Laurel
Jul, 2016Views
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Awards
Action Award
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Contest Finalist in The Face in the Mirror Photo Contest
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Genius
Virtuoso
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in my pool. I live in Arizona so the water was still tolerable in early fall.Time
This was taken in a direct setting afternoon sun. I had a short window of direct sunlight hitting this area of the pool and was lucky as it provided the bright light dancing off the surface which looked amazing from where I was sitting on the bottom of the pool.Lighting
Having that direct afternoon sunlight hitting the water helped bounce the light off the mirror and nicely into Laurels face. I had an older Canon 430EX set to about 1/4 power for some fill. I'm not sure of the effect it had but I used it in every shot. ISO was 125Equipment
I use a Canon 5D MK III, as I seem to do better with a full frame sensor after my 50 years of 35 mm work. The lens was a Tamron 24-70 which I had confidence in over my Canon 24-105. (ADDEMDUM: Upon further review, I did use the Canon 24-105 and not the Tamron...sorry..I'm old ) Again, the Canon 430EX flash and an Outex underwater housing, which is a very resonable and dependable housing. The set up was easy, just a black sheet, some bricks on the corners to hold it down, a brick, which I photoshopped away, to keep the stupid mirror from falling over. I would hold my breath, go under and Laurel would follow a few seconds later, clear the bubbles from her face and take a pose. I would then fire away with my remaining breath running out, hoping that she would surface before I did. One major piece of equipment for me was a weight belt with 20 pounds of lead to keep me on the bottom. With a cheap diving mask on I was just able to see through the viewfinder, compose and hope that the autofocus would catch. I probably could have tweaked the exposure a bit but the histogram was acceptable, the sun was setting, Laurel had too much energy and I was cold.Inspiration
I had photographed Laurel before and she said she always had wanted to shoot underwater. "Of course" I said. "No problem" I said. Can't be that hard I thought to myself..Right. Laurel had lost her fiance in a car accident a year before and wanted to wear her wedding dress for this particular shot. Of course it billowed alot in the water and she would have to come in from camera left or above or below and I would shoot before the dress billowed up and around her. She was very determined and persistant and we were able to get many very good shots. This shot was my favorite as well as Laurels, however, I'm left wondering with what she sees as she looks into the mirror. A brief surrealistic glimpse of her life? A keyhole through which to escape?Editing
These shots did require a fair amount of post processing using Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC. I found that adjustments were almost always necessary with exposure, contrast and clarity. I typed "underwater post processing" or something to that effect into Google, looking at skin-divers who shoot underwater photographs. I found one particular professional who went through each step of his post processing and I pretty much followed his work flow to get started. I'm sure there are a lot of expensive filters or a better technique but I'm pleased with my result. I have this in a 16X24 print and it looks good.In my camera bag
My camera bag is not very full as I usually shoot home studio stuff but my bag has my 5D Mk3, Canon 24-105 2.8, Canon 70-200 2.8, a light meter and a flash. Pretty simple and light.Feedback
My limited attempts (two) at underwater shooting, in a pool, were a challenge. Water is a huge filter in itself so get as close as you can to your subject. Make sure you have a good underwater case if you are using your good DSLR and test it 200 times like I did to make sure it was watertight. A weight belt is a necessity. You can never have enough light. You can never hold your breath long enough. You will need to post process. Having said all that, Laurel wants to do this again. I'm game. Same set up but I might add fish. Kidding.
