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I went to a "red rock" area near Las Vegas with a beautiful model and we found this great spot with just the right light of this shot....
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I went to a "red rock" area near Las Vegas with a beautiful model and we found this great spot with just the right light of this shot.
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Mar, 2019Views
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Awards
Action Award
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Creative Winter Award
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Top Shot Award 21
Spring 21 Award
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Summer 2020
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Contest Finalist in Sensual And Sexy Photo Contest
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Behind The Lens
Location
Taken a bit NE of Las Vegas in an area with an abundance of red rock formations.Time
The model and I had arranged a day to shoot at four different locations around the SE part of Nevada. Our first stop was this area of multiple red rock formations. While it was a bit off the main beaten path, it was a hiking area so we had to be watchful for others so as not to offend. This photo was taken at about 9:15 a.m. on September 27, 2018. The model's skin tones, light, and color of the rock formation, along with the ledge that was present all made for a wonderful shot.Lighting
I was very fortunate as the lighting was naturally perfect. The only additional lighting was my Canon Speedlight 580ex ii flash but I was so far away that the flash didn't really add much, if anything.Equipment
At the time of this photo I was using a Canon EOS 80D, which I love and still have as my backup camera. I now have an EOS 90D. All the shots taken that day were handheld, with the Canon Speedlight 580ex ii flash, and an EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens.Inspiration
As I said earlier, this was the first of four locations at which we shot that day. I took 225 shots at this location (thank goodness for digital) and we selected a number of red rock formations for our backgrounds. Most shots had the red rocks in the background but there were some out in the open in the desert and some where the model climbed up on top of the tall rock formations. This, however, is my favorite from the shots taken at this location.Editing
In the original photo there was a small area in the upper left corner where the rock formation ended and you could see a bit of the blue sky. The only post-processing I did was to copy some of the rock from another are of the photo and overwrite the blue sky as it was a distraction. Other than that, the shot is exactly as I shot it.In my camera bag
In addition to my camera I have my EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens I have a few other lenses, all EF-S with IS USM. They include 10-18, 17-85, and 70-300. I carry four sets of batteries for my Speedlight 580ex ii, a defuser for the flash, three batteries for the EOS 90D camera, various filters, lens hood, cleaning supplies for lenses and the sensor, connection cables, SD to USB converter, some reference materials, and a sock with silica inside to reduce humidity in the bag. Depending on the shoot, I will carry my tripod and, if I'm going to shoot indoors, I have a portable studio setup I can use.Feedback
Explore and watch for locations that would make great backdrops for shots. I have used Google Maps Satellite view to locate abandoned corrals and mines in the desert. I have asked around when I see a photo with an interesting outdoor backdrop and photographers will often share the locations. Abandoned buildings and plants (like an old cement plant I found), dry lake beds in the desert, abandoned railroad right-of-ways, old wooden bridges, shorelines, and so many others. This picture was part planning (knowing the lighting situations and timing) and part luck. I had no idea the model's skin tones would fit in so well with the red rocks. Know your ultimate goal, plan ahead, and go for it. This shot, and the rest of the day, took some extra planning as we shot about 80% nude photos. You have to be sure the model feels safe, is safe from prying eyes, and that you are not violating any laws. There is another photo here with the same model taken near dusk on a dry lake bed with the wind blowing from the east and the sun setting in the west. The drape is flowing away from the shadow. The artistry of the sun and wind, combined with the implied (actual) hidden nudity makes for another great shot.
