DrewHopper
FollowHoi An, Vietnam, 2017
Hoi An, Vietnam, 2017
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was captured in a bustling marketplace near Hoi An, Vietnam.Time
Early morning around 6am on a steamy rainy morning.Lighting
I wanted to capture this bustling market place in a more simplistic way, which meant that I had to eliminate the messy cluttered background from my frame. The only way other than getting super low to the ground was to underexpose the scene. The lighting was already sublime, so it was rather simple to get the correct exposure worked out. The rain made for an interesting glowing effect on the tarp which is what initially caught my attention.Equipment
This was taken with the Fujifilm XT2 with the Fujifilm 23mm f/2 prime lens (no flash).Inspiration
As mentioned above, I wanted to capture a minimalistic image from a busy enviornment which would challenge me and have me think outside of the box. I tried various techniques and vantage points at this market, but nothing really stuck, until I discovered this awesome green tarp hanging from the ceiling and knew it was a backdrop that could lead to a great image. I had been working on a little series of underexposing shadow areas to make the highlights pop out of the image, so this was another take on that concept.Editing
Minimal post-processing was done to this image as it didn't require much tweaking in post. The main adjustments made were to the contrast of the shadow areas to deepen the blacks. I also adjusted the white balance from warm to a slightly cooler tinge which complimented the green tarp hanging from the market ceiling. These minor adjustments were made within Adobe Lightroom before sharpening and saving for web.In my camera bag
These days I only carry the Fujifilm XT2 and Fujifilm 23mm f/2, which is the equivalent of a 35mm lens on a full frame sensor. I find that 35mm is the best focal length for the style of street photography that I do. I carry the essentials for this kit, such as batteries, memory cards and of course a couple of lens clothes and a rocket blower for cleaning the lens after use in dusty environments. I'm also now carrying a beautiful classic Leica M4 (35mm film camera) with Voigtlander Skopar 35mm f2, which I shoot mostly black and white film.Feedback
Be sure to meter your scene correctly for the highlights, which will then underexpose your shadows resulting in a more contrasty image. The best lighting for this kind of image is when the light is harsh, usually sunny days when the light is directly overhead. Patience is the main thing because you really have to wait and time your subjects when they pass through the key light areas.