Fall in love with Kerry - 5160 JPG
Feb, 2016Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland. I am constantly blessed by the universe with moments like this, which exist only for a moment before they are gone forever. Moments I could not have planned better myself. These are the moments I love to capture most, because they are the most special to me. This particular moment was at a time when I was visiting my Dad and he took me in his car to explore the local region. I saw this couple in the distance and asked him to stop before jumping out and taking this shot and hopping back in the car and continuing on our way.Time
This photo was taken in early August about 2pm.Lighting
Natural lighting. The beautiful thing about Ireland is the giant, natural softbox we have over our heads on a near constant basis.Equipment
This was actually one of my first images, taken within the first few months of my first use of a DSLR. I was given the loan of a 600D on the one condition that I keep it in manual mode. I am grateful for being thrown into the deep end because I love to learn, and I love the combination of intuition (art) and knowledge (science) within photography to create the perfect shot. I love having to think on the spot and never really knowing whether the image is good or not until I get home. Photography, for me, is about having fun in the moment, then reliving that moment each time I see my work.Inspiration
Photography is a form of meditation for me. I allow myself to become still, thus allowing my eyes and mind to connect to my hands and heart. Between them, they know what and when to shoot. Other times I am in practice mode, but I always know when the dynamic duo are at play because I feel a kind of child-like excitement afterwards, knowing I have just been part of something special.Editing
I have only recently installed Lightroom and Photoshop but I haven't given either of them as much time as I would like to. I haven't even opened Photoshop since its first install actually. At the time, my only tools were MS Paint, GIMP, and Windows 10 Photos. I would use Photos for some simple adjustments like contrast etc. and GIMP to add the text. I am interested in developing my post processing abilities but I also understand a man can only do so much with his time and energy.In my camera bag
I have always had a passion for photography, from my first film camera as a boy, to my first digital camera as a young man. And I have been waiting patiently over the last few years for Canon to create the perfect camera for me, which came in the form of a 70D, to which I treated myself in December 2015. I quickly developed the bug of wanting to build up my perfect equipment set (within my current means. of course) which included a super wide (10-18mm IS STM), Standard Kit Lens (18-55mm IS STM), the "Nifty Fifty" prime lens (50mm 1.8) and telescopic (70-300mm IS USM). All lenses are by Canon. My only lament is in passing up a Tamron 28-75mm 2.8, but hey, you can't win them all. One of my first purchases was a quality camera bag (Hama Rexton 170) which is the perfect home for my gear. It allows me to carry all of my lenses, but for general use and lighter travel I have a simple Olympus camera bag my Dad gave me years ago which has enough space for my 70D with 50mm and that is all I need.Feedback
The best advice I can give you is to step away from the automated and semi automated camera modes and dive into manual. Get to know your camera as best you can, and the only way you can really do this is by taking lots of photos. I am not looking for the perfect shot every time. A lot of the time I am "messing around" with the camera and experimenting with different settings. This essential playtime allows me to be better prepared for when a real moment actually presents itself. Know your camera. Know your settings and your lighting. To the point that you are able to act without thinking. This is essential. Life waits for no man. So be prepared. Expect the unexpected. And most importantly, love every moment.
