Gillsvannet

It is not every day one wakes up to as beautiful and clear light as we did this May 1. 2016, on this part of the country. Though it was morning fog over the Topdalsfjord, the sun shine through and told me that today I could try to take some pictures at the Gillsvannet. I pass here every day at work and have often seen idyllic and mystery here when the morning fog is low and is about to ease the warming from the sun. And, today came the opportunity

Morning Haze

Often when I have been on my way to and from work, from Justneshalvøya, I have noticed how idyllic the Gillswater can be in the morning. Especially when the morning haze is about to light and the small islands emerge in the light. Then I plan to get down here with my camera and tripod. As I got up and got out of the windows, the disco was low, I thought this might be the day to get down here. So thought so done, with a camera and a toy on a tow. And, we got a great nature experience, much because of the clear air and the intense morning light. The temperature was around three degrees.


Morning haze seen over Gillsvannet, Justnes, Justneshalvøya, Kristiansand

EXIF: May 1, 2016. Time 7:44:42. Closes 1/1250 sec. Apperture f / 8.0. Focal length 15mm. ISO 320,
Camera Canon EOS 7D, Canon Canon EF-S15-85mm f / 3.5



Fog reflection

I have to admit that I was quite afraid of losing something in the water, or for that matter afraid of getting into the water here, and then losing the speckled water surface.
Here I have been keen to bring the seaweed to the water's edge, as this brings lifte and depth to the picture






Fog reflect in the mirrow of Gillsvannet, Justnes, Kristiansand

EXIF: May 1, 2016. Time 7:45:43. Closes 1/1250 sec. Aperture f / 8.0. Focal length 15mm. ISO 320,
Camera Canon EOS 7D, Canon Canon EF-S15-85mm f / 3.5



Island frame

Using elements in the foreground is called "framing". As I do here, a frame is created that purely visually puzzles the eyes to focus on the center of the image, creating an optical depth.




By using framing technick, we got an optical effect that gives depth to the picture

EXIF: May 1, 2016. Time 7:48:35. Shuts 1/1000 sec. Aperture f / 10.0. Focal length 21mm. ISO 320,
Camera Canon EOS 7D, Canon Canon EF-S15-85mm f / 3.5



Gillsvann

Then it becomes a taste of what one likes and thinks gives the best result. Much is about finding balance, calm and eyes resting. Or creative thoughts, imagination and mystery.



Gillsvann, idyllic with the morning fog. Justnes, Kristiansand

EXIF: May 1, 2016. Time 7:50:07. Closes 1/1250 sec. Aperture f / 10.0. Focal length 15mm. ISO 320,
Camera Canon EOS 7D, Canon Canon EF-S15-85mm f / 3.5



May faitful companion

And, with me on my trip, my faithful companion, the Bichon Frisé, Royal Aso. When I'm going for a photoshoot like this, I need to get in position before the conditions change. It's a test of my patience, because he's well accustomed to the speed at which he puts many inspections of grassstroke and as many markings. But, we got down on time and when I could get out he took a "bichon blitz" so the sand sprayed. Before he sat up and considered me and what I was doing.  Do you see him?


The mans best friend, the dog, the faitful companion, follows me to the photosession

EXIF: May 1, 2016. Time 7:53:03. Shuts 1/250 sec. Aperture f / 10.0. Focal length 15mm. ISO 320,
Camera Canon EOS 7D, Canon Canon EF-S15-85mm f / 3.5



Greppestølholmen

One of the experiences of this trip is that both eyes and fingers must hang on. Because the light changes quickly, after clouds and fogs move quickly and both cover the landscape and reveal new elements. Then one should know the camera and know which buttons and reel to use to get the right settings.
Eventually, the fog was so close that the autofocus did not make the picture sharply, so I had to switch to manual focus. It added another challenge to being gloved with.




Greppestølholmen, a small island inside Gillsvann, Justnes, Kristiansand

EXIF: May 1, 2016. Time 8:06:27. Closes 1/6400 sec. Aperture f / 5.0. Focal length 50mm. ISO 320,
Camera Canon EOS 7D, Canon Canon EF-S15-85mm f / 3.5



Gillsvann mirrow

Eventually, the fog begins to light while the water is still mirrored, so the clouds are reflected and give an exciting dynamic to the image.


Fog mirrow in Gillsvann, Justnes, Kristiansand

EXIF: May 1, 2016. Time 08:08:24. Closes 1/3200 sec. Aperture f / 3.5. Focal length 15mm. ISO 320,
Camera Canon EOS 7D, Canon Canon EF-S15-85mm f / 3.5


Gillsvann landscape

Gillsvannet is located in the eastern part of Kristiansand municipality, and is encircled for most of the highlands, with hiking, biking and skiing trails all around the water. My round trip I have measured about 8 kilometers, which takes about one and a half hours to walk around. At one end of the water lies Fagerholt and Gimlekollen, while at the other end we find Justvik, and to the left in the picture Justnes and Justneshalvøya.
At the end, as far as you can see at the end, lies the path to Kristiansand Kayak Club, where it is trained and competed in so-called flatwater pavement. To the right of the picture lies Gillshytta, which is owned by a religious organization, and often gathered for devotion and coffee collections.
Gillsvann is freshwater just three feet above sea level, which flows out in Justvik and Eidebukten.


Gillsvann, the small lake east in Kristiansand municipality

EXIF: May 1, 2016. Time 8:12:38. Closes 1/640 sec. Aperture f / 11 Focal length 15mm. ISO 320,
Camera Canon EOS 7D, Canon Canon EF-S15-85mm f / 3.5


Springflowers at Gillsvann

Of course, I had to try how the use of Hight Dynamic Range (HDR) would produce results, and it did not get the worst.

The spring is a great time of the year, when the seasons flowers color the world, after a long winter.


Spring is a wonderful time of the year, where the flowers comes out and color the world

EXIF: May 1, 2016. Time 08:01:20. Closes 1/320 sec. Aperture f / 11 Focal length 15mm. ISO 320,
Camera Canon EOS 7D, Canon Canon EF-S15-85mm f / 3.5



Dalsvegen

As mentioned initially, this morning was very clear and fresh, as this picture shows. It's rare I see a clear light and so fresh a sky. And when one gets pictures like this, life can not be described as anything but perfect.

Dalsvegen is the road in the end of the water, which leads to some small farms and countryside villages.



EXIF: May 1, 2016. Time 8:10:50. Shuts 1/160 sec. Aperture f / 11 Focal length 15mm. ISO 320,
Camera Canon EOS 7D, Canon Canon EF-S15-85mm f / 3.5