Ela
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
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Jan, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in my Dining area, I am a self taught photographer who is still learning and growing each and every day.Time
This shot was taken roughly around 1-2 pm. It was a gloomy winter but it was also a very special moment in my life that I wanted to document. There was no other perfect place to do it then in my own home.Lighting
I had just the natural light shine through the window as my lighting source. It was mid-December, about a week before the Winter Solstice, so it was not a sunny bright day, there was an overcast but it created such a beautiful glow when standing or being close to the window. The window was facing South and here were no flash or artificial light coming from any other direction. I wanted this portrait to be as simple as possible but still have elegance in it.Equipment
This portrait was shot with a Canon 5d Mark iii, with a n EF 70-200mm f2.8 lens. A tripod was used but since I did not have a remote to take my own portrait, I had my husband who is not a photographer but knows how to press the shutter release button take my shot for me. I set the camera shutter speed to 1/45 of a second, the ISO was at 200, and AP was at f/2.8.Inspiration
My 40th was approaching day of the Winter Solstice and I wanted to not only document it but also to remind myself to appreciate each day as it comes, look forward to the future with ideas and allow my creative process to guide me in my photography.Editing
I used Photoshop to eliminate some blemishes on my skin, then I used the curves adjustment to create a contrast with the light and shadow on my skin. Minor adjustment to hair and back was done as well. I created a texture on the wall to give it more interest and cloned a light plug below the window. I also saw the fence outside had distracting elements along with the neighbor's door, so I cloned those out as well.In my camera bag
I don't carry too much in my bag, basically I have my camera, 5-in-1 light reflector, my 70-200mm lens, an extra battery pack, an extra sd card, and tiny bags of silicone balls that most people would throw away but I use it to keep my camera and lens stay dry.Feedback
Honestly, it took so many tries to get just one perfect shot. I would say, be patient especially when your light source is the sun or natural outdoor lighting. Pay attention to the direction of where the light source is coming from and how it hits a subject. Simplicity was a key to this shot, I didn't want too many distracting items i.e.. furniture in the picture.
