The Leap
While living in Lowell, MA I started working with dancers for some of my images. This is one of the most amazing, strong, fun, and beautiful ladies I have had ...
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While living in Lowell, MA I started working with dancers for some of my images. This is one of the most amazing, strong, fun, and beautiful ladies I have had the pleasure of working since. I shot this in front of a window, 100% natural light.
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Feb, 2015Views
3240
Likes
Awards
Contest Finalist in The Art Of Levitation Photo Contest
Winner in Colors in Motion Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
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Top 30 rankTop 20 rank week 1
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Categories
PRO
Q-Vision
February 26, 2015
This looks great with your treatment. The texture works well with the colour harmony.
PRO+
adavies
March 15, 2017
Beautiful! Really well done! If you haven't done so already, please consider joining my FREEZE! challenge:)
https:// viewbug.com/challenge/freeze-photo-challenge-by-adavies
https:// viewbug.com/challenge/freeze-photo-challenge-by-adavies
Platinum
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was taken in a vacant room in an old mill building in Lowell, MA. I used the tall ceilings and large windows to create a temporary natural light studio.Time
I remember this day, we got to the building at around 10 am. It took us a bit to make the dress - if you can call it a dress, it is just 6 yards of red fabric tied and arranged to make it look like a dress! We started shooting at about 10.30 that morning. It was so funny to watch her leap and look graceful while trying to not destroy the dress ;)Lighting
This was a bright day. The large windows faced a tall building right across the street that served as a reflector and provided us with the most beautiful light. I brought a couple of strobes with me, but I always prefer natural light for this type of images, it gives them a real and organic look I love!Equipment
This was a very simple shot, I brought with me my beautiful Canon 7D and shot with an 18-135 lens. While I usually recommend to use a tripod I have to admit that I didn't use one for this image.Inspiration
Dancers are beautiful... I can't really understand what I find so fascinating about working with them. So, this image is what I believe dance looks like... ephemeral beauty and strength... colorful and peaceful. I know it sounds funny, but I have never been good at explaining things with words, so I try to do it through images.Editing
I think of post processing as icing on the cake. I created the effect on the dress and added some textures to the image using Photoshop.In my camera bag
I carry two camera bodies: Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 7D. I also have a 50 mm prime, 70-200 mm, 24-70 mm, and a 10-22 mm. I always have a grey card, a tripod, reflector, and two speedlites with me.Feedback
Have an idea of what you want to create. It is a simple exercise that will save you hours of work! I always plan the shoot ahead of time, I may not know the location, the color of the dress, or the effect I am going to create, but I always know the intention of the image and the basic effect I would like to achieve. For example, with this piece I knew I wanted her to be leaping and I wanted her hair to be caught in the movement. Also, I wanted her to be looking directly at the camera as to saying "this is who I am" and I wanted her to leap into the light. I told her to convey strength, confidence, and pride... I think she did a great job! Once you are ready for post production, don't be afraid to play! Experiment and try new things! I love watching tutorials on interesting effects I can use and alter. Be sure to use a non-destructive method of editing :) Do not be afraid to make mistakes and have fun. I believe editing a great image is like baking a cake, you have to try multiple times and change the recipe a little each time to create a perfect process :)
