Evening flight home
Nov, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
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I am an aspiring photographer. Going through the learning curve through internships and attachments with professional photographers to enhance my skill set. I reckoned such learning opportunities are rare and do not come twice. I will apply what I have learned to hopefully, breakthrough my own limitations to scale greater height. For every shot taken, I am also my greatest critic so that I know how far off I am from perfection This photo was captured on board a plane when I was returning from Taiwan to Singapore. I always carry my camera with me on my travel. On this occasion, when I saw the stunning sunset, I took out my iPhone instead as the window of the plane was too narrow to position a camera. Then, I used the window as a Natural Density Filter by utilising the Boeing 787 E Window Shade technology. A very simple shotTime
This image was shot during the evening hours on board a Boeing 787. Boeing 787 utilises the new revolutionary e-window shades and hence there are no window shades. Prior to departure, I cross checked and tried to study how does this E-shades work and realised that I might be able to utilise it as an ‘ND’ filter if the opportunity arises. ‘ND’ filters are known to be very expensive. As an undergrad student I do not have deep pockets. Hence, seeing this God given opportunity, I started to look for moments where an ND filter could be used. As it was nearing sunset, a ray of light passed through the window of the aircraft, where I could even catch a glimpse of a small but insignificant light dispersion. As the window was relatively narrow, I could not squeeze my wide-angle lens through to capture this stunning shot. Thus, I used my iPhone 6, which is also relatively narrower than a wide-angle lens to capture this shot.Lighting
As the lighting was rather harsh, I then utilised the e-window shades and the built-in light meter from the iPhone to adjust the outdoor lighting to one that could deliver a better shot. Combining both has allowed me to freeze the moment that is shown above. It was however, not an easy endeavour as I have no experience of what the equivalent ND grade is at each level of the e-window shades. I could only take my chances and went largely on trial and error from both the iPhone and the e-shades.Equipment
This was shot on an iPhone 6 with a Boeing 787 e-window shade as an ND filter, and an airplane reclining chair that was reclined down to maximise the view outside of the airplane window.Inspiration
Some moments don’t happen twice, and every moment is an opportunity for me to not just grow my portfolio but also to improve and put my make shift photography ideas to the test. Such situations allow me to see if I can still produce a worthy shot with the barest minimal equipment. This was the first time ever I could use a make shift ND filter out of the Boeing 787 window. ND filters are expensive, because the benefits that come with using them. Hence this was one opportunity that I was not going to miss and instead put my theoretical knowledge of photography vis-à-vis hands on skill to the test. It was a sheer experimentation. This main objective of shooting this image was to see just about how capable an iPhone 6 camera is.Editing
Everything was done through the iPhone with minimal touch ups in lightroom to preserve the quality and resolution of the image. Apart from dressing up the image to make it look as professional as possible and making sure that the density of light being seen in the image was sufficient, no other post-processing technique was applied on the image. I personally believe that images should only be edited or post-processed if they are not able to depict what the photographer witnessed.In my camera bag
Anything I can find, because to me, a good shot is also largely dependent on the skill of the photographer and not necessarily determined by the equipment alone. To drive home this point, an iPhone has produced this stunning shot. One does not need the best camera or the most expensive equipment to deliver a quality image. Equipment should always only complement what the photographer wants to achieve. It should not be a pre-requisite for a good image, that is, the image is good because it was shot on an expensive camera like a Leica, Nikon D5x, Canon 1Dx or Sony A9. If that is the case, then the credit of a good shot would be the equipment over-shadowing the photographer and a good shot can be delivered by anyone who owns a good camera.As an undergraduate with a limited budget to spend, and not knowing what opportunities may come my way, I normally have in my bag equipment that can be suited for any given condition. Such equipment need not necessary be expensive. For me, it’s about making the best with what I have in any given context.Feedback
Have an eye for details, a drive to discover and innovate new things, an attitude that is always willing to grow and learn from past mistakes. But more importantly, a deep love for exploration and photography. Lastly, be your own critic and there is no need to compare to others, because you are running your own race and setting and re-writing your records.
