olcia1802

Simmetrical bicycles

Picture taken from a baloon

Picture taken from a baloon
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NIKON D5000

settings

Aperture f/6.3 ISO 200 Shutter 1/160 Focal Length 450/10

upload_date

Apr, 2015

Views

177

Likes

+11

Awards

Outstanding Creativity

Superb Composition

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this picture from a baloon in KrakÃ³w (Poland). There is a baloon used as a view point, as during the short flight you see the panorama of the city. I was on a trip with my boyfriend and, as always, had my camera in hand, when I noticed this scene.

Time

It's surprising, but this picture was taken at midday! The shadows are so long, as it was November, so the sun was quite low already and there were some clouds - this combination created such an effect.

Lighting

All the light in this picture is 100% natural.

Equipment

To take this picture I used the camera Nikon D5000 with a kit lens Nikkor 18-105 with a polarisation filter on it. Picture was taken without tripod or any other equipment.

Inspiration

What caught my attention during the flight, was not only the beautiful view of KrakÃ³w, but also the game of shadows happening on the ground. I had a homework to do for my photography class and the subject was: "From above do you see more or less?". So I was taking pictures of walking people and their shadows, geometrical shadows of benches etc, when I noticed this scene. At first it was just an impulse: "Another interesting shadows!". But then I realized there was an amazing simmetry on the picture and I knew this was it.

Editing

I knew from the very beginning I'd have to crop the picture a bit, as even using 105mm, there was still some unwanted space on the left-upper side. I converted the picture into black&white, as the colors didn't bring any meaning, they were only disturbing and this picture is about the shapes. Eventually, I made the contrast bigger to enlarge the effect.

In my camera bag

As I am a small woman, I don't like carying heavy equipment and my bad is as small as possible. Lately, I've changed the camera, as my old one got broken, so now I use Nikon D610. I use only 2 lenses - Nikkor 50m 1.4G and a kit Nikkor 24-85. I really don't need more - there's so much happening around and I don't want to be changing lenses when my perfect picture has already happened. I usually take street pictures or do fashion shoots, so these lenses are all I need. I always have the UV filters on (to protect the lens) and polarisation filters in my bag, together with numerous memory cards an emergency battery, just in case. Of course, I always have the set for cleaning the lens. Sometimes I also take an external flash, but only when I consider it can be needed. Altogether, my photo bag is smaller than my daily female bag.

Feedback

You have to be a careful observer. Choose the part of the day, when there are long shadows (or just notice is at an unexpected moment, like me). Just walk around and look for the geometrical figures made by the shadows and try to capture its interesting connections with people or objects. Don't go thinking you have to take a picture. Just go for a nice walk and wait for the moment when the situation just "speaks" to you. As my professor of photography says: "If nothing speaks to you, at least you'll have a nice walk". Good luck!

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olcia1802

olcia1802

Simmetrical bicycles

Picture taken from a baloon

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow olcia1802

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