Winter Season
Short walk in the woods...
Short walk in the woods...
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Feb, 2017Views
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Beards and Mustaches Photo Contest
Peer Choice Award
Staff Favorite
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Virtuoso
Top Ranks
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on my families property in Michigan where I grew up and spent countless hours exploring. It's where my photography truly came to life when I was younger and where I was really able to refine my skills and technique.Time
This shot was taken on a cold December afternoon while I was walking down one of my families trails. I don't normally like to shoot right in the middle of the day but, with the cloud cover above me and the snow on the ground, the ambient light was incredible and I couldn't help but head out.Lighting
This shot was taken using all ambient light with no direct sunlight or external flashes. With the snow on the ground and the grey clouds above me it felt like I was in a massive white box and everything was reflecting a little light. This is one of the main reasons why I like to shoot in the winter time because it just gives the overall image a very nice soft lighting effect.Equipment
This was shot on a Canon 5D Mark III attached to a tripod with a 16-35mm lens for the nice wide-angle perspective.Inspiration
Inspiration? It actually was the lack of interest in the landscape around me that inspired me to create some "interest" of my own, and since I was alone it only made sense that the photograph had to be of the photographer, or rather it would need to be a selfie. I simply turned the camera around and looked at my reflection in the glass on the lens, and at that moment I knew that was exactly the shot I wanted. The trick was framing the shot and also focusing on the correct area of my face since I was working with a very shallow depth-of-field.Editing
Since snow is very bright on it's own, I had to bring the exposure of the landscape around me down and lighten up my facial features. I also added some purple and blue hue to the background to add some color to the image as well as compliment the colors in my hat and face. All the while trying to keep a cold feeling throughout the entire photo.In my camera bag
My equipment in my bag consists of a Canon 5D Mark III, a 16-35mm 2.8 for landscape shots(or close-up selfies), a 24-105mm 4.0 which is my very first lens I ever bought, a 100mm 2.8 for macro and any random fun shots that I have the opportunity to capture, and a Sigma 150-500mm 5.6-6.3 for all those telephoto shots. I don't go anywhere without my Oben tripod and I also will occasionally carry my Canon 600 EX-RT flash.Feedback
Advice? When the scene that lays in front of you doesn't inspire you or draw you in, change your perspective. Move to a higher or lower viewpoint, or put an object between you and the scene. If it still isn't captivating for you, try doing what I did, turn the camera around and look in the reflection of the glass. You will be surprise at what you can find when you simply change your perspective.
