MatteoRotta

History on paper

These are my grandma's hands. She died last month (2016).

These are my grandma's hands. She died last month (2016).
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Canon EOS 1100D

settings

Aperture f/5.6 ISO 1000 Shutter 1/80 Focal Length 55/1

upload_date

Mar, 2016

Views

1290

Likes

+270

Awards

Featured

Contest Finalist in Focus On Fingers And Hands Photo Contest

Peer Award

+111

Superb Composition

+25

Top Choice

+11

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

All Star

Superior Skill

Magnificent Capture

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank

Top 20 rank week 3

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken the Christmas day, at home. My family usually meet and have a great dinner for Christmas. I remember very well it was a sunny day and my family was very close. That was the last Christmas with my Grandma, she left us a couple weeks ago. A great love.

Time

I remember very well it was about 12 am. We were preparing for dinner at home, and waiting for some relatives to come. My grandma Anna was sitting on the sofa, in front of the chimney, and I was talking with her about my job and my life. I remember very well she posed for me for some portraits and she smiled with her very loving and quiet attitude.

Lighting

The light was coming very strong from the windows because it was a very sunny day and it was 12 o'clock. But we were not very close to the window so the lighting coming strong from outside became just the right amout of light were I needed to shoot. The light also made some great reflections on my grandma's glasses, very nice for interesting portraits. Her hands were perfectly covered with light, and her paper-skin made the game of the shadows done.

Equipment

I took this image with a Canon 1100D and the simple 18-55mm Canon lens. I prefere to shoot with natural light, so no flash. No tripod as I needed to move easily around my grandma.

Inspiration

I was looking for a picture that instantly could tell very much about my grandma's story. So taking her portraits my attention was taken by the way she was sitting and particularly holding her hands. That was perfect. I took three shots of her hands, but this was the one.

Editing

I usually adjust contrast in the postprocessing, as I don't love post that much: it ruins the original. Here I wanted the black and white because I think that, if well done, it shows the soul both of the subject and of the photographer. I really think here is a good example of that.

In my camera bag

It depends where I must go and what I must do. I usually have two and more batteries to feel safe. In my bag i take the 18-55mm kit (yeah!) and the Tamron 70-300mm zoom. The Canon 24-70 2.8 is terrific!

Feedback

When photographing people, it would be necessary to be close, to talk and try to know them. To make them feel comfortable is a must. If you know them you can try to look them in a different way. I try to look for the details, as hands for example, and to understand how to use details to represent the whole personality of the subject. My grandfather died many years ago, but my grandmother loved him and the wedding ring you see is a symbol: this detail could pass un-noticed if you don't know the person. The photo must tell a story. I think also hands can be a portrait.

See more amazing photos, follow MatteoRotta

MatteoRotta

MatteoRotta

History on paper

These are my grandma's hands. She died last month (2016).

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow MatteoRotta

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