Lakes are one of my favorite spots to photograph for Google Maps. What attracts me to them is that depending on the weather and time of day you visit, their surface changes like a chameleon.
The sky reflects onto the water that reflects the sky.
Green and blue are the two main colors that dominate. The photo emphasizes the two main features visitors can find- water and lush trees. One of the major sources of water at this preserve is Palm Lake (shown above).
The leaves that frame the image help the viewer imagine themselves walking up to the bank and passing by the overhanging leaves. The mid-morning lighting is gentle on the eyes. To ensure an optimal perspective, I made sure to position myself at the best angle to avoid glares from the water.
White Tank Mountain Regional Park
A lonely cactus is no longer alone, as another cactus peers out of the water. The windmill’s twin peeks out too. A small breeze blurs the copy of the fence that separates the park from a private campsite. By the shore are the faint shadows of a nearby tree’s branches.
The hope of this photo is to entice visitors to explore an area that is not as popular or as well-known by showing the natural beauty and peace here.
Tempe Town Lake Railroad Bridge
Photographing this at day would not have done it justice. At night, the festive lights glow and paint the water. Rainbow hues dance across the lake that has consumed the black of the night sky. The mood is lightened and the night and dark water are no longer scary.
The lighting not only conveys the cheery ambience of the location, but also makes the structure pop out so viewers get a clearer overview of the bridge.
The sun is barely starting to rise, and the houses on the horizon blend together as a silhouette. This allows the focus of the photo to be on the lake instead of having a cluster of buildings in the background to distract the gaze.
There is no wind, so the water is still like glass and the dawn sky’s reflection is perfectly cast onto the lake.
