ElenaParaskeva
FollowMy family and photography...two things that make me complete as cheesy as that sounds. And my little girl taking an interest in photography...well, it truly cou...
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My family and photography...two things that make me complete as cheesy as that sounds. And my little girl taking an interest in photography...well, it truly couldn't make me happier...
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Kids With Props Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Below My Knees Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Photographers Wanted Photo Contest
Runner Up in Creative Props Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Creative Props Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Inspiring Shots Photo Contest
People's Choice in Photographers at work Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Best Shot Photo Contest
People's Choice in Something Fun Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Photography 101 Photo Contest
Winner in Amazing wonders of the world Photo Challenge
Winner in Close to your Heart Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 9 Photo Contest
People's Choice in Cuddly Toys and Little Toys Photo Challenge
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Top Choice
All Star
Genius
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Love it
Virtuoso
Top Ranks
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in the fields close to my home in Ayia Napa, Cyprus.Time
I was fantasizing about this shoot in my head for a while and it always involved highlights in my daughter's hair. To do that and at the location I wanted it was essential to shoot close to sunset because of the relative openness of the area.Lighting
The sun in my country is very strong and to take a photo with the subject well lit and the background not completely bleached is pretty much impossible without off camera flash...so I bracketed my exposure and then I worked off of the base and negative one.Equipment
I used my 50mm 1.4f lens for this one. The lens is great if you want to tell a story in the image and get a shallow depth at the same time. I have been using this lens for all of my "people" photos for the last 5 months now to challenge myself. Although the other day I used a zoom lens for a macro shot and for a few minutes I was scratching my head thinking that it wouldn't do because it wasn't giving me a close enough shot. I had forgotten that you could actually hm, zoom in?Inspiration
I love, love, love taking photos of kiddos with their favorite toys...especially when you can bring them to life. When it comes to my children, I think of it as something precious I can give to them when they grow up. When I was a kid, times were tough and I went though my childhood with very little. I had a little stuffed cat I used to carry around the whole time until it basically collapsed from overuse..I so wish I had a photo of me with it... This photo is particularly precious to me because my daughter has expressed an interest in photography..she was shooting away at her bear actually as I was happily snapping away..Editing
Two main things..I removed my poor husband's hand holding the bear (I say poor because he always gets dragged into my photo shoots one way or the other) and I blended two different exposures in Photoshop CC very carefully. I say that because when the child's head is obstructing part of the sky (and it had to be that way for me since I shoot lying down), then blending is difficult. Masking and using refine edge became essential.In my camera bag
It depends on what I'm up to..but my bag is pretty much overstuffed these days with my lenses, filters, extra speed light, rechargeable batteries, flash gels, timer, remote, receivers etc. One of these days Something is bound to fall and I won't even notice! But in terms of lenses it pretty much my nikon 50mm 1.4f and the 16-35mm 4f. Oh and of course my nikon D810.Feedback
If you are not keen on working with photoshop, and you don't want a properly exposed subject but a boring and washed out background,then avoid putting your subject with the sun behind it. Instead place the child in front of a tall tree..that way you will get some lovely bokeh..but make sure there is a good distance otherwise your DOF won't be that shallow even if you are at f1.4. And don't be afraid to shoot even after the sun goes down. The light can be great those 10 minutes after sunset...just remember to raise your ISO a bit. Of course the most important thing is to photograph the child with something he or she truly loves so you can get engaging and authentic moments..