Mastermind
Playing with a bit of drama and high contrast.
Playing with a bit of drama and high contrast.
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Sep, 2015Views
2884
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Awards
People's Choice in Close-Up Character Portrait Photo Challenge
Featured
Contest Finalist in Dramatic Portraits Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Mix It Up Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
All Star
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Categories
BBBimagemediastudios
September 30, 2015
B/W images and the lighting makes this spot on image...Well done
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Platinum
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in a bedroom at my cottage on Manitoulin Island, Ontario.Time
I took the photo just before breakfast. I'd been hoping to find a rugged looking male who would pose for me because I desperately wanted to create a dramatic looking photo and I'd never tried it before. I suddenly realized I had the perfect model right under my nose: my husband. Hubby wasn't thrilled about posing but I managed to bribe him with the promise of a cooked breakfast for 30 seconds of his time.Lighting
Lighting setup was so simple: one constant light in a softbox, using a black sheet to cut down any stray light and direct the light to one side only.Equipment
D7100 on a tripod using 50mm f/1.8 lensInspiration
My brother, who is also a photographer, has always been a great supporter and helps boost my confidence when it's lacking. He saw a series of outdoor portraits I'd taken of a beautiful girl, he told me they were lovely but wanted to know, where's the drama, where's the contrast? He asked if that was the style of portraits I wanted to take? I realized it wasn't, I was trying to take portraits everyone else would like even though I didn't particularly enjoy them myself. So, I took this photo for myself and my brother to prove something to both of us. Now, I love this style and will continue to shoot in my own style to please myself and of course I'm hoping there are other who enjoy it too.Editing
Very little post processing on this one, most of this was in camera. To add extra drama I darkened the shadows, added lots of contrast, a little dodge and burn and sharpening.In my camera bag
I typically carry my D90 in my purse fitted with my Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 and my 85mm f/1.8 is packed as well. My D7100 with my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 comes along often but I don't carry it with me to the grocery store :)Feedback
Getting the exposure correct was so important in this image, being careful to expose for the lit side of the face without too much light in the shadows. I wanted a rugged look and I didn't get that in the first couple of shots where I asked my husband not to smile and look serious. I changed my strategy and told him to stare right into the camera and look mean. That gave me what I wanted, so I learned a little bit about directing the model. Most of my portraits are of pets but I'd love to capture more people in this style.
