sarahallegra

The Cult Of Asclepios

This photo was inspired by ancient Greece, when the Cult of Asclepios was in full swing. They believed there was something magical and healing about snakes. T...
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This photo was inspired by ancient Greece, when the Cult of Asclepios was in full swing. They believed there was something magical and healing about snakes. The sick would come to their temples and sleep overnight on the cold, hard ground, with snakes wandering freely over it, in search of a cure. Asclepios is also the reason why we have snakes in the universal sign for medical care; the two snakes twined around a staff.

Model: Dedeker Winston
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NIKON D40

Aperture f/5.6 ISO 200 Shutter 10/1250

upload_date

Feb, 2013

Views

1309

Likes

+68

Awards

Achievement in Originality

Peer Award

+14

Outstanding Creativity

Superb Composition

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Choice

Magnificent Capture

Superior Skill

Exceptional Contrast

All Star

Jaw Dropping

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Behind The Lens

Location

Inside my "home studio" with a white sheet thumb-tacked against a wall!

Time

This was about 1pm or so.

Lighting

This was lit with continuous lights, mainly from the right side of the frame, angles from below the model's face, as well as a fill light to the left, which was also aimed from below her head.

Equipment

I used my Nikon D5100, my 35-70mm zoom lens, the hot lights and a tripod to stabilize myself.

Inspiration

I had the chance to do a shoot with Azuka, the boa constrictor belonging to a friend of mine. Since I had the opportunity, I tried to maximize it by coming up with as many concepts as I could. Channeling the ancient Greek Cult of Asclepious, which viewed snakes as holy animals, was a fun idea to bring to life!

Editing

I enhanced the orange/yellow tones the image already had and added the smoke you see, as if the model, Dedeker Winston, was a priestess in the temple with a fire burning to light the festivities.

In my camera bag

My Nikon D5100, a 50mm 1.8 lens, a kit lens from my previous camera which is a 35-70mm zoom, a very lightweight tripod, and several cheap remote shutter releases.

Feedback

Finding unusual animals to bring into your images can add a lot, both visually and as a story-telling element. I am constantly on the lookout for animals who might want to model for me some day :) Many owners are happy to lend you your pet in exchange for getting a cool portrait of them!

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sarahallegra

The Cult Of Asclepios