PRO

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Nifty54

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

settings

Aperture f/2.2 ISO 1000 Shutter 1/320 Focal Length 50/1

upload_date

Jan, 2016

Views

4086

Likes

+465

Awards

Legendary Award

Manfrotto Advanced Backpack

Amateur Winner Capture Light Colors Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in Capture Light Colors Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in Anything Vintage Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in People And Pastel Tones Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in Vintage And Classic Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in A Blast From The Past Photo Contest

Member Selection Award

Featured

People's Choice in Pastel Tones Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in Pastel Tones Photo Contest

Peer Award

+199

Superb Composition

+45

Absolute Masterpiece

+26

Top Choice

+24

Outstanding Creativity

+18

Magnificent Capture

All Star

Superior Skill

Genius

Virtuoso

Emotions

Impressed

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Behind The Lens

Location

This was taken at an abandoned 1950's gas station on Route 66 just outside of downtown Tulsa.

Time

This was taken just moments before the sun was setting.

Lighting

I was doing this photo shoot for Miss Oklahoma Junior Teen, who has a vintage style. My friend was meeting us after work with "Felix", his classic Bellaire. He had to come a long way to meet us and drove up just before the sun set, so I was shooting rapidly to get as many shots as possible before we lost the light. We were all thrilled with the perfect golden hour light that complimented my subject and the car. I didn't have any time to set up shots, so we just went with it and she did fabulous.

Equipment

Because we were rushed, I didn't use a tripod (though I rarely do anyway). I had a flash on my camera at the time, but I don't think I used it in these. It wouldn't regenerate fast enough to keep up with me. I had a reflector and used it for a few of my shots, but I don't think I did on this one.

Inspiration

This photo was the perfect combination of two vintage friends colliding. My model's style mixed perfectly with Felix and I always wanted to do a vintage shoot. I'm planning to do another one soon, but hopefully in 1920's style.

Editing

I do the majority of my photo editing in Lightroom CC. Many people use photoshop, but I find it takes much longer to process photos. For this photo, I used a fashion preset from Presets Heaven, then did some tweaks. They have some fabulous presets which, for me, is a starting point. I always try to make them my own with tweaks.

In my camera bag

I use a Canon 5D Mark iii. My most used lens is the 24-105mm f4-5.6. But for portraits I often use my 50mm f1.8. I also carry a 70-300mm, a flash with the Gary Fong Lightsphere diffuser. I do not like using flash and generally try to use available light. However, to add a little bump to eyes or to the downside of light, I have a two-sided reflector.

Feedback

Because I generally use available light, I try to schedule my shoots at the time of day with the best light, generally at sunrise or an hour and a half before sunset. I know many photographers plan ahead, but I generally meet my client at a specified location, then wander, exploring and using the natural surroundings. On this photo, I had searched several locations that would fit the '50's look. I knew in advance what color the car was and what her dress would look like, so I tried to pick a location that would compliment those, with plenty of room to move around. I don't usually get to use professional models, so I find my subjects are often nervous. Giving them something to do often helps. In one of the photos in this series, I had her put lipstick on and it turned out to be one of my favorites. In another one, she accidentally honked the horn and it surprised her. I captured her surprised giggle and that is another of my favorites. When people look at my photographs, they always say that I captured their personalities perfectly. If I'm shooting an event, people say that they feel like they were there and experienced it all. To me, a photograph is more than a picture. Rather, it is a story I'm trying to tell. If I can get the subject to feel at ease and to be themselves, then I can capture who they are. I don't believe in perfectly posed photos, with perfectly placed hair and flawless wardrobe. To me, capturing the natural moments of life is more rewarding. Every photographer has a style of his or her own. Some people, like my son, are more about the carefully planned art of photography, but I want people to look at my photographs and see a real person, not a model. Very little of what I do is planned. I evaluate my surroundings, look at the colors, the textures, the clothing, assess my subject's mood, and utilize whatever props they bring or that I find along the way, and change things up on the fly. I can scout a location and think it's nice, but when I'm on the shoot, I may notice the light hitting a wall a certain way, or a color I hadn't noticed before. To me, that is what makes photography fun. And when my client looks at the photograph, they may not like that their hair isn't perfect or that their clothes aren't straight, but they always look at my photos and smile and say, "That's me. That's perfectly me." There is no greater compliment to me. I've been a photographer my whole life, but have only done so professionally recently. I taught myself and am constantly learning. I find that every situation is different and there's always something new to learn. It's easy to compare your work to so many other talented photographers and want to give up, but I've realized that each of us is unique and special in our own way. Being a part of different communities of photographers is inspiring to me and gives me ideas and challenges me to try new things. There are photos I've put on here that I know aren't picture perfect, by many people's standards, but I also know how far I've come. It's fun to walk this journey with others.

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Nifty54

Behind The Lens

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