The Ecstacy of Grief
Gem. 2016. Leitrim.
Gem. 2016. Leitrim.
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Nov, 2017Views
1965
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Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Genius
Emotions
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neilbrown
December 01, 2017
Very nice work your choice of place to capture these photos and makes so dramatic!!
seantredway
December 02, 2019
I love this photo! I need more nude photos in my life that are utterly inspiring
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was shot at the edge of Drumlaheen Lough in County Leitrim, Ireland.Time
Gemma came over from the UK to work with me in mid June, when the sun doesn't set until after 10pm, so we were able to work throughout the day in different lighting conditions and take plenty of breaks to recharge our imaginations. This was shot mid-afternoon.Lighting
This was natural light on an overcast day.Equipment
I was standing up to my waist in the lake and moving around to get the right framing to include the reflection in the water, so the camera was hand held. I used a Canon 5D Mark III with a Tamron 24-70mm f2.8. I'm pleased with the image stabilizer on the Tamron.Inspiration
Thematically I was interested in portraying heightened emotion in natural surrounding. Aesthetically Gemma's complexion and hair were great colour and tonal contrasts to the background. We picked the wild buttercups along the shore. Throughout our shoot there was a running theme: Leitrim as a "forgotten county" (with a declining population for 150 years), rugged, poor and full of dereliction...alongside a quiet beauty.Editing
Post-production was just a little adjustment, mainly at the stage of RAW conversion.In my camera bag
I mainly use a Canon 5D Mark III with a Tamron 24-70mm f2.8. Sometimes I bring a Canon 50D which has a Sigma 30mm f1.4 portrait lens, a Lensbaby, and a Canon EFS 10-18 for occasional tight corners. I mainly use natural light and reflector screens. For artificial light I have a Neewer portable strobe with a variety of dishes, snoots, etc.Feedback
I'm always concerned mainly with the emotional and aesthetic content on the image, above considerations for technical results. I "script" most ideas out in advance, while allowing for spontaneity and the model's interpretive work. For me, too much time setting up equipment can take away from a creative flow. If a complex set up is required I do it before the model arrives and then concentrate on both the model and I getting "psyched-up". An assistant can be helpful in complex situations, but a one-to-one shoot where the people on both sides of the camera are concentrating intensely on the story or emotion is most often where the magic is produced.
