- calm
- Center Framed
- Creative
- Dark
- Front Lit
- Harsh Light
- Indoor
- Leading lines
- Mid range
- Moody
- Natural Light
- Posed
- Sitting
- Window Light
The story behind the image
In this image, the couple was placed against the wall in such a way that the window light + the shadows of the window frame illuminated their faces and were the focus. The challenge was to find the right photo settings since the sun was shining very strongly and the goal of the picture was to still remain “soft”.
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
I asked the two to sit on the floor, “knotted” together but with their faces positioned in the light. I wanted the two to have their hands on each other to increase their bond and passion. The coolness and nonchalance of the two should be reinforced with the scantily clad outfits and the cigarette in his hand.
What did you say?
Guys, let’s have you sit on the floor and get yourselves into a knot. I want you to look into the lens, as cool as you can. Calm. Arrogant. And just give me that look.
Tone of Directions
Calm
Composition
In this picture, I decided to crop it so that the picture appears intimate and the play of light remains in the foreground. The intimacy is favored by the interaction of the couple, the cigarette in his right hand, and the light clothing.
framing
Center Framed
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
In this picture, I focused on the couple’s faces. It wasn’t exactly easy as the sun “burned out” the structure of the faces and it wasn’t that easy for the two of them to look directly into the sun and keep their eyes open all the time. So I asked the couple to close their eyes and only open them at “3” so that they both had their eyes open at the same time.
Focus Mode
Live View Single Shot
Focus POints
Multi Point
Focused on
Her Face
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/30 @ f/5,0 ISO100 WB-6050K
The way the EXIF is written out follows the common photographic method (with the inclusion of White Balance at the end). Here it is broken down:
Shutter Speed @ Aperture ISO White Balance.
Light & Weather
I wanted the direct sunlight, which was shining through the window and projecting the window frame as a shadow on the wall, to be positioned on the couple’s faces so that they were framed by the sun. The couple’s pose is already intimate and close enough that the focus should be on the emotions on their faces.
Light Type
Natural Light
Weather
Indoor
Editing Workflow
How did you edit this image?
I used my presets, which I usually only have to adjust for temperature, brightness, and black tones. I used the brush to paint the burnt-out faces darker, i.e. reduced “highlights” and “white”. I also straightened the image. I always shoot with a warm temperature (about 6000k) and prefer the temperature a little cooler afterward.
Editing Software
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Preset Used
own custom preset
Challenges
The biggest challenge was the direct sunlight, which was really strong and I had to close the aperture. But I didn’t want the image to be too sharp, high in contrast, and too hard, so I worked with a 1/30 shutter speed and stretched cling film in front of the lens to soften the light. Shooting through a Pro-Mist filter and cling film is another challenge.
Solutions
I communicated with the couple and asked them to stay in their pose and not open their eyes until I asked them to so I could focus on shooting with a steady hand.
Location
Location Name
Nümbrecht
Location aDDRESS
Nümbrecht
Loation Type
Old House
Country
Germany
Learn to play with light. During the shoot, it was difficult to suggest this lighting situation to the participants, as they had to get out of their comfort zone and use camera settings that they otherwise never use. Creativity is only possible if you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and think outside the box. And seeing and using light makes you creatively independent.
