to enhance the fall colors.
     So, a number of things were planned in advance: camera angle, 105 mm lens, film, time of day/year/weather, and opening the window.  The sailboats and motorboat were luck, but speed and skill were necessary to get the right composition.
   

Taken on: October 23, 2009

Tags:

David Thompson

Ambience Photography

lake

boats

madison365

mendota

aerial

photo

fall

colors

Picnic

point

second

capitol

sail

boat

race

motor « less

Sets appears in: • Madison's Lakes--scenic and postcard views • Madison and surroundings

Groups appears in: • Isthmus

Stats: 26,220 views / 1 comment

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