spencerhughes

Into the light

Taken in an abandoned insane asylum.

Taken in an abandoned insane asylum.
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Canon EOS REBEL T3i

settings

Aperture f/4.0 ISO 400 Shutter 1/60

upload_date

Sep, 2014

Views

1749

Likes

+288

Awards

Contest Finalist in Fairytale Portraiture Photo Contest

Featured

Contest Finalist in Creating Mood With Lights Photo Contest

Peer Award

+79

Outstanding Creativity

+37

Superb Composition

+25

Absolute Masterpiece

+13

Top Choice

Superior Skill

All Star

Magnificent Capture

Exceptional Contrast

Genius

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Behind The Lens

Location

This was taken at the basement morgue of an abandoned insane asylum in central Illinois. They still provide private tours which meant it still has electricity for the light and our smoke machine. The combination was beautiful soft light.

Time

This was taken in the afternoon. But given that we were in the basement of an insane asylum with no windows the time was irrelevant for the photo. It was nice to know the sun was shining outside whenever you heard a strange bump in the darkness.

Lighting

The light was a combination of fog from our fog machine and light from the overhead surgery light. Other then that we were in total darkness.

Equipment

This was shot handheld with my Canon T3i, with an L series 24-105mm lens. No other equipment other then the constant light and fog.

Inspiration

The light was from the autopsy room. The owners gave us unlimited access so we pulled the table out and placed the model (Marina) inside. Marina had so much fun exploring the abandoned asylum while taking photos. While she was under the light she repositioned herself on her seat (a creepy child's tricycle we found in the basement) I noticed how interesting she looked with her hand above her head. I asked her to do it again and this was the result.

Editing

I process my photos in Lightroom. For this photo, I adjusted the white balance, raised the blacks and general playing with sliders until it felt right.

In my camera bag

Apart from my Canon T3i, 24-105mm, Sigma 10-20mm and Nifty Fifty. While I'm exploring abandoned buildings I always carry multiple flashlights. You don't want to caught in an insane asylum basement and have your only flashlight go out.

Feedback

I guess the trick was a totally dark room with a constant light source and a fog machine. Then it's just balancing the amount of fog with the light.

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spencerhughes

spencerhughes

Into the light

Taken in an abandoned insane asylum.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow spencerhughes

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