jmmaddox
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Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 21
Legendary Award
Runner Up in Visualize Beginnings Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Monochrome Masters Project
Contest Finalist in Special Moments Photo Contest
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Runner Up in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 33
Contest Finalist in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 33
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Magnificent Capture
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Top Ranks
shellandshilo
June 04, 2018
Most precious moment in a persons life have a blessed wonderful life little one a photo for family to treaure
bobtoye
December 25, 2019
Absolutely stunning treatment of an iconic moment. . . The black and white, the negative space, the image really conveys the moment.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in a hospital operating theatre at the birth of my son. The obstetrician encouraged me to bring in a camera (she said camera phone but I stick to my moto that phones aren't cameras). This photo was about five seconds after my son was born. For the first few seconds he was calm then started to cry. Hasn't stopped since....Time
I can tell you the exact day and time but it isn't really relevant in this context.Lighting
Obviously I had no control on the lighting and wasn't allowed a flash. The theatre was reasonably well lit with a spotlight on the operating site. This gave a challenge to not over-expose the child's skin which was being illuminated by a bright spotlight just overhead. I brought down the exposure to avoid over-exposing the subject which made the rest of the room seem dark in comparison. This vignetting effect was enhanced in Lightroom.Equipment
Canon bridge camera SX50. No flash allowed. No tripod (resting on an ECG monitor).Inspiration
No explanation required. I had a shot like this in my mind before going into the theatre.Editing
Post-processing - black & white, bring down the highlights, marginally increase the shadows, a bit of clarity and sharpening. Vertical gradient vignettes at either side of the subject.In my camera bag
Canon bridge camera SX50. The sensor isn't any better than a standard compact camera but it has a decent lens (albeit with limited aperture limits) and can take RAW files. A full frame DSLR would be nice one day.Feedback
It will take 9 month of preparation, at least 18 years of aftercare and cost about >£100k. Consider that carefully if doing it just for the photo. If you do however find yourself in that situation, don't use a camera phone and be careful not to overexpose the subject. Underexposing the shot also allows a low ISO value even though the photo is being taken indoors without a tripod.