Rebecca-Maree
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Awards
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Contest Finalist in Looking At Faces Photo Contest
Winner in Dazzle me with that smile Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Superb Composition
Superior Skill
All Star
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I love this photo of my niece, taken on the back step of my Mum & Dad's house! I always shoot on location, either outdoors or in someone's own home. It instantly makes them feel relaxed in front of the camera.Time
It was taken in the middle of the day, when the sun was at its harshest and most unforgiving, in the middle of an Australian summer. I remember there was a slight breeze in the air and my niece was about to jump into the pool. I had my new lens and wanted to try it out, so I had her sit on the back step (under an awning) & told her a silly joke (she thinks her aunty is crazy at the best of times ;o) The breeze picked up ever so slightly as I clicked the shutter. Perfection.Lighting
This shot, was one of those situations where your camera is sitting on a bench and the light/moment is too good to pass. I used the natural light available, positioned my niece sitting, facing the sunlight, and stood in front of her to block the direct light, to avoid her squinting.Equipment
This was shot on a Canon 6D, with a Canon 50mm f/1.2 lens.Inspiration
Summer at my Mum & Dad's, with the family around, is when I am most content. I hear my children playing in the back yard, or splashing in the pool, giggling, or telling their nana & poppy stories, it is magic. It's even better when it's filed with my sisters and nieces and nephews. My nieces don't live locally so when they come to visit I take very opportunity to photograph them. They grow so fast!Editing
I edit in Light room, firstly because I love how easy it is to use, and secondly because I always get lost in photoshop!. Very little editing was needed on this particular image. I converted the image to black and white and played around with the sliders, increasing clarity, decreasing the highlights to ensure there was a clean white and a clean black. I am a self taught photographer & editor, it's always trial and error playing around with an image, until I achieve the look I am after. I wanted this image to be clean, bright and natural looking.In my camera bag
I always carry my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 II USM lens. It's a beast and never lets me down. I love being able to give my clients the space to move around freely without me being in their face. Then without them knowing, I can be in their face... My Canon 50mm f/1.2 lens is the perfect walkabout lens and great for indoor photography, this lens works amazing in lowlight! I also carry my 16-35mm f/4 lens as a back up, in case I am caught in tight spaces or want to capture my subject in a gorgeous location.Feedback
When photographing people, especially those who aren't in front of the camera a lot, pay attention to their hands. If they are uncomfortable it will show in their body language & always in the hands. Have them fold their arms, or ask them to put their hands somewhere that feels natural and comfortable to them. Then start being an absolute nutter behind the camera to help make them relax and less self conscious. "Watch carefully, the magic that occurs, when you give a person, just enough comfort, to be themselves". atticus