toddkuhns

redhead_toddkuhns

Canon EOS 20D

settings

Aperture f/14 ISO 100 Shutter 1/160 Focal Length 85/1

upload_date

Feb, 2018

Views

171

Likes

+16

Awards

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Top Choice

+12

Superb Composition

Outstanding Creativity

Absolute Masterpiece

Peer Award

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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was part of a studio shoot where we created an image of a mermaid. The model agreed to work for trade and we took a series of shots for the mermaid image as well as images like this for her portfolio.

Time

I was teaching college photography at the time and had access to the studios after hours when the school closed. I think we did this on a friday when the school closed at 5:00pm. We probably shot well into the evening and finished up at 10pm or so.

Lighting

The original goal was to create black and white images with a 1940's Hollywood style lighting. Many of the images had that look but we also loved the color and the images took on their own style. Three lights, if I remember correctly. A main light, hair light and a light on the background.

Equipment

Canon camera, 5d. Studio strobes. Profoto, I think.

Inspiration

I was shooting a lot of Hollywood lighting type images and had the idea to turn a model into a mermaid. I wanted to show off some photoshop magic along with studio photography.

Editing

This particular image has some post processing. Skin touch ups and some softening. Other than that it is straight from the camera.

In my camera bag

I shoot 99% of my work with Canon DSLRs and Canon Speedlites these days.

Feedback

I think the biggest thing that photographers don't make an effort to master is lighting. Without understanding lighting and how to create good light a shot like this really isn't possible. As I said, the original thought behind this shoot was inspired by the Hollywood lighting of the 40s. That is a wonderful era to study if you want to learn how to light people.

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toddkuhns

toddkuhns

redhead_toddkuhns

Behind The Lens

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