- Backlit
- Indoor
- simple
- Reflections
- Reflection
- Moody
- LED Light
- intimate
- inside car
- Hand on face
- Beetle
- Directional Light
- Dark
- cuddling
- Closed Eyes
- Close up
- clear sky
- Car
- Window
The story behind the image
They were very connected and we always tried to have moments of authenticity in our sessions; I left them alone for a while and took this image through the vehicle’s windshield. Everything fell into place perfectly.
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
I asked the couple to take advantage of that moment, to exchange caresses and close their eyes, to just feel the music and each other’s bodies. It’s a direction that works really well when you want to express something more intimate.
What did you say?
I’ll leave you alone for a while, I want you to enjoy each other and exchange affection with your eyes closed, forget about everything outside and express yourselves to each other.
Tone of Directions
Calm
Composition
I like this central framing; it makes the photograph stronger, so the intimacy and emotion between the couple in the photo are what sets it apart. Firstly I chose to use a 30mm lens because I felt it was a good focal length considering the distance I was at and it allowed the couple to dominate the frame. I chose to use the mirror of the car to create some reflections as I wanted to convey the feeling that the couple was alone.
Compositional Rules
Broken RulesLeading LinesShoot Through
framing
Center FramedWideNatural Frames
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
Focusing was very simple. I used manual mode, as it would be difficult to focus with auto focus due to reflections from the vehicle’s glass.
Focus Mode
Manual Focus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
The Womans' Face
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/200 @ f/1.4 ISO50 WB-5500
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
Since the inside of the car was quite dark, the light coming in from behind them (the window) did act like a backlight which did help to create a faint rim light (separating them from the background). Since I felt it was still a bit too dark inside, I used the LED Light stick to lighten up their faces. I had it placed in the car just to the left and out of frame.
Light Type
Natural LightWindow Lighting
Light Quality
Soft
Time of day
Afternoon
Weather
Indoor
Editing Workflow
How did you edit this image?
We normally shoot with an exposure of around -1. We made some white balance adjustments in the camera and applied our preset “Alev Cold Green”. We then made a few adjustments like exposure and applied some noise. Finally, I added some extra vignettes to the photo to get the couple’s attention.
Editing Software
Ligthroom
Preset Used
Challenges
The biggest challenge was to focus on the couple, the reflection in the mirror made it a little difficult.
Solutions
I used manual focus, took several photos to ensure the best result.
Location
Location Name
Praia Ponta d'areia
Location aDDRESS
Ponta D'areia São Luís - State of Maranhão Brazil
Loation Type
Car
Country
Brazil
Use the light to your advantage, all the most dramatic photos we take usually involve some element of light in the photos.
