Trying to reach you ...
Aug, 2014Views
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Awards
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Moderator Award
Creative Winter Award
Staff Winter Selection 2015
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
VIP Favorite
Peer Award
Exceptional Contrast
Superior Skill
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
In a private cottage-turned-studio surrounded by lush tropical jungle, in the Puna district of Hawaii ...Time
I was really lucky to have had a bright, clear sunny day, with the natural light streaming in through the windows on the southern horizon ... especially since the Puna District is famous for it's Unpredictable rain pattern's. Since I was moving around the model, I did not use a tripod, shooting by instinct only ...Lighting
Of course, all photographers understand that we, like artists, paint with light photon's, and there is nothing better than Natural Light. Using natural light 'indoors' is a great challenge, especially when shooting at slower speeds, and hoping that your "fast" prime lens, and digital larger sensor will harmonize. I do carry small portable lighting units (cooler Kelvin temps), for indoor environments where fill-in soft lighting adds to the scene ...Equipment
Nikon D7100 with 35mm prime lens @ 1/60. No flash, no tripod, and no interruptions.Inspiration
Hawaii is well-known for it's universal "Island Goddess" celebrations, across all art and media formats ... and I continue to work with many wonderful models that fit that archetype role ... and one image may capture all the feminine beauty, emotion, personality, and sensuality ... where mere words will simply not do. This is one of my favorite images, because I'm not just an Observer, but also a document-or of the Island Goddess movement, as it unfolds ... and it's a whole lot of Fun!Editing
For Digital images, I make every attempt to shoot within a +/- One F-stop, so yes I usually run a 1st-pass with some minimal processing, and exclusively use adobe Light-Room, without filters. Half the time I shoot in RAW, as I just don't have the time to spend 6 hours on one image, with PS. For Previewing, I find Photo Mechanic to be quite useful for pre-selecting images, so really helps my workflow.In my camera bag
One of the most useful tools is a Leica X Vario Compact, that I use as a Scouting camera for on-the-spot photo's of potential models, shooting environments (urban, jungle, landscapes) for future uses, and as a backup. Since I move from one location to another outdoors, besides my prime 35mm lens, I also carry a 85mm + a telescoping Uni-pod for stability.Feedback
First, always be prepared ... have your camera-equipment-accessories bag in a green light "Go-Ready" status. Second, go out there and out of your primary bubble, and shoot something different, day & night, as you will always learn from just the Technical aspect. Third, pay attention to any upcoming local/national celebrations, parades, air or car shows events, etc, and be the first boots on the ground, so to scout out the best Spots to shoot from. Fourth, shoot different Themes, as you will expand your Experience, Creativity and Knowledge base. 'Patience is a Virtue ... ' As an example in one day, I once did a shoot in the snow-covered peak of Mauna Kea, at 14K above sea level in the AM, and then only to hit a local Rodeo in the PM, and then made it to the beach later for some Sunset shots ... What this did for me was to push me beyond the typical "studio space/time", by the sheer diversity of changing and challenging environments ... Just remember that most of all, it should all be FUN!
