Taking steps
Aug, 2014Views
1881
Likes
Awards
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Contest Finalist in Picturing Shadows Photo Contest
Top Shot Award
Featured
Contest Finalist in Patterns In Shadows Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Genius
Emotions
Impressed
Happy
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 30 rank
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken in the village of Georgouplios, in Crete. It was a picture potential I noticed as we were arriving for our holiday. I have been a keen enthusiast for many years but am still always stimulated by new environments and photo opportunities.Time
The spiral steps were near our apartment but I noticed the lighting changing regularly and observed that this shot only worked well in a twenty minute slot around 3pm.Lighting
It was important to get the lighting right as the image was all about the shadow patterns. I had also to isolate the steps for impact. This meant avoiding later shadows from trees and another building. The main question for me was, how much of the steps to put in the shot and how much to leave out. I did take several shots so I could make my final decision later.Equipment
I shot this on a Panasonic Lumix G5. The lens was a Lumix 45-200mm. f4.0-5.6, set at 45mm. I chose aperture priority f/8.0, shutter speed 1/500s, ISO 160. The shot was hand held and I stood on a wall to correct perspective.Inspiration
I loved the almost clinical abstract pattern the shadows formed and how they seemed, at the right time, to mirror the steps. I liked that the simpleness of the composition added to its impact, I felt.Editing
The key to this was keeping it simple. I post processed in Photoshop CC by exaggerating the shadows through increasing the contrast and just removing some slight marks on the back wall with cloning. Finally I made sure there was an absence of any trace colour by desaturating all the colour to B&W.In my camera bag
I've gone through various systems over the years from medium format to SLRs, but now I shoot on a four thirds system as I like to travel light, considering hot climates, greasy sun tan lotion and limited baggage allowances! A lot will depend on what I'm intending to shoot. I have a carry everywhere Panasonic Lumix TZ60, which just fits into the pocket but give some great images. I use this for grab shots or a photo diary for anything that sparks my interest. But for more varied or planned shoots I'll take the TZ60 as a backup but also the Panasonic G5 (although now I've just replaced this with a Panasonic GX80/85.) My lenses would be the Olympus 9-18 which is fantastic for wide angle pictures and takes the same filter size as the others. Also the Panasonic 14-45 and 45-200. So there's a lot of focal length covered there with very little weight. I include a polariser and a ten stop ND filter. If I'm doing British moody landscapes I'll bring some grey graduates too. I also like long exposures and night shooting so there will be either a good heavyweight tripod for Britain or a small travel tripod for abroad. I always include cleaning cloth and definitely spare batteries, along with the battery chargers.Feedback
It's very easy to get loaded down with equipment and it will become such a chore that you'll leave a good percentage of it in your hotel room. Try to previsualise what you want to take or research what opportunities you might find and shape your gear to suit your experiences. It's better to have a good shot on a small travel compact than missing it through fumbling with gear or not having the right equipment because of weight. I like to look at the popular areas that the postcards depict and put my own interpretation on those areas but also, have an eye out for the unusual or downright quirky. Try to think of your camera as a photographic diary, capturing a sense and character of a place and its people and don't spoil your enjoyment of a great hobby by making yourself a photographic pack mule!
