- Bright
- calm
- Center Framed
- Directional Light
- holding each other
- Indoor
- intimate
- Mid range
- Natural Light
- nude
- Rule of thirds
- Shower
- Soft Light
- Workshop
The story behind the image
We were given just a few minutes with the couple to create whatever we wanted with them, and it was beautiful and challenging at the same time.
The couple was in the shower, they had already loosened up after having us around for a few minutes before the shower shot. So they were just being themselves, enjoying the moment, cuddling and kissing, just minding themselves (and probably the water that kept coming onto their eyes.)
We all tried to be the most subtle in that room, the most important thing was for them to be comfortable, as this was a really special and extremely intimate moment they had allowed us to live with them.
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
During this shot, the only direction I gave them was to change their position from being face to face to have her go against his chest.
I then asked them to feel each other’s presence, skin and to forget about everything else. I spoke to them really calmly and quietly. The last thing I wanted to do was to disturb the moment even more than I was doing so just by being there photographing.
What did you say?
Alright, guys, I am loving this moment so much, I will just ask you to move positions, and I want Amanda to lean against your chest with her back, while you will hold her tight from behind. I know it’s probably overwhelming, but try to just be present, forget about anything else, and just feel each other’s presence and energy
Tone of Directions
Calm
Composition
This will sound crazy, but I never take into account much of the composition, but it’s probably because I am used to it already. I think in this case, I had them both pretty much centered in the middle. There were a lot of things going on there, but right where they are standing, the area is quite clean and clear. I shot this with a 35mm, allowing it to be wide enough, and I also used a glass to create the reflection there.
framing
Center Framed
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
I focused on the faces of the woman, leaving the focus point on the camera mostly in the middle.
Focus Mode
Live View Continuous
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
The woman's face
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/4000 @ f/1.4 ISO500 WB-6600
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
We had natural sunlight coming from the side. It was a little bit before the beginning of sunset, so it wasn’t yet golden hour, but it wasn’t as harsh as before anymore, also because the fence behind them helped with the shadows.
Light Type
Natural Light
Weather
Indoor
Editing Workflow
How did you edit this image?
I used my preset “Desaturated” (yeah, that’s the name) and added a little bit of contrast and warmth to it. I also changed the color of the highlights for it to be a bit more blueish to add some contrast to the image so that it’s not all that orangy.
I added a bit of orange/red to the mid tones too.
Editing Software
Preset Used
Challenges
The biggest challenge was probably the water, as they were having a shower and it was tricky to get closeups without getting wet. Also the fact that they were naked, you always try to shoot without showing too much, and of course, it can be tricky at first to get the couple to feel comfortable.
Solutions
For the water, I just used a 50mm and an 85mm lens to get the closeups so that I could avoid it.
For the fact that they were naked, I always tried to pose them in a way that they didn’t show that much, and to get them comfortable, we all talked for a bit before, and I think once we were all in the mood and used to it, it was all much easier.
Location
Location Name
Playa Viva
Location aDDRESS
Playa Viva, Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Loation Type
Outdoor Shower
Country
Mexico
I think, more than the technicalities, the most important thing I learnt was to respect the time and space people share with you. This shot was a gift, not many people agree on getting fully naked and being with their significant other taking a shower while you are standing there photographing them.
I would have changed the way I approached them maybe. Being a workshop, sometimes we don’t have time to connect, and you forget these are actual real human beings gifting you their precious time and presence.
