JAStandring

My Third Christmas

Baby boy loves the magic of the tree

Baby boy loves the magic of the tree
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Dec, 2015

Views

687

Likes

+21

Awards

Contest Finalist in Happy Holidays Photo Contest 2016

Peer Award

Superb Composition

Outstanding Creativity

Top Choice

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in my home. I am self taught photographer of 40 plus years. I live in Northern Canada, where Christmas is a huge event , especially for our children.

Time

Indoor photos are often a challenge, and I strive for as much natural light as possible, however, this photo is so far from that truth. It is night outside, and all I am using is the ambulant light from the tree. Christmas magic and nighttime just go hand in hand here in Canada. We display lots of colour lights, which need the dark to shine in all of their glory.

Lighting

The light in this photo is what really makes the picture come into its magical feeling. The light source is from the tiny tree lights. My subject is very close to the source, an I am very close to him. Only a foot away. This photo is totally about the lighting. It is the most important element in the picture. The child face, lit with wonder brings christmas into a dream world of art!

Equipment

I am using a Pentax K3. It is a work-horse of a camera, with every feature one could want. I am NOT using a tripod, simple because I am following my subject. This is a hand held shot.

Inspiration

Christmas is such an inspirational time of the year here in Canada. Children wait all year, for this one moment in time, where wishes come true and families get together, and trees, lights, gifts and magical all happen. As a photographer, whom loves children and childhood, I wanted to capture that true raw feeling of "WONDER" that is expressed in the heart of the child. To me this photo did just that.

Editing

I have done very little post processing in this photo. Just to sharpen a wee bit, and the rest was in the magic that was already there.

In my camera bag

I have a humble photographers bag. I have my beloved Pentax K3, a telescopic lens of 18-135 (pentax) 50 mm portrait , a 300 Sigma, and 35mm portrait and a tripod, however II do a lot of hand held photos, because I love the freedom of different angles done fast. I own a flash and use it very little, as I love the natural lighting. I really believe that great photos come from great vision, a steady hand and a love to capture the world and its people.

Feedback

My advice on capturing an image like this is to let it happen. Create the scene...trees,.. lights...gifts...etc, then have the child come in, and let that child do what it wishes, you be there, down on your knees, at their level....ready to capture the wonder of what they see and touch. I can promise that you too, will find ,the magic in the moment. A piece of advice. Never be afraid to simply use the green auto on your camera,, especially indoors, because a lot of time can be wasted struggling to "get it right", and in moments with little ones, sometimes it pays to go with the flow and capture the magic.

See more amazing photos, follow JAStandring

JAStandring

JAStandring

My Third Christmas

Baby boy loves the magic of the tree

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow JAStandring

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