IMG_0106
Apr, 2015Views
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Awards
2020 Choice Award
Great Shot
Staff Winter Selection 2015
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Superior Skill
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken at Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton, MI. It is operated by Michigan State University and covers 755 acres. There are 6 miles of one way roads throughout the gardens.Time
The February in Michigan is unpredictable, but this senior wanted Winter pictures and I try to give them what they want. We made the decision late on Friday to try for a Saturday afternoon shoot. The temperature was supposed to be around 25 degrees with a possibility of snow, but she agreed to brave the cold. This photo was captured just before 3pm with overcast skies.Lighting
This was shot at ISO 125 at f/2.8 and I have it slightly overexposed. I like how overexposing smooths out the skin.Equipment
I shoot all my portrait photography with a Canon 5DMII. The lens I used on this day was a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 set at 155mm. I almost always use a softbox mounted on a tripod with my Speedlite and a wireless trigger. Flash is set at a constant 1/2 power and works well for reducing shadows.Inspiration
I LOVE eyes! I've found most people don't like the close up pictures they have of themselves so I always look for a chance to show them they look GORGEOUS! I use the zoom lens to keep from being in their face.Editing
We had the perfect winter landscape and the sky was an overcast grey, the only thing we were lacking was falling snow. Sorry everybody, the snow was added post processing......In my camera bag
My bag usually contains my backup camera body (Canon 7D), an extra speedlite, extra camera batteries, extra flash batteries and extra memory cards. I bring along 2 extra lenses, a Canon 24-70 f/2.8 and a Canon 50mm f/1.4. Then I have all the other necessities such as a grey card, lens cleaning cloths and a selection of filters that includes a polarizing filter and a 2 stop ND filter.Feedback
I specialize in portrait photography and like the closeups. I recommend using a good sized zoom lens that allows you to be far enough away from your subject for them to think you're not shooting a closeup. The tripod and flash are still close to them, but they tend to relax a little when you step back 25 ft to get a picture. I purposely overexpose some shots just to see if I get the effect I'm looking for, don't be afraid to go beyond the "Perfect" exposure to see what you get.
