The best Taste
Jun, 2018Views
80
Likes
Awards
Fall Award 2020
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Peer Award
All Star
Top Choice
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in a mock up studio at home - my kitchen, on top of the cooker about 3 days after Christmas 2017Time
It would have been taken around 10pm, after a couple of drinks.Lighting
I was playing around with lighting around that time and I thought that instead of using my speed light I would have a go at using a rather bright torch that I have had for a while which hadn't seen a lot of action. The rest of the room watch completely dark so this was done with just the light from the torch.Equipment
I didn't have anything fancy for this shot. I had only been shooting for 5months, give or take. My camera was a Nikon D3300, Lens: 18-55 (kit lens), Manfrotto aluminium travel tripod and my torch. Oh and my wife, to hold the torch in the right place. The decanter was a Christmas gift, as was the whisky. The slate, well that was laying in a draw in the kitchen unused for ages.Inspiration
After having had a couple of the featured drink I found that I had some creative juices flowing. I'd fancied doing something like this for a little while but never had a clear thought to follow. At this point, somehow, I had an idea in my head I could see working and I went for it. I do enjoy my whisky, as that Christmas proved, so it only felt natural to do a shot like this.Editing
There was a bit of playing around in Lightroom with this shot. Not really knowing what I was doing because of being new to photography it was trial and error and looking back at it now, it was a very happy accident. The exposure was raised slightly, the highlights and shadows were played with a bit as were the whites and blacks. The clarity slider was put right to the max. It might not be to everyone's liking but tell me, do you not fancy a tipple after looking at the picture?In my camera bag
My equipment has changed a lot since this photo. At the time I only had the kit 18-55 and 70-300 lenses as well as the tripod and speed light. Since then my kit has changed. I now shoot a Nikon d7100. My current lenses are a Nikon 200-500, Nikon 80-200, Nikon 50mm and yes, I still have my trusty 18-55 which I took this photo with. You may have guessed that I really like my wildlife photography, but I still like to try a few new bits every now and then.Feedback
The best thing I found was to have something that goes together. All of this probably wouldn't of happened if the whisky, decanter, glass and stainless ice cubes were not Christmas presents. Sometimes it really is a stroke of luck. Don't be scared to try something out. Photography is an art and art is subjective. The only persons thoughts that really matter are you own. Shoot because you want to, shoot because you love what you do and have fun with it. Break a few rules with composition or edit. If you don't play, you'll never know.
