Migration
Apr, 2016Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on a small wall in my studio. It was blank and grey. I expanded it in post processing and changed the color to be lighter. My studio is in my house, so there were literally toys and stuff all around me.Time
I took the photo around 1-2 in the afternoon. Nap time self portrait.I used a flash though, so the time of day for lighting was not important.Lighting
I wanted it to be a high key photo with bright directional lighting. I used a reflector for fill. I knew that I would be putting birds in a directional manner made up of the color of my hair and skin, so I made sure the light created enough contrast to allow for this later in post processing.Equipment
I used one Einstein Paul C. Buff strobe and a 18in. beauty dish for the lighting. It was about 2 feet from my face. I had my Nikon Camera on a tripod in front of me with a 18-140 lens, since I needed the width in such a small space. I tried to have it far enough away and not so wide that distortion became an issue. I used wireless flash triggers, and the self timer mode. It took ten bursts at a time, going about every 2 seconds. I used a large car window relfector to my right to bounce the flash back into the shadows on that side of my face since the light was very directional.Inspiration
I had been doing a self portrait series. This was one of the photos from that series. The photo is title migration. I took it at the very beginning of the year. I had recently learned a lot about myself, and that I have a lot to work on. I tend to be a people pleaser. When it comes to running my business, I didn't know how to tell clients or potential clients what I really felt about something because I was too concerned with upsetting them. I ended up doing shoots I didn't really want to, or even getting paid less than I wanted because I couldn't hold my ground. I am learning that if I am more direct when I need to be, things can be accomplished faster, and overall the client is happier that I am sure of things, and didn't lead them on. It was really hard for me, and I find myself having to redirect my every thought to fight instinct. I am migrating towards a new way of thinking, and a new way of life by learning how to be a better communicator. That was the meaning of this photo. Leaving old ways and thoughts behind, letting them fly off, and migrating towards new things.Editing
Yes, it was a plain blank wall. I did my hair by wrapping it around christmas ornaments to create the balls. There was a lot of hair clean up to take care off post process, and the purple makeup was added in photoshop too. After touch up, hair and makeup, I added the birds. I used a brush shaped like a bird, and used the eyedropper tool to sample the color of my hair and skin, and put each bird in individually. I blurred some more than others, and changed the size and shape of the brush often. Then I sharpened it, and flattened it. I think there were over 50+ layers of birds/ shapes.In my camera bag
I have a Nikon d7000. A 50mm 1.8 lens. A 18-140 lens, and a 200mm lens. I always carry a portable flash and transceivers in case. I also have batteries, prisms, crystals, smoke bombs, chapstick, lens cleaner, snacks, and more with me all the time.Feedback
Think about the end result before taking the photo. Think about if and how you will use post processing. Think about what you are trying to say. Think about every detail. I usually draw out ideas before I take them, and it helps me to make sure I get the shots I need. A tripod is key if you are trying to composite two images from a similar location. By preparing for the shot before you press the shutter, not only will your vision be more clear, but it is less work trying to make something 'work out' later.
