Rejected
Jul, 2014Views
478
Likes
Awards
Fall Award 2020
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Superior Skill
Peer Award
One Of A Kind
Genius
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Exceptional Contrast
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 20 rank
Top 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Platinum
Platinum
beckykempf
July 31, 2014
Such an emotional portrait. It brought tears to my eyes. You are a master storyteller with a camera!
Platinum
PRO+
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This was a self portrait taken in my entertainment area as I do not have a home studio. The backdrop is a block out blind.Time
I had been working on the concept for a few weeks as part of a set subject (Emotion/Darkness) for a Camera Club. It was around 8:51pm when I finally got a shot is was happy with.Lighting
The lighting as a sole candle set in a candle holder behind the flowers. I did soften the light refection on the back drop using Lightroom but left full light on my face in an attempt to show the sadness of rejection. One mistake I did make was the champagne bottle was unopen.Equipment
Apart from the obvious props, I used a Canon EOS 550D mounted on a Manfrotto Tripod, the Lens was a Canon 18mm Kit Lens, Remote Shutter Release. I did not use a flashInspiration
As a self taught photographer, I was trying something challenging to me and as I previously stated above, I had to capture a image showing emotion and after many attempts and many failures I finally had this image.Editing
Post processing was kept to a minimum using Lightroom. First I softened the light reflection in the back ground, then some cropping to cut out some external light coming in from around the sides and bottom of the back drop.In my camera bag
I now have a Canon EOS 80D and a Canon EOS 100D along with the original Kit Lenses from my 550D they are a 50mm, 18-55mm and a 55-250mm. Add to my lenses are a Tamron 18-270 and a Sigma 70-300. A Canon Speed Light, a Remote Shutter and a Cable Shutter. A variable density filter and a good supply of spare batteries and extra SD cards.Feedback
Trust you instincts, let yourself be creative and make use of any and all appropriate props. Don't make the same obvious mistake I made with the champagne bottle. on reflection the only other prop I could have used was my wife's engagement ring on the table. Using the candle behind the flowers gave me the light I hoped for around my face. I would suggest though, if you are going to try this use a little extra thought in making the candle it's self noticeable (some judges might think you used a spotlight behind the flowers, as did my judge).
