BlackthornePhotography
FollowViews
2676
Likes
Awards
Contest Finalist in Hats And Caps Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Creative Reality Photo Contest
Winner in Walking on Bridge at night Photo Challenge
Featured
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Top Ranks
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Franklin, North Carolina, along a public park path called the Greenway. I knew in advance that there were several bridges along it, but in particular, this covered bridge. I thought if I could light up the bridge in sections I might be able to get some interesting shots off.Time
This shot was taken at 1 or 2 in the morning, in very early spring. I remember that the flowers had just started blooming, and the grass was starting to look a nice healthy shade of green again. Though my group was complaining about the cold, it ensured that we would be alone during the shoot. The Greenway is usually active 24 hours a day during the late spring through early fall, and because I was still new at photography at the time I needed a little extra time.Lighting
There are two main lights in this shot, first is a video light sitting on a monopod behind the subject. The second light is closer to the ground, and I believe is a little gas station pop up lantern. It's hidden by the coat, but I wanted to really cut my subject out from the background. It took several attempts and repositioning the subject a few times to get the halo around him.Equipment
This was shot on my XT1 with a 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens. Shot off a basic tripod [I believe it was called a ravelli], with a video light, and a little pop up lantern I got from a gas station.Inspiration
This was the last shot I did on this location, I had originally come out here to feature the subject of this image and his soon to be wife. While he was warming back up from having been posed all over the bridge without any warm clothes on I looked over and saw him standing in his long coat, with the hat on. I thought I might be able to cut a silhouette of him against the tunnel of the bridge, spooky, or intense. Something mysterious. So I began to order him around a bit more. He's still mad about this hah!Editing
I did, it was edited in photoshop. Long before I knew really what I was doing with the program, I just pushed the dials around until I thought I had it nailed. Which of course means I spent hours fumbling around it. I had no idea what a histogram was then, how to adjust a curve. Though I think in the end, as it was years ago, I really only brought the shadows up, adjusted the contrast and clarity. A bit heavy handed, but somehow this shot is still one I get asked about a lot.In my camera bag
I have a set rotation of gear in my bag depending entirely on what I am about to go shoot. My base kit always has my Fuji XT3 with battery grip and an L bracket, a 16-55mm f2.8 lens. Haida m10 filter kit, a remote release [I needed one for so long] spare batteries, my FLM CP34-L4 II 10X Carbon Fiber Series II Tripod, Peak Design Slide, and Pead Design Wrist strap. For landscapes I keep my 10-24mm f4, and a 50-140mm f2.8. My Teleconverter 1.4x lives in the bag usually. For portrait shoots I have my 23mm f2, and a 56mm f1.4, with a lighting bag I keep separately just for portraits. [ I am Primarily a Landscape Photographer] And finally for Wildlife, I keep a 100-400mm lens on standby. It doesn't often travel in my bag unless I know I am going to be in a heavy wildlife area, though in most cases it will be on the camera on a sling. It's a lot of gear and really very heavy even on a mirrorless system, so you have to pick and choose what you're going to use. I suggest getting a hard case for your gear and storing it in there so you know it's both protected, and ready to go when you need it.Feedback
Keep your eyes open, and your camera ready. Sometimes a scene will just fall into your lap, much like this one did for me. However, sometimes you need to finesse things a bit, to get it to fall in line with your vision. It's fine, take your time, and let your imagination work overtime for a bit. No matter if you're new to photography, or an old pro, it's always fun to make a little magic with your camera, so really the best advice I can give you, go chase some light.