A beautiful end to the day
Models Autumn Rose and Camilla Rose at a very popular location in Derbyshire, UK
Models Autumn Rose and Camilla Rose at a very popular location in Derbyshire, UK
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Apr, 2013Views
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Awards
Staff Winter Selection 2015
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Jaw Dropping
Love it
Genius
Virtuoso
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was shot at a very picaresque and popular location in north Derbyshire, UK called Curbar Edge. There are several of these 'edges' in the area formed by hard gritstone rocks emerging from the ground high above deep valleys, they make great walking and climbing routes with great views.Time
The image was created one beautiful August evening, partly then as it was a time when all three of us were available to do the shoot and partly we knew the light should be very good.Lighting
We didn't use any reflectors or fill flash, it was purely available light which most of my work is.Equipment
The camera used is a Samsung GX10, (Pentax K10 with Samsung badges), with a Tamron 28-105mm lens, at 28mm, ƒ/14, 1/50s, ISO 200. There was little space between myself and the girls as we were on a ledge so being able to use 28mm was a great help. The camera was hand held, I find I work quicker and easier hand holding the camera. It was purely natural light.Inspiration
We had done numerous shots around the rocky edges the girls working well together, it was clear they had a good friendship as they chatted constantly about shared interests. We had pretty much finished the shoot and were making our way back to the car. I looked back across the scene and saw the image in my mind, I pointed it out to the girls and they loved the idea too. We quickly found a suitable spot just out of sight of the public gaze but good for the shot, the girls rapidly disrobed and got in position, I got back as far as space would allow and crouched down so the girls obscured the sun then asked them to slowly walk forward. 'Click' Job done.Editing
I try to keep post processing to a minimum, partly as it eats into your time and partly having spent most of my photographic light using transparency film, with such film you had to get it right in camera, the film was very unforgiving. So the most I usually do is adjust the saturation and contrast a little if a shoot has taken place under cloudy skies. I will sometimes crop a little too, I have over the years had quite a lot of work published and editors like to have a bit of extra space around the main subject so they can crop and frame according to the space they have available. If using an image full page they need a bit extra as a 'bleed edge', so they do not go to print with a small white edge the image is printed larger than the page size, hence a 'bleed edge'. So I often shoot with a bit extra space around the subject and crop slightly in post processing.In my camera bag
Now I use a Pentax K5. I have two photography passions, art nudes and nature, particularly insects, beauty and the beast you might say. I also shoot landscapes and other wildlife but particularly like the challenges of art nudes and insects. So I have a Tamron 90mm, a Sigma 28-105mm, a Tamron 70-300mm which has a macro setting which allows me to shoot more timid insects from over a metre away. I also have a Sigma 150-500mm. When doing my macro work I have a Pentax AF-540FGZ flashgun which has a great range for more distant shots and high speed synchronisation very useful for insect action shots.Feedback
The most important advice for any type of nude photography is to respect your models, treat them well, think about their comfort, put yourself in their position, might they be feeling cold and ready for a warm up etc. If they feel comfortable they will look comfortable in the resulting shots and will be much more willing and happy to make that bit extra effort for you in return. As I say above about this shot, it was taken at a very popular spot, we were not that far from the car park, there were lots of other people around enjoying the location and the evening, but both girls know me very well and knew I would not put them at any risk either physically or verbally from passers-by, so they were more than eager to work with and for me that evening and we produced a lot of great images in a short time. Also you should know your equipment well, know what it can do in different light that way you don't have to stop and experiment while the model waits, that breaks the flow, causes the model to wonder about your competence and the waiting for you can allow her to suddenly feel very exposed in the open shaking the confidence of the most confident model. Know what you are looking for in the location, while your model gets ready look around, visualise your first shots so that when she is ready so are you - camera in hand and all set up. You know where you want her, how you want her to pose and you and your camera are ready as soon as she takes her position, that is what you model wants to see. Finally tell your model she is doing a good job, a lot of models tell me some photographers never speak, then the model cannot judge how well she is doing, which can quickly undermine her confidence. Allow her some breaks, she will soon want to get back to the posing, it just gives her a moment to relax her muscles and think what she could do next. Whilst having a quick break show her some of what you have captured, it will reassure her and it is good for you to hear her say 'I love that one!', then you will be on your way to good work :-)
