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Dec, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in our dining room. We were supposed to move house before Christmas and it didn't happen so we were surrounded by packed boxes in every room. Behind me is a large wooden larder which was wrapped in Bubble Wrap and I thought it would make a good background.Time
I can't remember exactly what time of day it was, it would have been before lunch for the sun to be coming through the window.Lighting
I always like the light in this room, there was a single window on one side and then the a door on the other which lead in to the kitchen which had a glass door to the outside. This meant that you got quite dramatic lighting coming through the window, and a softer glow from the kitchen. To help with this one there was a single tube light on a stand infront of the window, just to give it a bit more intensity.Equipment
This was taken on my Canon 5D Mk III. The camera was set on a tripod just infront of me, I could reach the shutter button with my right arm. It was fitted with the kit 24-105 f/4L lens. No flash was used.Inspiration
We were going away for New Year to Weymouth where everyone is in fancy dress. We had decided this year to go as Ariel and Ursula from The Little Mermaid. The wigs had just arrived. I think the boxes around us got us and in a moment of insanity I donned the wig and took a few shots. This was the best one.Editing
I try to limit my post-processing as much as possible on portraits, but this was converted to B&W in photoshop, and a small amount of dodge and burn to help with the overall effect.In my camera bag
I always have my Canon 5D MkIII, the kit lens and my 50mm lens. Those are my favourites. I have my battery grip attached to my camera at all times. My lens cleaner is in my bag, along with my flash and my anorak (incase it rains!) There's a note book and pen, and depending on where I'm going I might pack my 100-600mm tamron lens - not often as the weight of it means I only take it out when absolutely necessary.Feedback
Don't be scared: to try something new, to make a fool of yourself, to use any props you can find, to keep on trying. The lighting is what makes it and I used to rely heavily on flash, now I love to use more natural light and only add if absolutely needed. This was a really simple self-portrait, took no more than 10 minutes to set up the camera, don the wig and take 3 shots. It doesn't always have to be hours of set up in a studio, some of my most succesful shots have been taken in a random space with short notice, which is usually because the ideas will pop up when I spot something and think "I'll use that for a photo". Learn from any mistakes, take notes on what didn't work and use that to improve the next time. Every time I pick up the camera I learn something new, how amazing to do something you love and still be surprised by it. Enjoy that feeling.
