Lower Light
Nov, 2015Views
101
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Awards
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Top Shot Award 21
2020 Choice Award
Member Selection Award
Staff Winter Selection 2015
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken near a wharf in Kaneohe Bay, a few minutes drive from my home.Time
This photo was inspired by two things, first a prompt from my photography professor at the time who challenged us to experiment with long exposure night photography, second my personal musings on the Syrian refugee crisis that was at its peak at the time. The idea for the image came to me when a woke at three in the morning thinking about both of these things. I ran down the hall to my brother's room and somehow convinced a fourteen year old boy to go an a 4am photography adventure with me.Lighting
To create the epic atmosphere of this photograph I pointed the camera east with a one minute exposure to capture the almost imperceptible cold early light, and then part way through the exposure I lit a small cigarette lighter I was holding to briefly expose my face with the warm light of the flame.Equipment
I utilized my Nikkon D2700, a telephoto lens, a tripod, and a standard cigarette lighter. I composed the shot and then my brother helped me focus and shoot the photo.Inspiration
As the daughter of an immigrant from very poor circumstances I have always personally connected with and felt for people seeking freedom and opportunity in a new land. The week this photo was taken the news was flooded with stories of desperate Mediterranean crossings by Syrian refugees, many of whom lost everything including their lives and families. I wanted to create a piece to commemorate the souls seeking freedom who were lost at sea.Editing
Because this photo was shot in a very dark setting it took multiple rounds of exposure correction to fix the light and to correct grainy areas. I also altered the colors to intensify them, and edited out distracted elements in the water such as boat posts and floating debris.In my camera bag
As an amateur photographer I rarely have more than my camera, a small handful of lenses, cards, and something to clean them with. I often keep my tripod in my car though to capitalize on unexpected opportunities.Feedback
Night, water, and fire make for a show stopping combination if you are willing to literally get your feet wet and experiment a little bit. Don't be afraid to be that weirdo wading around in the bay at 4am with a lighter, yesterday's makeup, and a scarf over your head.
