Here is something we can learn from DamianHadjiyvanov about the techniques and story behind this awarded photo. He is a professional travel, event and people photographer and loves traveling with other photographers and learning from each other.
What inspired you to take this photo?
Watching Valeria play with the vintage camera, I was inspired to continue to shoot her and try to capture as many beautiful moments as possible.
Any advice for others trying to capture something similar?
I always try to put something new in my shots, and also I constantly search for a new angle, a new perspective to the subjects I am inspired by. And what really makes one photo a great piece of art is the story telling, such a hard thing to pass sometimes.
Where did you take this photo?
I shot this photo in the studio of a friend in Sofia, Bulgaria. The beautiful model on the picture is Valeria Dimitrova - the girl with the free spirit. She is doing non-commercial art, Acting in physical theatre. Valeria loves absurd literature, European cinema and Turkish jazz. She is open to pose for every little peace of art.
What time of day?
It was at the evening, we were really having fun in the studio and I think you could see that by looking at the photo.
Anything worth sharing about lighting?
I wanted to pass on her cheerful and joyful emotion to the viewer so I used a single light source, a studio flash with a big soft box. It is on a grey background.
What equipment did you use?
The studio wasn't big so I used my Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens with my Canon full frame camera. I made a series of photos of her with the vintage camera and in my opinion this picture is the most emotional.
Did you do any post-processing? If yes, tell us about it!
No matter classic or boudoir style, I love black and white portraits. Removing the colors reveals the people themselves, colors really distract and push the viewer, or at least myself, from seeing more of the "human" part of the art.
What equipment do you normally have in your bag?
For portrait projects, I adore using my prime lenses. Usually, I utilize my Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM for the head-shots and Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM when doing full-body portraits. And of course, I have few cameras, but use my full frame camera for these types of work. Canon EOS 5D Mark III is a great DLSR camera, maybe the one I like most, I use it almost every day.
