Eternal Feminine
Jun, 2019Views
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Winner in Combining art, yours and AI Photo Challenge
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image is composed of two photos. The image of the young woman was taken in my home in Florida. The second image was taken in a national park in Sedona Arizona.Time
I took the first image of the young woman at approximately 2:30 p.m with only the light from my three large windows. The shot I took in Sedona was around 3:30 p.m.Lighting
For the first shot, I needed minimal lighting so as not to have reflections on the mirror I was using and to keep the white smoke visible and the highlights not to be blown out. Her face on the other hand needed sufficient light but I couldn't use a flash due to the mirror. It took some time and test shots to find the right spot to be able to achieve all the above using only the light from the windows. The shot taken in Sedona was under cloudy conditions. After a long walk through the park, I found a small nook that had various layers of color. I laid on my back to take photos from a different perspective and noticed a formation of rocks above my head that created an interesting V shape. That was the image I chose to use for this particular project.Equipment
For the first image, I used a Canon EOS Rebel T5i. I set it in manual mode, the aperture at f/4, ISO at 250, and the shutter speed was 1/320. The focal length was 24/1. Due to my lighting complications, I did not use a flash, and because my subject was on the floor I could not use a tripod but used my elbows to help me keep the camera steady while shooting. For the Sedona shot, I used the same camera in manual mode, the aperture was at f/11 18, ISO at 400, and the shutter speed was 1/1250 sec. Again, no flash was used or tripod needed, just steady hands. I used a dark reflective removable circular table top and the model used a vape to create the smoke.Inspiration
Although both theses images were taken in different places and for different reasons, they came together while working on a series based on various concepts and ideas on the feminine, and it's different conentations and symbolic meanings throughout history. The symbol V has often been associated with women from the Godess Venus, but seen even earlier in ancient stone carvings. It later was used to represent the anitomical parts of a female body. The love and respect I have for nature, or mother earth, which provides us with all that we need to live, including her cycles of seasons which tell us when to reep and sow. She shows her anger in forms of destruction when we no longer live in unity and honor her, I feel it is very much in line with the female sex. As women, we are able to create, love and nurture but we too have an incredible ability to protect that which we have created or love, this includes our own inner strength, intelligence and intuitiveness. I took both of these particular concepts and united them in an esoterical mannor. By combining the Sedona image,in which the rock formation created a V shape, and the image of a woman looking at her reflection in a mirror, her inner self, it was my hope the two images would be seen as a symbolic comparison of the similarities between the physical feminine and nature, or Mother Earth. The smoke symbolized creation, such as clouds in nature, as well as a womans ability to create beauty from with in.Editing
As this is a composite, I worked on each image separately in Photoshop starting with the reflection shot. I rotated and resized the image first and then used curves to balance the shadows, mid-tones, and highlights. I used the spot healing tool and clone tool to remove unwanted dust particles off the mirror, and facial blemishes. I then used the dodge and burn tool to accent certain areas for them to stand out. Lastly, I adjusted the color saturation to my liking. The Sedona image was processed in the same way. I then pulled the layers of the Sedona image into the reflection image. I did not merge the layers before transferring them so I could adjust each image individually for optimal blending. I put a mask layer on each image and used the brush tool in the mask layer to take away or add back areas on both photos to help blend them into one coherent image. I corrected the curves level, brightness, contrast, and color saturation on both images to help them complement each other. I then used the brush tool again at a lower opacity to soften the edges and better blend the images.In my camera bag
I shoot with a Canon EOS 90D but keep my Canon EOS Rebel T6i with me for backup. I typically shoot with a Canon Zoom Lens 18-200mm. I find it versatile even if it is a bit large. For planned portraits, I have my Canon 50mm lens which is very nice. I also keep a Canon 15-55mm lens kit for backup just in case. I make sure to keep multiple SD cards and charged batteries, along with polarized lenses with me. I have a small tripod in my bag, a shoe flash, and a larger tripod that stays in my car. I always keep power bars and water with me as well as extra clothing in case a change of weather occurs and fabrics if creative inspiration hits me.Feedback
When using mirrors or reflective surfaces be sure the surface is clean. This helps greatly in post-processing. It may take some time to find the right spot and angle to shoot from, as you are capturing a reflection, anything and everything behind, above, and around you will be seen in the reflection. This may include your tripod or furniture. Depending on your set up be careful of using a flash as this could show up on the reflective surface. Smoke on mirrors is not only beautiful, but each shot you take will be different from the last. Take multiple shots so you can find the one that best works for you. Keep a good filing system for your images, these two images were taken in different places and times if I had not properly filed them they may have never met. Using your blending tools will greatly help to combine two images into one, this will keep your composite from looking like a cut and paste collage. Many people like creating collages, you may as well but if you're looking for a seamless composite use the tools available to you. Using the brush tool in your mask layer on each image gives you the freedom to add and subtract areas on each image without damaging the original. Most of all experiment! Take your time while doing composites and explore different techniques. Have fun, and always think out of the box!
