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Aug, 2022Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at my home in Mbombela, South Africa. I am a self-taught photographer and I am now with a strong head towards getting my DSLR Photography Diploma.Time
This photo was taken on a beautiful sunny Thursday morning. Our cat climbed on my lap and started staring at me, so I stared back. With wonder I thought, “What magnificent eyes you have within this lighted day.”. So I grabbed my phone which was next to me-my camera was too far and I did not want to disrupt the moment-opened the camera app, got the settings as I wanted them and SHOT… the photo came out crisp and just how I wanted it at 09:02.Lighting
I believe: NATURAL LIGHT IS THE BEST LIGHT. Unless it gets dark. When using natural light, make sure that your subject is not overthrown by shadows and direct sunlight. When your style uses direct sunlight and shadows, correct your composition, exposure and ISO, they must work together in order for you to have an amazing photo. With this photo, the light through a window on the side gave the most amazing texture to the hairs on the face, and within the eye the light shining from the side made contrast lines in the iris. My favourite part of this photo is to be able to see the window through the reflection of the eye which makes it look like a window in the ocean.Equipment
I used my phone as I could not get the camera without destroying the moment. iPhone 11 camera app. I held my hands steady and ready to take the shot. I took 12 shots.Inspiration
My inspiration came directly at the moment we locked eyes. I just knew that this will be a once in a lifetime moment. I became aware of the lighting, the angles, what I need to do in order to get a stunning photo. And upon realising what I can do, I did it.Editing
Yes, I love this part of photography. I love to exaggerate colours, why? That is my style of photography. I decreased the exposure to -10 for a sincere dramatic effect. I took the brilliance way up to +62 bring out some fine hairs. I made the highlights -50 to compliment the dramatic atmosphere. I made the shadows lighter by +35 to bring out more details in the eye. Contrast! I amplified the contrast by +43 to bring a more attention pulling look towards the eye. I brightened the photo by +13 to work with the decreased exposure. I blackened all blacks by +11 to bring a true black feeling. I saturated all colours by +7 to bring livelihood to the eye. I made the photo +3 vibrant to be more dramatically vibrant. I brought warmth to the photo by +14 to bring out the beautiful bonze, browns and golds. Finally I added +21 HDR/definition to give the photo a more close-up/realistic look.In my camera bag
I usually have my camera which is the Canon EOS 1300D with 2 lenses, the EFS 18-55mm and 75-300mm. I also have my lens cleaner, battery, battery charger, a pen, 2 tripods and 1 monopod. That is my to go.Feedback
Create and not recreate. When you capture eyes, make sure what you want, and how you want it. Always take prototype photos/test shots. Experiment and find your best. If you’d like to capture a high definition eye, have a strong light source from the side and and softer light from the front. When you would like to capture soft and aesthetic eyes, have soft light from the front and a little softer light from the side or no light from the side.
