MaggieClaire
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in my living room after I'd just finished putting up my Christmas decorations. It was my first Christmas in a new house, in a new city in Texas, and I was very nostalgic, hopeful, and optimistic. "May your days be merry" captured exactly what I was feeling for the upcoming year.Time
It was in the late afternoon/early evening, right when the Christmas lights shine with their almost magical glow.Lighting
I simply used the tree lights - they gave everything on the tree an air of lighthearted mystery, which was perfect for the shot.Equipment
I used my Canon Rebel t5 and my Tamron SP 70-300 mm lens.Inspiration
I'd just bought this ornament, and it expressed everything I was feeling for the Christmas season and following year. I was hopeful for days of joy, peace, and merriment. It was truly a new beginning for me, and I hoped it was the start of a fantastic new chapter in my life.Editing
I played with the lighting to make sure the contrast and sharpness of the photo was optimal. I also used a filter to give the edges a light glow, playing up the nostalgic, dreamlike feeling of the image.In my camera bag
I have two Canon Rebel camera bodies: a t5 and a t6i. I keep two Tamron lenses on theses cameras: an SP 150-600mm and a 70-300 mm lens.Feedback
It's really easy to take photos of ornaments or other stationary objects, but they run the risk of becoming cliché. Try to take shots that capture the spirit of the season or a feeling you wish to express. But at the same time, don't get so caught up in conceptualizing a shot that you start to lose the joy of photography. Experiment, play, and enjoy the process. The sentimental photos that you'll love for years to come will develop as you learn to communicate with your lens.