Full
Mar, 2017Views
3253
Likes
Awards
Contest Finalist in Bokeh Games Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Flares And Glitter Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Rain Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Painting With Light Photo Contest
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
All Star
Genius
Superior Skill
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rank
Top 10 rank
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 2Top 10 rank week 1
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken right in my backyard, where 95% of my photos are from. I believe you never have to travel far for interesting photos, you just have to keep your eyes open and pay attention to what's around you.Time
This was late afternoon, the sun was in the perfect spot where it is just over the tree line in the distance, and shining through the lower branches in the nearby trees. This creates beautiful, soft, dappled light in my yard and is my absolutely favorite time to take photos.Lighting
To get the best bokeh highlights from water drops like this the light should be low. And although the color balance was tweaked in post in this shot, the lower light is already warmer and softer. Combined with bokeh highlights, the effect is magical.Equipment
I used my Canon 6D, and an old manual focus Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primotar 135mm. The shot was handheld with natural lighting without any modifiers. Of course, the star of shot was the faulty water hose head, which was spraying water everywhere!Inspiration
I was arriving home from the office and found the kids and dogs all playing around the hose. The sprayer head was a cheap purchase and had broken after only a few weeks, spraying water everywhere. When left on the ground it was a fun sprinkler to run through. The light was in my favorite angle and I could see the twinkle of the water drops from where I was, and knew it would be enhanced if I got a little lower and closer. I ran inside, grabbed my camera and a vintage lens that I knew would give me the bokeh results I was after, and started shooting! Sometimes things happen right in front of you, and all it takes is a camera on hand.Editing
Most of the post processing was about color balance, including muting the sprayer head and enhancing the spray, to help direct the viewers attention up and to the right, along the flow of the water. I added some contrast and clarity to enhance the rim of the bokeh highlights.In my camera bag
My Canon 6D is my only body, as it does everything I need. My lenses are an unusual collect of vintage glass. My favorites are the 135mm Primotar I used for this shot, a 135m Pentacon, a 50mm Zeiss Ultron, an 80mm Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar, and a Kiron 105mm macro lens. I rarely use flash or tripod, my favorite shots are handheld with natural light.Feedback
I collect vintage lenses and use them with adapters on my 6D, ranging from ones built in the 30s to the 80s. If you don't mind manual focus and aperture adjustment, vintage lenses become artist brushes. I find they have more character than modern lenses, which I find somewhat sterile. You have to let go of the idea of capturing perfect sharpness, and realize you can capture something artistically instead. It's not for everyone, but it's a lot of fun!
