close iframe icon
approved icon The-Adventure-Woofpack avatar
The-Adventure-Woofpack
Self Portrait - Elven Queen
Banner

Self Portrait - Elven Queen



behind the lens badge
cameraNIKON D810

settings Aperture f/11 ISO 100 Shutter 1/160 Focal Length 400/10 

upload_dateJan, 2021

Views

29

Awards

Treasure Award

Top Ranks

Color Explorer Photo ContestTop 20 rank

Submitted to Photo Contests

Tags

#face #person #human #costume #vegetation #plant #female #clothing #apparel #flare #light #dress #head
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken on a street in a quiet little rural town called Wantabadgery in NSW, Australia. My husband had to be a spotter for cars.

Time

This image was taken at 1:30pm! It was a fairly overcast day, which was giving me fairly even lighting.

Lighting

I took a speedlite with me, but I didn't end up needing one. I was going to use it as a fill flash for my face, however the cloud coverage was so even that this didn't become an issue for me. The only problem I had was some images being slightly underexposed or slightly overexposed because the light was constantly changing, the good thing was that it wasn't too dramatic so it didn't ruin the images. The other thing I needed to consider was exposing for my skin but also exposing for the clouds, as I didn't want any blow outs in the sky.

Equipment

I used my Nikon D810, Sigma Art 24mm-70mm f2.8 lens, Manfrotto tripod. My husband was also a very handy piece of equipment, as I needed him as a spotter to help with focus because I had to keep moving the camera when cars came through.

Inspiration

I loved the symmetry and the lines of the trees. We drove through this road every day for a week and I just found it so whimsical. I was also shooting a "frame in frame" challenge for my Diploma of Photo Imaging, and was shot with the possible intention of using it for my personal project of creative self portraits. I decided to do an Elven Queen theme.

Editing

Yes! I had just watched a surrealist portrait educational series by Kelly Robitaille and fell in love. Kelly has a very similar editing process to me (aside from the inflated head/eyes and little body editing) so I found this process really fun. Kelly's portraits are very different to mine, but her specific style of editing for this created the additional element I needed for my own portrait series, which is a whimsical and magical aspect to the character.

In my camera bag

I have a massive kit, but I tend to mostly shoot outdoors and landscapes so I try to carry light. In the car, I carry two speedlite flashes and one studio light, a variety of costumes, backdrop stand and essentials for on-the-go studio setups. In my camera kit, I keep all of my lenses and my D810. I always take me with: Nikon D850, Manfrotto tripod and my two favourite lenses, the Sigma Art 14-24mm and 24-70mm. I also tend to take my Nisi filters if I'm doing a landscape image.

Feedback

Costume, hair and makeup play a big role in creating characters. I love taking risks with styling to try to elevate the portrait. Try to bring a storyline or concept to your portrait to give it purpose. This portrait is purely an Elven Queen keeping guard at the gate of her woodland kingdom. Concept and Surrealist portraits are meant to be fun, so don't take the editing too seriously either. It is hard to develop a new style if you're always working in your comfort zone, so get uncomfortable!

See more amazing photos, follow The-Adventure-Woofpack

User photo
It’s your time to shine! ☀️

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Already a member? Log In

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, and acknowledge you've read our Privacy Policy Notice.