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Gisella

A newborn photo shoot for Gisella. The original image of Gisella was shot in a studio. All of the foliage was added in by bits and pieces to create the final....
Read more

A newborn photo shoot for Gisella. The original image of Gisella was shot in a studio. All of the foliage was added in by bits and pieces to create the final.
Read less

NIKON D4S

Aperture f/4.5 ISO 2000 Shutter 1/80 Focal Length 850/10

upload_date

Sep, 2015

Views

1427

Likes

+301

Awards

Featured

Contest Finalist in Youngsters Photo Contest

Peer Award

+78

Outstanding Creativity

+28

Superb Composition

+24

Absolute Masterpiece

+21

Top Choice

+21

All Star

Genius

Superior Skill

Magnificent Capture

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

The baby was photographed in a safe setting in my studio in Brooklyn, NY under the watchful eyes of her parents.

Time

Thank goodness for the digital age and metadata that can remind me of what time this was shot as opposed to relying on my old memory! This was shot at precisely 10:35am!

Lighting

I shot using available light via window backs along the right side and behind me. I have West facing windows and because of buildings nearby, the light was diffused and soft. I also had a reflector to the left side of the baby.

Equipment

Nikon D4s 85mm lens Handheld reflector camera left

Inspiration

I want to be an elf, living in the woods, in my daily life. Alas, I am a simple human living in New York City. Whenever I can, I use my photographic work to take me to those places that relax me and help me feel at peace and in nature. The background image of this piece was shot in the forests of the Adirondacks. When I saw this baby sleeping so peacefully I thought it would be a perfect marriage to blend the two together.

Editing

Most definitely. The baby had some skin work done in the form of smoothening and removing any blemishes. I also used the liquify tool to tighten up the swaddling and the blanket underneath the baby. I felt that they both were taking too much attention away in the original image and need to be reduced slightly. Since the original image of the baby was shot against seamless in my studio and the forest in the Adirondacks, I then had to get to work to combine the two images appropriately. I composited the two images, adjusting the size of the baby using the transform tool to create the right ratio to be sitting among the ferns. I then added in pieces from other forest images to fill in any gaps and to create a more lush looking image. When I had the image "built" I then added a wash of warm color to the overall piece to tie it together further.

In my camera bag

Nikon D4s and a Nikon D3 Lenses: 24-70 2.8, 105 2.8, 85 1.4 are my go to lenses of choice. SB800 flashes And also packed in my bag should I desire it: 2 LED lights to add a "kiss" of light when wanted. Gels for the flashes, spare batteries, radio receivers, cleaning tools and breath mints - always have breath mints!

Feedback

Discover yourself and what you are most interested in. The more you can bring your own interests into your work the more you can make it your own and feel fully immersed in the creation and process. I struggle if I try to emulate another's work because I don't "feel" it and then I don't enjoy it. In my journal I am always writing down things that inspire me - shapes, colors, objects, animals, places, etc. If I am creating a composite and I need "something" in it but I don't know what, I open my journal. Because I am quite familiar with these things that interest me, I can then pull in an element that not only looks good, but makes sense. And of course, if you are doing work with babies, please be sure to follow ALL safety precautions - you can find plenty of videos to give you more information and direction. Even better if you can assist with someone experienced or take in-person classes and workshops.

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Gisella

A newborn photo shoot for Gisella. The original image of Gisella was shot in a studio. All of the foliage was added in by bits and pieces to create the final.... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Photomuse

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A newborn photo shoot for Gisella. The original image of Gisella was shot in a studio. All of the foliage was added in by bits and pieces to create the final....
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.