sarahallegra

The Eye Of The Storm

This DreamWorld (href="http:--sarahallegra.com-DreamWorld.html) image is a companion piece to Where Earth Meets The Sky: href="http:--sarahallegra.com-images-Wh...
Read more

This DreamWorld (href="http:--sarahallegra.com-DreamWorld.html) image is a companion piece to Where Earth Meets The Sky: href="http:--sarahallegra.com-images-Where%20Earth%20Meets%20The%20Sky%20600.jpg. Both feature goddesses who have control over the weather, but like the weather gods in Greek mythology, they wield their power in very different ways.

Where Earth Meets The Sky shows a benevolent being who brings beautiful clouds and weather, while this image shows the Storm-Bringer. She is not malicious in any way, she is just the balance to the pretty weather. Rain and storms are as needed as beautiful days (and right now in California we could sure use a visit from her!) but there is no malice in her. She is the dark which balances the light.

Read my blog for more about the character and an animated gif showing my editing process! http:--sarahallegra.wordpress.com-2014-08-19-the-storm-bringer-

Model: Katie Johnson, https:--www.facebook.com-KatieJohnsonActress

*Twitter: http:--twitter.com-sarahallegra
*Facebook: http:--www.facebook.com-artosthebear*Blog: http:--sarahallegra.wordpress.com-*Prints: http:--www.etsy.com-shop-SarahAllegraArtistry-*Red Bubble - a wide range of items to choose from! http:--www.redbubble.com-people-sarahallegra*Site: http:--www.sarahallegra.com
Read less

NIKON D5100

settings

Aperture f/5.6 ISO 250 Shutter 10/250

upload_date

Aug, 2014

Views

4746

Likes

+367

Awards

Contest Finalist in Blurry Backgrounds Photo Contest

Top Shot Award

Runner Up in Blurred Subjects Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in Blurred Subjects Photo Contest

Peer Award

+72

Outstanding Creativity

+57

Absolute Masterpiece

+32

Superb Composition

+12

Top Choice

Magnificent Capture

Superior Skill

All Star

Genius

Virtuoso

Master Editing

Emotions

Impressed

Relaxed

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank week 2

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank week 3

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 30 rank week 2

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Behind The Lens

Location

I actually shot this in my mom's living room. There's a hallway above it which allowed me to shoot straight down at Katie Johnson, my model. I laid down a couple of black curtain panels to give myself a clean, dark backdrop.

Time

This was shot in the late morning/early afternoon time. Since I wasn't using direct natural light, it gave me a lot of flexibility with when I wanted to shoot it and we were able to have an un-rushed brunch beforehand. :)

Lighting

I used a combination of natural light from the windows and the lamps already in the living room, moved around slightly. The two combined gave me the lighting that I wanted.

Equipment

I used my Nikon D5100 with a Nikkor 18mm-55mm lens, set at 52mm. I also used my tripod since I was working in a lower-light setting and also use the railing of the hallway I was standing in as extra support.

Inspiration

I wanted to create a sister piece to my image Where Earth Meets the Sky for my DreamWorld series, in which Katie portrayed a wind goddess. In this image, I wanted to show the storm goddess who creates the more turbulent weather.

Editing

I adjusted the colors to be more to my liking. I brought out the reds and golds in Katie's hair and the vibrancy of the purple flower. The blur and look of motion was also all done in post; even though I was shooting in lower light and had to use a relatively long shutter speed, Katie is a pro and held perfectly still. I used a variety of blur options in Photoshop to achieve this look, including radial blur and field blur. I also replicated her hair several times from a number of shots to give the amount of volume and shape that I wanted.

In my camera bag

I've since upgraded to a Nikon D810 for most images, but I still carry my 5100 with me. I also pack several lenses; the 18-55 I used here (although I don't use it as often anymore as it's become rather scratched and beaten up), a 50 prime lens, a 70-300, and a 35-70. I also usually carry one external flash, though I very rarely use it, a flash bouncer, a remote shutter release and a few things to shoot through to create interesting effects; gels, a plastic water bottle top and some iridescent snowflake ornaments. They all create different and fascinating looks.

Feedback

Finding a two-story location like I had access to was very helpful, though you could certainly recreate this angle by carefully climbing a ladder. You could also try shooting this through the cut-off top of a plastic water bottle to achieve a blurred outer portion and clear center in-camera. Otherwise, just try playing around in Photoshop with the huge variety of blur options and see what you like! Also, try using the selective color adjustment layer; it can change the mood and look of your image quite powerfully.

See more amazing photos, follow sarahallegra

sarahallegra

sarahallegra

The Eye Of The Storm

This DreamWorld (href="http:--sarahallegra.com-DreamWorld.html) image is a companion piece to Where Earth Meets The Sky: href="http:--sarahallegra.com-images-Wh... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow sarahallegra

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

This DreamWorld (href="http:--sarahallegra.com-DreamWorld.html) image is a companion piece to Where Earth Meets The Sky: href="http:--sarahallegra.com-images-Wh...
Read more

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