StJohnsShadows
Oct, 2015Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken in Portland, Oregon at St John's Bridge on the side of cathedral park. I had taken many other angles of the bridge, but this was a first attempt at the architecture from underneath.Time
This is a very popular bridge and has been published many times with all angles. This was shot around 11:30, and the sun was to my back. I wasn't trying to break any ground, but I wanted to make the shot my own. What sticks out for me in this photo are the shadows. I was able to compose my shot so each shadow was synchronistic in the shot. I would love to say I planned for this, but it was a happy accident that I took advantage of. There was no one else around, so I had a lot of time to set up my shot and take my time.Lighting
Portland, Oregon is a rainy place most of the time. I felt fortunate that I was able to get the shot I did during the middle of winter with a low angle of the sun to give me my shot. I shot it monochrome to add some timelessness and mystery to the shot.Equipment
This was shot on a Canon T3I with a 18-135mm dslr zoom lense. No other equipment was used.Inspiration
The St. John's Bridge is an inspiring structure to look at. It was built in the 1930s and seems to elicit certain moods throughout the year, weather, and time of year. I loved shooting night shots and high angle shots, but I was really inspired to get a shot that wasn't quite so symbolic of the bridge. I wanted to get something that would grab the viewer without knowing it was even a bridge, let alone the St John's Bridge.Editing
I used some minor post processing tools in Lightroom to give the photo some pop. I also used the monochrome too and contrast tool to give the image a bit of mystery and edge.In my camera bag
I started out with just one lense, the 18-135, but I have eventually added two lenses to my bag that I am in love with for what I shot. I have a "nifty fifty" Canon fixed 50mm, and I also have a 24-105mm canon, which is my workhorse. I absolutely love to use the 24-105. My next purchase is going to be a 100-400 to get the action shots! I love surfing.Feedback
For a shot like this, it is good to check the time of day and angle of the sun if you want to get the shadows to line up on the bridge. Location helps, too. To maximize the composition, standing in the prime location is key as well. I would also recommend a tripod
