Aurora
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www.basiapawlik.com
model: Aurora Dawn - Aurora Dawn - Model
make-up & hair: Martyna Męc...
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https:--www.facebook.com-basiapawlikphotography-
www.basiapawlik.com
model: Aurora Dawn - Aurora Dawn - Model
make-up & hair: Martyna Męczyńska MAKE UP
Read less
www.basiapawlik.com
model: Aurora Dawn - Aurora Dawn - Model
make-up & hair: Martyna Męczyńska MAKE UP
Read less
Feb, 2016Views
4294
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Fairytale Moments Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Surreal Fashion Photo Contest
Featured
Spring Selection Award
Contest Finalist in Fairytale Portraits Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
Genius
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
We shot in my home studio in Birmingham, UK (it was supposed to be an outside shooting but... Brithish weather made us change our plan!). I don't have a fancy, expensive equipment and much space for shooting, so every time I have to do my best. After all, it's not the equipment, but skills that matters.Time
I mostly shoot in the middle of the day, so I can use some natural light coming through the window, which I love most. We started this particular shooting around noon, and this image was taken after 1pm. For me it is important to warm up a little at the beginning, so first images are usually the worst ones, I've notice that it works simmilar for models - the later image, the better. This was a second set we've shot, but my favourite. After taking this image I thought: "Wow, this will be a great shooting!".Lighting
It was a cloudy, cold day in May, so I had to support natural light a little with continous light. As I mentioned, my favourite is natural light, so I can get soft pictures with beautiful deptht, with low aperture like 1.4 or 1.8. I think this may also be why I like this image so much - it's romantic, mystical, and it was my first thought when I've read about fairytale portrait contest. When there's not enough light or when it's changing very quickly in windy day, I use continous light, I use flash only when I really must.Equipment
I shoot on Canon 6D, and I also like to shoot on film with my Canon EOS 5. This image was taken on 6D with 85/1.8 Canon lens which is my favourite. Other lenses I use are: 50/1.4 (Canon), 35/1.4 (SIgma) and few old manual lenses with amazing bokeh, like Super Takumar 50/1.4. I haven't used flash on this one.Inspiration
Well for me it's always very intuitive. I have some favourite photographers, I love to watch amazing pictures, but on most shootings I simply base on what I see and make decitions quickly. Here, when I saw a dress and rings, and how the model looks, it came to my mind that I can use the "headpiece" which is... sparkling christmas lights. I've learnt that everything can work good on picture, you just need to be open minded, and you can create some amazing things even without big expenses. We've been shooting and it just happened - I saw this perfect pose and pressed the shutter button.Editing
I have my usual workflow, which covers most shootings I'm doing. On this image first I had to adjust white balance, I wanted to get clean, silver effect, and with continous light you have to take care about white balance very carefully (the light is much warmer than flash light). Then I did very basic things like cleaning skin, lighting darkest areas, working on eyes. Sometimes I use some photoshop actions or presets to work on colours, but on this image I sticked to natural colours.In my camera bag
It depends on what I am shooting, but for my most work, which is fashion and portrait photography I have: Canon 6D and Canon EOS5 on film, 85/1.8 and 50/1.4 Canon lenses, basic for portraits, especially 50mm is suitable for almost everything, portraits, weddings, events, even for a walk to shoot landscape. I love 85mm, it's fantastic lens for portraits. I also have 35/1.4 Sigma, which I use for fashion - full body shots and on documentary or event photography, this one is heavy but it's one of the best - sharp, gives amazing quality and results. I often use manual lenses for outdoor, like Super Takumar 50/1.4. Amazing bokeh, they say the best ever and I strongly agree!Feedback
Watch a lot and try to understand how it was shot. I think the best advice is to keep trying to be better and better, even if it's hard. It's very important to watch lots of good images, it can inspire you a lot and make you do better, you will be jealous what other people can create! :) With fashion and portraits you need to find some understanding with model and be careful with everything. Even a small thing shot in a bad way can made you image look bad, so it's important to keep thinking and paying attention. And the most important: practice, practice a lot, as much as you can - there's never too much!
