Try Me
This is an old shot. I probably should re-work the color a little. But I still like it.
This is an old shot. I probably should re-work the color a little. But I still like it.
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Jan, 2019Views
191
Likes
Awards
Winner in Models and Swords, Knives, or Blades Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Categories
PRO
ArtiztikFoto
February 25, 2019
Congratulations on winning my Models with Swords challenge! Great work!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in my downtown Fresno studio. I am a lawyer by trade, but I rent a 925 square foot space to use as a photography studio in the same building as my law office. Being a lawyer comes with some advantages, and it is a fully-equipped studio, with 4 Profoto B1 lights, such as the one used here.Time
This photo is part of a series of images that I shot of different models after a friend of mine loaned me several swords. In some of the images, I composited the model into surroundings (such as a jungle) to develop more of a story. This image is one of those I just shot and put out more-or-less "as-is." I like the simplicity of it. The model's face tells enough of a story for my purposes.Lighting
I enjoy working with a chiarosuro type of image, and have worked for a few years now trying to perfect the use of minimal lighting. I own four Profot B1s, but this turns out to be overkill for me, as I often use just one at a time, and seldom use more than two. I love their portability, and have started taking them outdoors, in addition to shooting under the more controlled environment of the studio. Also, if I recall correctly, this light was inside about a 5' octabox with a grid. I prefer to use grids on my lights most of the time to get greater control of the lighting.Equipment
I hate to say this, but if I didn't list it on the image, I'd have to go back to my Lightroom catalog to remember how I shot this. I'd be inclined to guess that it was done with an 85 mm Canon L-series lens. But I'm just saying that because it's one of my favorite lenses to shoot with.Inspiration
As I mentioned, a friend had loaned me a few swords. And I normally shoot nudes. So I just thought, "Why not shoot nudes holding, or brandishing, swords?" I tried it with a number of different models. This is one of my favorites.Editing
My images are virtually always post-processed. I despise those who look down on Photoshop and say, "I want to get it right in camera." Yeah. I want to get it right in camera, too. And I do. Just like Ansel Adams with his "Moonrise" image. Google that some time and compare his "out of camera" with the final print, and you'll understand what I'm talking about. (I have a post or two about it on my blog.)In my camera bag
As a lawyer, I'm pretty lucky. While I do sell my work — and some of my pieces have gone for nearly $4,000 — I don't have to make my living off my photography. This allows me to shoot mostly what I like. I did recently get a commission from someone living on the East Coast, to photograph a farm here on the West Coast that they own. It took me a little outside my normal comfort zone, so I carried my whole photography kit with me. I must have had about 14 different lenses out there. I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark III, by the way, and my favorite lens is my 85mm L-series Canon lens. Other than one 12mm Rokinon, I own all Canon gear. That's only because I didn't want to worry about compatibility issues. I have large framed prints in my office that I took with an iPhone, though, so it's not about the gear. I just use Canon because it's what someone got me started with, and over the years I've kept buying it.Feedback
Well, first you need to find a sword, a naked woman, and some kind of light source...
