Ultimate

sierrasprings

Long Day

Canon EOS 7D

settings

Aperture f/6.3 ISO 160 Shutter 1/640 Focal Length 18/1

location

Sacramento, California, US

upload_date

Dec, 2018

Views

1727

Likes

+190

Awards

Contest Finalist in Keeping It Green Photo Contest

Top Shot Award

Contest Finalist in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 40

Staff Favorite

Peer Award

+437

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

Superb Composition

Magnificent Capture

All Star

Genius

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo in downtown Sacramento at the top of the old Elk's Club building, which was in the process of being totally restored. It is a beautiful old building an I got lots of great shots inside, but we decided to take this shot outside on the fire escape about 12-15 floors high.

Time

It was a long day of shooting in the beautiful old Elk's Club building and as the sun set lower on the horizon the light became golden and almost glowing. The wind kicked up a little and it was a bit chilly outside because it was mid-winter. But, I couldn't resist the light on her face.

Lighting

Because the sun was setting and it was mid-winter, the light was golden and a bit hazy. But, her face was so well defined by the light and shadow and the textures came alive on her blouse.

Equipment

I was using my Canon 7D with my Canon 18-200mm lens; handheld. Because we were out on a fire escape balcony high above the Sacramento streets, I didn't want to add a bunch of equipment for this shot. Besides, the light was gorgeous.

Inspiration

I loved her curly green shirt and the way to low sunlight turned her hair almost red. Going out on the rickety little balcony with the wind blowing and trying not to look down thru the iron grated floor of the balcony were all challenges. But, in the end it was worth getting this particular background with this subject in this light.

Editing

I always touch up skin and remove any objects that may be distracting. In this case, I used Portrait Pro for her skin and Luminar for the rest of the photo to bring out the contrast between the shadow and light and also to bring out the color of her shirt and the color of the background building windows.

In my camera bag

I like to travel light, so mostly I have my Canon 5D and the 24-70 lens on the camera. I like to carry my 50mm f/1.2 lens with me because I love that lens. I also throw in a polarizing filter and my Canon mirrorless M-6 equipped with a 18-150mm lens. I like the camera because it's small and inconspicuous, has some fun filters and I can use the Hybrid Auto mode which creates a daily digest movie while shooting stills. Very fun for traveling.

Feedback

Time of day was key in this photo. The outfit she was was particularly enhanced in this lighting. A great subject is a bonus and background should be very interesting but it should not detract from the main subject. I like to look for movement, too, like the wind in her hair.

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sierrasprings

sierrasprings

Long Day

Behind The Lens

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