Koaks
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Contest Finalist in We are Family Photo Contest
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Contest Finalist in The Joy of Holidays Portrait Photo Contest
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AlanaRodrigues
December 18, 2014
Well deserved win. You definitely captured the joy and magic of Christmas!
R
December 26, 2014
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
vonHoeckerPhotoArt
May 15, 2015
This photo is the perfect depiction of the warmth and joy that Yuletide brings together with the excitement of the children...Magical!!! comment
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
The Portrait was taken in the comfort of our living room.Time
This portrait had to be taken after dark about 8pm with absolutely no lights on throughout the house except the lights on the tree and the lighting in the surprise Christmas gift box.Lighting
The lighting created in the Christmas gift box is a strand of cluster lights and I have my children help hiding the part plugged into the outlet.Equipment
This was shot using a Canon 5D Mark III with a 85mm EF 1:1.8. No use of a Flash or tripod was used to create this composition.Inspiration
I was inspired by a composition similar to this one and I wanted to create Christmas Magic within my home amongst my children, they may look back at this and feel the magic, the warmth, the love, that Christmas brings as long as you believe. This will be a new Christmas tradition every year from here on out.Editing
Minimal post processing was done. I increased the contrast & reduced the noise as this type of portrait required a higher ISO. I also added a small amount of vignette to help darken the corners of the frame to keep focus towards my children. I also added a bit of dust to create the magical sparkle exploding from the Christmas gift box. Clone stamp was used to remove the strand of lights cord coming out of the Christmas gift box.In my camera bag
The equipment I always have in my camera bag: Canon 7D, Canon 5D Mark III, 85 mm EF 1:1.8, 70-200mm, 35mm 1:2 IS USM, 28-135mm, 600EX-RT Speedlite external flash, 2 batteries, gray cards, lens cleaners, and lens filters.Feedback
To recreate this magical composition have a Christmas tree decorated with lighting. Shoot after dark with no additional lighting except the tree lighting and the strand of Christmas lights in the gift box. My settings I used for this particular portrait ISO 1200 F-Stop 2.8 Shutter speed 1/40. No tripod and no flash was used. Purchase dust overlay to post edit it and make it look like its coming out of the gift box. Have your subjects be surprised once they open their gift. Its a magical time of year and you to can create this beautiful Christmas card cover.