"Faithful Friend"
Aug, 2014Views
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nlhammondphotography
November 19, 2014
This is fantastic!! Love the quality of the lighting and how sharp it is!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photograph in my backyard while I was working on a series of imagery entitled "Companions." This is my pet companion named "Kimosabe" which means "faithful friend."Time
I took this image during the late afternoon right before the sun began to set.Lighting
The lighting was very soft, because it was late in the afternoon while the sun was beginning to set. There was some very soft beams coming through a wooded forest of trees.Equipment
I used my Canon EOS T3 with a 50mm lens.Inspiration
I was inspired to take this photograph, because I have looked at many photographer's work of dogs that use a profile view of their face. A loyal companion is always looking out for you, so I wanted to portray the concept of security.Editing
Yes, I used a couple of lightroom presets that enhance tonal contrast a bit, and I also desaturated the image to have a vintage, nostalgic look to it. I didn't want to totally lose the color, so I didn't completely desaturate. I also increased the clarity in the eyes, nose, and some fine hairs in my dog's face.In my camera bag
I normally have my Canon EOS 70D camera body, a 50mm, 18-24mm, and 75-300mm lens in my bag. I also carry an ND and polarizing filter along with extra batteries and memory cards. Sometimes I will carry my tripod with me.Feedback
Pay attention to fine details at all times and keep things very sharp for pet portraits, especially the eyes. Try to create a concept for your imagery, because it will make your work so much stronger and help you keep your creativity at it's highest point. Use a shallow depth of field for portraits; avoid any distracting elements in the background or foreground. Experiment with different angles; especially ground level for children and pets. Be sure to familiarize yourself with soft light and unique beams of light and keep a fast shutter speed. I feel the best way to capture genuine moments with pet portraits is to let your pet roam free and be themselves.
