Everything is Everything
Every living thing has more in common than just being alive.
Every living thing has more in common than just being alive.
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Aug, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in one of my favorite places in Texas. It's a huge, natural spring that stays a beautiful blue-green all year round. My boyfriend (the subject in the photo) and I spend as much time here as we can.Time
In early spring, when the air is starting to heat up and the river is still cold, the water gives off a soft mist of steam right at dawn. We were up well before the sun to catch this photo and snapped it within the first 45 minutes of sunrise.Lighting
I chose sunrise for the soft color and hazy light to give contrast to the sharp roots. During the middle of the day in this spot the sun is bouncing from every small wave and leaf which would have been more distracting than helpful but the early morning mist in the air creates softer shadows.Equipment
I used a Canon T2i with a 35mm lens to take this photo and brought a bounce board just in case but ended up not using it. Other than that it was just us and the camera. I took off my shoes and he went for a quick and chilly swim.Inspiration
While walking the trails along this river I stumbled upon a funky root that reminded me of a diagram I'd seen of spinal chord nerves and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. I wanted to illustrate our connection with the earth and similarities in nature using this root as an example for the overwhelming many. While holding the root I noticed his arms even resembled the branches and so I then wanted him to blend naturally into the branches of the trees with his own limbs and torso, all extending beyond the frame.Editing
Aside from enhancing the colors I had to darken the whites so the contrast between the levels in the photo didn't distract the eye from the spinal chord root's story. I also softened the blacks which gave the whole image a softer feel while still showing the various natural shadows and spots of sunlight.In my camera bag
I usually keep my bag small and easy to carry so I can be more mobile and independent when I'm out on trails or on location somewhere. I love a lens that's close to the eye so I always have a 35mm lens on my Canon 7d Mk ii. Recently I've been falling in love with my new 28mm which is only slightly wider but feels closer to the eye if you're counting peripherals. If I can manage it I always love to bring a bounce board. Its the perfect tool on a super sunny day to catch what's in the shadows if your camera is exposed for the light.Feedback
Shooting on location with natural light is a wonderful thing to explore in photography since a single place can look hundreds of different ways depending on the season, weather, time of day. If you have an idea of the perfect time of day or season for your photo make sure you're on location way ahead of schedule because the sun moves fast and if your light is super dependent on it then you only have a small chance to catch it! Shooting in nature is unpredictable so plan as much as you can but stay flexible and open to what it throws at you (as it always throws something). You'll have to alter what you imagined initially but if you planned well then your story is strong enough to be told whatever the weather.
