Photo
Jan, 2020Views
2114
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Awards
Spring 21 Award
Contest Finalist in Portrait Magic Photo Contest
Curator's Selection
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Volume8
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Photo Contest Volume8
Achievement in Originality
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Virtuoso
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in my home studio in a spare upstairs bedroom of my home in Dickinson, North Dakota.Time
I took this photo later in the day than I usually like to. I had a short opening of time after my husband got home from work and as the children and he were eating dinner, I ran upstairs to fit in a quick shoot with some flowers I had that were quickly dying.Lighting
What you can’t see in the photo is that I was laying my head in a pile of flowers and under the edge and to the side of my head I tucked my handheld video light. It was set to a light purple color, illuminating the petals and leaking through to my face, although I’m not sure it’s evident in this shot!Equipment
I shot this with my Sony A7rii, using a 50mm/1.8 lens. I had one soft box light turned on as well as my portable video light under the flowers. I also use my iPad Pro and Imaging Edge as the remote for my camera.Inspiration
The majority of my photos are dark and to some, jarring. I don’t do it for the shock value it’s just what I personally enjoy looking at. But on this day, whilst looking at my flowers sitting in the vase I was inspired to step outside my comfortable box and try something new, something softer and more feminine. I find it much harder than my usual niche, but I love a challenge and for that reason it will always inspire me to keep trying!Editing
In my portraits I don’t usually do much post processing other than playing with the colors. Here I did all my work in Lightroom. First I enhanced the detail in my eye using a brush I purchased (one of my favorites!), this brightened them, sharpened and added a nice gloss. I softened the flowers on my crown giving them that nice dreamy glow. Then I lowered the temp cooling, increased the blues and greens, and increased the overall saturation and contrast and there ya have it!In my camera bag
If someone asked me what the hardest part of being a photographer is I would say packing your bag! My worst nightmare is stumbling on the perfect scene and not having the right lens, filter, camera etc to capture it at utmost perfectness! That being said I definitely overpack. I recently purchased this great sling bag that in it I’ve been able to squeeze my A7rii with 3 lenses- a 50mm, 35mm, and 85mm, A6000 with 50mm lens, 2 extra memory cards, at least three full batteries, a pack of various UV, ND, and star filters, a lensball and a prism! And yes my husband tells me daily it’s too much!!Feedback
My advice would be try everything. Of course it’s easy to do what you’re good at or comfortable with, but take a chance, you might be pleasantly surprised by not only your reaction but others reactions to the results!
