Longing
Had a fantastic shoot with this model at Scripps Pier in San Diego, but the weather was just not cooperating. It was over cast with a dense marine layer. So I t...
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Had a fantastic shoot with this model at Scripps Pier in San Diego, but the weather was just not cooperating. It was over cast with a dense marine layer. So I took a shot of a sunset and composited it with this great moment with my model and voila.
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Mar, 2017Views
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Shades Of Purple Project
Runner Up in The Color Purple Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Color Purple Photo Contest
Member Selection Award
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
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Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Virtuoso
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nkosakowski
January 28, 2018
I love that the sacrf mimicks the sunset colors. Does it all together, fantastic shot!
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
Since we are in the middle of summer, I've been doing a lot of shooting in La Jolla, California. This was no exception, except that it was right at the start of summer, and getting sunlight on a San Diego beach at that time of year is hit or miss. More often a miss.Time
This particular shot was taken in the early evening when we were still getting early sunsets. However in this case, the entire time we were at the shooting, it was overcast, cold and gray. Not a great situation for my models, but it does give me more control over my lighting.Lighting
Carrying over from what I was just saying about controlling my lighting, I am a firm believer in learning how to control it. Don't get me wrong, I love natural light when that's the look I'm going for, but I'd much rather have my Profoto B2 with me, so that I can really dial it in and create more dynamic lighting. This shot was my first time out with my B2, so I was still figuring it out, but I was really happy with how this first time turned out. If I don't have my B2, I always have one or two speed lights on hand.Equipment
In this instance, I was actually testing out the Canon 5Ds, which I would normally shoot with in a studio. I've always been a Canon guy since my first camera and I will likely always shoot with Canon. They've never let me down, and I've gone through every iteration of the 5D series. For my portraits and models I'm currently using the Canon 70-200mm IS II f2.8. I love the compression that lens gives you, and the great background separation. That being said, I am seriously considering the Sigma 85mm ART, but I'm waiting for Canon to make their announcement on their new 85mm.Inspiration
It wasn't so much inspiration, as a change in direction with my photography. I started out shooting landscape and miscellaneous subjects until I started shooting weddings. I learned a lot from weddings both in the realm of shooting, but also in editing, but weddings wasn't my true passion. I wanted to do work that allowed me to spend more time being creative and less time culling and doing assembly line editing. I really don't think of myself so much as a photographer as much as an artist. So I think I've found my niche.Editing
Absolutely. I will always do my best to "Get it right" in camera, but I'm also the type of artist that is never satisfied with my own work. Even if I'm happy with how an image has turned out, I will probably come back to it a month later and do a completely different edit. Whether it's a different style, or because I've learned some new or better techniques. So to answer, yes, I always do post, and I do my own post. I'm contacted all the time by retouchers asking if I would consider working with them. No offense to you retouchers out there, and many of them do some amazing work, but I am very hands on and I will most likely always do my own post and retouching. Again, that's likely, but not impossible. You never know.In my camera bag
Right now it's my 5D Mark IV for the body. My go to lens has always been the 70-200, but that bad boy is so hefty and bulky, I'm trying to force myself to not rely on it as much. There are many times where I've opted not to take my equipment with me, just because it was too much of a hassle. So I'm moving toward keeping smaller lenses handy, such as my 50mm f1.2. You have to really know what you're doing with that lens and it's not as versatile, but it does force you to really think outside the box. With that lens wide open, though, you really have to slow down and be meticulous. Which is difficult for a former wedding shooter. I'm used to being constantly on the move and keeping things flowing. But slowing down is a good thing, and it's something I definitely need to do. Like I mentioned earlier, I also keep at least one or two speed lights with me, as well as a polarizer and a variable ND. When Canon announces the new 85mm, that will likely become my go to. However, I'm a very impatient tech guy, and if Canon takes too long to announce it, I may have to just cave and go for the Sigma 85mm ART. I've heard some amazing things about it.Feedback
Whenever I am asked this question, my response is always, always, always... LIGHTING. Learn it. Learn how it works. Learn how to make it work. Learn how to use natural light, and when you think you've got it figured out, go learn more. There's no such thing as knowing everything you need to know. And with lighting, it makes all the difference in how your images will turn out. Both in camera and in post. Good lighting will make an otherwise flat looking photo look dynamic and filled with life. I will take lighting over movement any day of the week. Once you understand natural light, then learn how to do your own lighting. You may decide that you prefer one over the other, but there's only one way to find out.
