The Midnight Cowboy
Sep, 2012Views
2685
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Awards
People's Choice in Motorcycle POV Photo Challenge
People's Choice in A Shot in the Dark Photo Challenge
Featured
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Peer Award
Exceptional Contrast
Jaw Dropping
Superior Skill
Genius
Emotions
Impressed
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Top 10 rank
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Top 30 rankTop 10 rank week 1
BrianpSlade
November 21, 2012
Thanks for all your very kind comments....well appreciated in fact...Brian (Brize)
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PRO+
Platinum
TraceElementsPhotography
November 21, 2012
Beautiful photograph. congrats on the feature. Much deserved!
carolyn_anderson_860
November 22, 2012
I love this shot! Nice capture congrat's on your feature as well!
Ultimate
PRO
snowdon
December 01, 2012
Congratulations on your well deserved feature, a special photograph, great contrast. Awarded
Neman_aj
December 08, 2012
I saw your photo on this site before and forgot all about it. I found it accidentally. One of my favourite ones!
Platinum
PRO+
PRO
Platinum
Grey_Fulton
November 03, 2013
Damn, I really enjoy and appreciate your photography. Excellent photos!
PRO+
Avisagie
November 12, 2013
Photo Critique Project - to be able to provide feedback on your image could you please provide the following information
Please describe your images – tell us what you wanted to express in the photo, what goal you were trying to achieve, what you particularly like about the result, what you feel may be missing or flawed, special efforts you made, or any other information that may help the viewer to understand your work.
Please give as much technical detail as possible, such as focal length of the lens, aperture and shutter speed setting, film (brand and type), time of day, weather, season, lighting conditions, difficulties of composition, camera on tripod or hand-held, and any other relevant information. Data on make and model of camera, lens or tripod, can help viewers in their own choice of equipment.
Please describe your images – tell us what you wanted to express in the photo, what goal you were trying to achieve, what you particularly like about the result, what you feel may be missing or flawed, special efforts you made, or any other information that may help the viewer to understand your work.
Please give as much technical detail as possible, such as focal length of the lens, aperture and shutter speed setting, film (brand and type), time of day, weather, season, lighting conditions, difficulties of composition, camera on tripod or hand-held, and any other relevant information. Data on make and model of camera, lens or tripod, can help viewers in their own choice of equipment.
BrianpSlade
November 13, 2013
Hi Andre, here's the info that you requested....
This shot was taken (once again) at Reading University...Camera settings can be seen to the right of this page.
The concept behind the image is a result of ideas that I usually write down or sometimes roughly sketch on a note pad (in this case).
Originally, I wanted a woodland type of shot but due to heavy rain the previous day we were unable to get the bike into the wooded area and the model & bike would have been absolutely caked in mud. I finally decided on an area in a field near some buildings which is visible to the top left of the image.
I wanted a typical low angle shot for this image so once again I found myself lying face down on the wet grass. A few test shots were fired as I was looking for just enough light to fall on my subject (1.9 M) with the focal length of the Camera being 28mm.
My Apollo Wescott softbox was once again used but the light source was lowered via my light stand for this desired look.
Shutter priority was the camera mode with an Auto white balance setting.
My only regret in this image was that my model turned up with no riding boots but the show must go on as some say!
There was very little post production used in this image apart from one or two lights from the distant buildings removed with the spot remover tool in Photoshop. Some clarity was added around the bike by using a 'softbrush' with Opacity down to around 70%.
I hope that helps?.....Brian
This shot was taken (once again) at Reading University...Camera settings can be seen to the right of this page.
The concept behind the image is a result of ideas that I usually write down or sometimes roughly sketch on a note pad (in this case).
Originally, I wanted a woodland type of shot but due to heavy rain the previous day we were unable to get the bike into the wooded area and the model & bike would have been absolutely caked in mud. I finally decided on an area in a field near some buildings which is visible to the top left of the image.
I wanted a typical low angle shot for this image so once again I found myself lying face down on the wet grass. A few test shots were fired as I was looking for just enough light to fall on my subject (1.9 M) with the focal length of the Camera being 28mm.
My Apollo Wescott softbox was once again used but the light source was lowered via my light stand for this desired look.
Shutter priority was the camera mode with an Auto white balance setting.
My only regret in this image was that my model turned up with no riding boots but the show must go on as some say!
There was very little post production used in this image apart from one or two lights from the distant buildings removed with the spot remover tool in Photoshop. Some clarity was added around the bike by using a 'softbrush' with Opacity down to around 70%.
I hope that helps?.....Brian
BrianpSlade
May 10, 2015
My sincere thanks to all who voted for my image in the 'Shot In The Dark' Photo challenge...I'm extremely grateful....bless you all....Brian
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
The shot took place in the grounds of Reading University which is a fantastic area for anyone interested in photography as it has woodlands, wildlife, lakes, bridges and architecture.Time
The shot was taken on 28th August 2012 at 20:15 UK summer time.Lighting
I use a very basic set up in reference to lighting. I simply love playing around with shadows and ambient light. After a few test shots which included moving my light stand and me moving around on the floor I found the desired look I was after. The differences are incredible in reference to the varied types of light that fires from the flash regarding various angles and subject to distance. I find this very challenging especially as I work alone.Equipment
My trusty Canon 5D Mark 2 was used in combination with a Canon 430 speedlite which was mounted to a 28' softbox (on a light stand)Inspiration
I often have ideas and sometimes write or sketch (in this case...very badly) them down in a little note book that I keep. The idea came about thinking of a person that was a bit of a loner who just wanted to mind his own business and travel the land. The character I created was called the 'Kung Fu Kicking Cowboy'Editing
Clarity was added to certain parts of the piece which was mainly the motorcycle along with some highlights. All the PP was used in Photoshop Raw which the adjust brush. Some office lights were removed from the background which came through the trees.In my camera bag
At the moment I currently use 3 lenses which are my Tamron 70 - 300mm...Sigma (macro) 105mm 1.2.8 and my good old trusty Canon 24-105 mm. Various filters-Flashbenders x2 - Spare Batteries (For Camera & Flash) - Canon 430 Speedlite - Various Memory cards - Pocket Wizard Mini TT1 & Flex TT5 - Cleaning Cloth - Sensor Cleaning Kit - Cable Release - Camera Manuels (never leave home without it) - Note Pad - Pens - Torch - Cables - I can also attach my tripod to my bag so I suppose you could include that too?Feedback
Time of the day is important as well as location as you will want the light and your chosen located area/scene to blend in harmony with your subject(s). Scout areas during the day and if you spot an area of interest, return during the evening to investigate the scene more in-depth...is it suitable for what you have in mind etc, etc. In the Midnight Cowboy shot, my subject forgot to bring his riding boots which would have looked far much better than the training shoes he was wearing at the time. On a personal note, I should have waited for another time for my subject to turn up wearing his boots as in my opinion it would have made the shot look far much better....but that that is a valued lesson learnt from this actual shot and shoot. Try not rely too much on Photoshop!!! You will learn much, much more by trying to get your desired look through the controls on your camera functions. Play around with your lighting set up. An example being...moving your light stand just 2' to the left or right of your subject(s) could make all the difference.... Brian P Slade
