Garrett Silhouette
It was a nice sunset for our surf themed shoot. I was thinking of Endless Summer or Five Summer Stories...in May
It was a nice sunset for our surf themed shoot. I was thinking of Endless Summer or Five Summer Stories...in May
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May, 2015Views
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Awards
Featured
Contest Finalist in San Diego Surf Film Festival Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Love it
Absolute Masterpiece
Superior Skill
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Virtuoso
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this shot in Oceanside, California, near the Oceanside Pier. This was shoot with the Phocus Photography Group from San Diego and Riverside Counties. The idea was to do a "lifestyle-themed" session with our friend, Garrett Johnson, who agreed to be the model and take advantage of the evening glass.Time
This was around 6:30 p.m. and the promise of sunset colors had died as the sun went behind a cloud bank. It got better later.Lighting
The lighting was purely the sun, low to the horizon, behind a giant diffuser in the sky and coming from behind Garrett.Equipment
I used my Nikon D610 with its kit 70-300mm at 122mm and f/14. I had the ISO at 200 and shot it at 1/400 to expose for the background.Inspiration
I was not feeling inspired at all, honestly. Things were not flowing like they sometimes do. I was not happy with my lack of internal motivation, that day, but I just kept trying and shooting. I kept watching for something that might kick me in the rear and get my head in the game. It didn't happen, but I just kept shooting anyway.Editing
Short answer: yes. Long answer: After a good night's sleep, my attitude had improved and I saw some potential. This shot made me think of a 60s surf movie poster, the way it was composed, but the colors needed help. I had just viewed a tutorial on using Lab Color and creating separations and more drama. So I applied what I'd learned from that. I also played a lot with Solid Color layer masks and blending options to create a warm to cool gradient. I applied an Iris Blur centered on his head. I was and am pleased with the result. Although now I'm looking at it again and I'm seeing some more work to do; which I will.In my camera bag
Normally, I have two bodies, three memory cards (a 32GB and two 16 GB all in their slots), two batteries for each body and four lenses (24-85mm, 70-300mm, 100mm macro for the FX body, and an 18-55mm for the DX). That's if I leave the house without a shooting plan as is the case most of the time.Feedback
That day was a good lesson. In spite of not feeling it, on some days, just keep shooting. Get some rest after a shoot that you didn't feel great about. Things always look better after a good night's sleep. If an image is well composed, but lacking in some other way, keep it around, you may learn something later that you can use to bring it up to your standards. Get around more experienced photographers; there's always help to be found there. There are lots of great tutorials that help, too. So much to learn!
