Watching the world pass by
Working from home is wonderful during the winter months, but as the sun starts to shine every day I'm starting to miss the outside. At least this way I can work...
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Working from home is wonderful during the winter months, but as the sun starts to shine every day I'm starting to miss the outside. At least this way I can work with my feet in a warm patch of sun on the carpet...
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Mar, 2015Views
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Awards
Top Shot Award 21
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Contest Finalist in Levitation Photo Contest
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was simply the result of a break from work; it was taken in the living room of my flat, AKA my office. I work from home as a freelance writer and editor and after around four months of miserable weather it's safe to say that I was starting to feel a little trapped. Taking the photo offered the opportunity to express my feelings at the time. Spring was starting to show and I was yearning to spend some more time outside!Time
Taken during my lunch break, I shot the photo at around midday, as the sun started to creep into the room. I distinctly remember the feeling of the sun's warm patches on the carpet as I walked over to the window!Lighting
The light in this photo was entirely natural, flooding in through the large windows. Though not necessarily through choice (I don't have the funds for new equipment!) I always use natural light for my photos. Fortunately, I think the sunlight works really well in this photo.Equipment
The photo was taken on my Canon EOS 1100D, with the standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II lens. My 'tripod' consisted of a box and several biology books balanced on my coffee table. This was also my first time using my Pixel Oppilas wireless remote (a Christmas present from my mum) which I don't think I could live without now!Inspiration
Still finding my feet as a freelancer, I had very little spare time to leave the house. Even if I did have the time, I wasn't exactly enthused to go walking around in the miserable weather typical of an English winter. On the day that this photo was taken I woke to the sunlight beaming through the curtains and could see the first signs of spring were starting to appear. I was inspired to set my camera free from its bag, and this photo was the obvious expression of my feelings at the time. A search for freedom, and the excitement to make the most of the first few days of spring.Editing
This was my first attempt at a levitation photo for years. I used a background photo for the main image; I then layered the photo of myself uncomfortably posed on a chair on top of the background, and removed the chair. I altered the lighting of both of the images to match one another and added a blue-ish hue. Having finished the main image, I added the shadow by hand. The dress that I am wearing was covered in colourful butterflies. I thought it was a good idea at the time, but something looked wrong in the final image, and it turns out the butterflies were the problem. I then spent another hour or so removing the butterflies using the clone tool on Photoshop - a bit of a shoddy job, I know!In my camera bag
My bag always contains my Canon EOS 1100D (my first DSLR) with its standard 18-55mm lens, as well as my 50mm portrait lens, which I absolutely love. Besides the body and two lenses, the only other piece of equipment in my bag is my wireless remote. I was given a fantastic tripod as a gift, though that only comes with me on my bigger, planned shoots - it is too heavy to carry around 'just in case'.Feedback
Levitation photos are difficult to pull off, but the final piece can be fantastic if it is executed well. Balancing tummy-down on a chair looks much easier than it is. Positioning is key; it can be incredibly uncomfortable, and you (or your model) must be willing to suffer some ab pain in the name of art! Patience is also important - especially if you are shooting yourself. Never assume that the shot will be perfect - you will likely be back and forth from chair to camera after every few shots before you get it right. A dress is the perfect outfit for levitation photos; the gravity of the skirt makes the photo look all the more real. In order to execute it well, it is important that the model balances on the edge of the chair/stool, and the dress is positioned naturally over the edge. In terms of post-processing, take the time to ensure that the chair is removed as accurately as possible, and always remember the shadow.
