P#3 Morning Light at Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana

A stunning row of trees creates a frame at Oak Alley Plantation

Lewis Kemper: Let's start with this photograph in the morning light -- this is quite interesting. I belong to a photographic group here in Sacramento at the Viewpoint Gallery.

Every year we have an auction. There was a black and white image of a scene of this particular location. I liked it so much about five years ago that I bought it. On the back of it was written "Oak Alley Plantation Louisiana."

About six or eight months later, I was sent by Canon to do a program in New Orleans. I went on the Web and looked up Oak Alley Plantation and found out it's only about an hour and a half away from New Orleans.

I decided that I was going to go to New Orleans early so I could go to this location. I decided that I wanted to go in the morning to see what it was like at sunrise.

I went down there and it was one of those days where it's really hot and humid. As soon as I got out of the car, my camera totally steamed up and it took a while before it would defog and I could even take any pictures.

This plantation has just a row of majestic oak trees -- and then if you walk to the left of where the image is and look the other direction you'd be looking right up to this big plantation home. (click the photo for a larger version)

I was looking away from the home. I knew that the light was coming from my right and coming across, so I positioned myself where I got a great arching and repeated pattern of the lush green majestic oaks.

The light was going to stream in from the right and light up all those trunks and just make it look great. The Oak Alley Plantation was a beautiful, beautiful place.

In summary

If you find a location, like Oak Alley Plantation, that you'd like to capture, do it. Plan ahead, plan your shots and look at the light.