Fern
May, 2020Views
133
Likes
Awards
Summer 2020
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Superb Composition
Top Ranks
Top 20 rank
Top 30 rankSame photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in the garden of my parents house during lockdown, which is full of bamboo and ferns. The ideal location for an impromptu photo shoot. As we were in self isolation, and confined to the house we had to get creative with what was around us.Time
I remember after lunch we were feeling restless and both had a calling to be productive, so I got my camera out and just started shooting. Some of my best images have been created spontaneously.Lighting
Despite it being mid-day, the lighting was perfect because there was a covering of cloud, so the light was naturally diffused and soft.Equipment
This was shot using a full frame Nikon D810 and a 50mm Sigma Art lens at f/1.4 which is amazing for portraits thanks to the milky depth of field.Inspiration
In this day and age it’s super hard to create original unique images. It’s inevitable that your work is going to be influenced by other artists. When I need inspiration, I generally check Pinterest and Instagram, but this image in particular was the result of seizing the moment.Editing
Portrait photography can often require lots of post processing to achieve consistent skin texture and tones. I chose to leave this image as natural as possible. I used Adobe Lightroom to colour grade the image and to draw the viewers attention I used photoshop to enhance the models eye. Overall a very simple and easy edit.In my camera bag
As I shoot a lot of portraits I always pack a 35mm, 50mm and an 85mm lens for all eventualities. Also, as I prefer natural light I always have a 5 in 1 reflector to make sure I can bounce light onto the subject if needed.Feedback
If you’re just getting into portrait photography, or already an experienced pro there’s always room for improvement and growth, try to challenge yourself, take inspiration from your favourite photographers and try to recreate and understand how they produced their image. Sometimes concepts for a shoot can come to mind when driving or walking. Get a notebook and write your ideas and visions down when they come to you. Create depth in your images by using props or objects and by separating your subject from the background. But most of all, have fun and embrace the unexpected.
