Red as red is ...
An outdoor shoot with a "girl-in-the-street"
An outdoor shoot with a "girl-in-the-street"
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Aug, 2016Views
478
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Awards
People's Choice in SHOCK OF HAIR Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Redheads forever Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Virtuoso
All Star
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Emotions
Impressed
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken one Sunday afternoon in one of the many open parks in Hamilton, New Zealand.Time
I was sitting around late on a Sunday afternoon. It was a stunning day and one that I had not taken advantage of having stayed indoors all day. I decided to pick up my camera and go for a walk to the nearest park that runs along the Wiakato river. I mostly took photos of dogs that people were taking for a walk and while I was talking to one dog owner I saw this main of hair walking some 200 yards in the distance. I just knew I had to have a photo of that girl - I have aweakness for red heads. I set off in pursuit after her and caught her just as she was leaving the park. She was very happy to pose for me as she had no reason to ruch home and was quite reluctant to do so as her boyfriend was out of town and would be until the next day. I took several photos of her that day and we arranged for a second shoot. I was veryhappy with the results and she was tremendous fun to work with.Lighting
The lighting on the day was amazing with no harsh shadow - being late afternoon the sun was low but not quite at the Golden hour. She had her own golden halo though and the sun was most welcome to provide us with a nice soft ambient light.Equipment
No fancy equipment was used - I hand held my Nikon D7100 and I used my 50mm prime. It was just a perfect day for outdoor portraits - couple that with a gorgeous red head and how can you lose?Inspiration
When I saw that mane of hair I just knew I wanted to capture it. I have two red headed children and a former red head wife so one might say I am crazy about them. :)Editing
When I took this photo my post processing skills were very limited and I don't think I did much to this one. Other than a crop I believe it is pretty much straight out of camera. I may revisit it and try to improve or change it to something more dramatic but am still very happy with this resultIn my camera bag
I always carry my tripod. My Nikon D7100 usially has my older 80-200 f2.8 lens on it but I also carry two primes in a 35mm and 50 mm as well as Tamron 24-70 f2.8. I also carry a Tamron 90mm macro and a Sigma 10-20 mm wide angle. This latter is seldom used and i do intend to get out and take more landscape photos at some point (time permitting)Feedback
I think the best advice I was given about capturing female portraits is to remember that they are females and they are beautiful (although a lot of women don't think they are) - photograph them accordingly. I try to enhance the female form - I do not take photos that are square to the camera showing wide shoulders, slim the model down (even if she is slim) by turning her at a 30 - 45 degree angle to the camera. I watch very closely for harsh shadows and lines that don't add to the image. When taking really close-up profile portraits of females always, and I mean always, ensure that the nose does not break (extend past) the far cheek line. If it does the nose will always look longer than it is. I try to avoid shooting up at females (unless I have a specific reason to do so) and tend to have my camera slightly above their eye level or higher. This approach has the effect of making them smaller and slimmer. And finally take as many photos as you can and don't be shy to ask ladies if you can take their photo - they will almost invariably be flattered and more than happy to oblige.
