Attic
Danish model Sandra D in the attic of a derelict building (complete with rotten floorboards...) in Randers, Denmark
Danish model Sandra D in the attic of a derelict building (complete with rotten floorboards...) in Randers, Denmark
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Jul, 2016Views
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Awards
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
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Behind The Lens
Location
This picture was taken on the top floor of a three story building that used to be a furniture shop in the 50's (the original painted sign, whilst faded, is still visible outside). The building has been derelict for quite some time. I've previously shot in the yard outside and had often thought it must be really interesting in there. As it turns out, a good friend's boss owns the building, so getting access was actually a lot easier than I thought. When I got in, I wasn't disappointed! Three floors of totally untouched decay, complete with crumbling walls and rotten floor boards!Time
This was taken in summer at about 6pm. It was hot (not that common in Denmark!). By the time I'd dragged that chair all the way up the stairs, I was in a right state.Lighting
Lit by a single Godox AD360 in a 1.6m Octabox to the right of the model. That modifier is so big that I almost couldn't get up through the gap in the floor or around the ancient stairwell that leads up the floors. It's a huge pain the arse to move about, and has on more than one occasion threatened to catch the wind and carry me away with it but I love it!Equipment
Although I've recently upgraded to the 810, this was shot with my Nikon D800 (now my backup camera) with the Nikkor 85mm 1.8G - an incredibly sharp lens for the price. I'm shooting with a relatively high ISO, so as to bring in a little bit of ambient light. I'm on the floor trying not to think about how much bird sh*t I'm lying in. The D800 is a sometimes a difficult camera to shoot with but the reward is in the dynamic range and the megapixels - which provide me with plenty of room for creative cropping, often giving me 2 or more shots from one exposure and allowing me to see my shot differently when I get to my workstation.Inspiration
I love derelict buildings and the contrast of putting a beautiful model in the middle of chaos. The ultimate version of this would be a clear shot of a model surrounded by a building being demolished, clouds of dusty smoke all around. I will have to see if I can make that happen...Editing
In this shot it's mostly colour grading and bringing up the contrast and detail in the brickwork, floorboards and debris. The model's surroundings are an important contrast and I tried to make them more desolate by increasing clarity and contrast. The grading is cold and melancholic, I'm attempting to give the model's surrounds even more of a depressed look.In my camera bag
I always have way too much junk in my bag- lenses that I probably won't use and extra batteries and cards that I probably won't need either. Still, I like knowing they're there, should I need them. I prefer more to wing it in a shoot than plan everything in detail. I thrive in the moment and the inspiration of the model and the location. Having everything with me gives me the ultimate flexibility (and develops arms muscles).Feedback
The real star of this shot is the location itself and such stars are often hidden in plain sight. Although they might seem unachievable, they will make themselves available to you, if you engage them and promise to flatter them your photography. Ask around and never be shy to ask people to let you shoot in their buildings - they will often be flattered and excited to see a shoot happening on their property. You don't get, if you don't ask.
