Drafting
I was sketching some images to use in the back ground of a steam punk style photoshoot when I decided to take a few picture of my work in progress. The strange ...
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I was sketching some images to use in the back ground of a steam punk style photoshoot when I decided to take a few picture of my work in progress. The strange bottle with stranger promises printed on it was a souvenir from a visit to Bath in England.
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Apr, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in my living room in Northern Ontario while it was about -35C outside so I initially stayed in to read a book, then couldn't help but pick up my camera and set up a shot inspired by what I was reading.Time
I can't remember what time of day it was. You know when you get all wrapped up in a book and loose track of time, that happens to me with photography sometimes too.Lighting
I love natural light. I have speed lights, studio strobes, and several other light rigs that I will use for specific images or if I need them in a bind but I didn't need to use any of that on this image. The golden hour had filled my living room with beautiful warm light. I had been reading for some time and when I noticed the quality of light coming through the window to bathe my living room I wanted to take advantage of it.Equipment
I believe this was taken with a used Nikon D700 I had just picked up (my first full frame) and a Nikon 85mm f1.8D prime lens. I used a cheap carbon fibre manfrotto tripod so that I could take my time setting up the items in the frame and to wait for that perfect light to happen.Inspiration
I was inspired by a book called the Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling which has been credited as the story that kicked off the whole steam punk genre. I wanted to create an image that is timeless. I used mechanical drafting equipment, some 40+ year old drafting paper, and a souvenir from a visit to the roman baths in Bath, England.Editing
Other than a little cropping and perhaps a bit of WB tweeking I really had to do nothing. I really liked the way the image came out.In my camera bag
That depends on what I am shooting and how big of a bag I can get away with taking with me. When I shoot weddings I primarily shoot with a Nikon D750 and use a D700 as a back up. I haul around a 35mm, 50mm, 85mm f/1.8 prime lenses along with a nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 vrII, a Tamron 15-30 f/2.8 (this is a stabilized super wide angle lens and probably my favourite right now!), and my all purpose Sigma 24-104 f/4 Art lens. I also bring speed lights (SB 700 and 900 with some transceivers [off camera flash is kind of hot right now]). I carry a pocket sized mart tripod (the thing can hold a lot more weight than it looks like) and a light carbon fibre tripod. I also like to lug around a ND filter of my 24-105, a remote shutter release for long exposures, and a few cans of beer if I am shooting something I want to but am not being paid for (it is very important to stay hydrated when out an about for the day)Feedback
Get inspired, act on the inspiration, and keep trying as long as you still enjoy it. When you have an idea of what you want to capture or create try to do it on your own, if you can't figure out some aspect of the shot ask someone who may know how to do it (like a mentor, teacher or shutterbug friend) and do a bit of online research. We are in the glorious age of digital imaging and don't need to be fearful of wasting film. Love what you do and the way that you do it. Don't compare your work to others because it can cause you to despair and loose your jam. Shoot the way you love and it will come across in your work, trust me; it is worth putting in the time to develop your own style.
