Thursday, May 13, 2010

Prelude in Low Key




 Nikon D700, 60mm macro lens at f6.7 and 3 seconds, ISO 200 
2 flash on rear sync -- one behind the strings on camera right with a snoot and one from camera left with the juice container modifier pointed at the hands.

 
When I was 20 years old my parents had another child and I met my husband just 3 months later.  Mike and I did all the fun things with her that my parents had done with me and my other siblings, but now were ready to let someone else take over --- camping, the circus, Astroworld, etc etc and we loved doing them.  When she was just 6 or so years old she saw a harp played at our church and said that is what she wanted to do when she grew up.  She took lessons and did very well and for Christmas when she was 9 Santa delivered her first folk harp.  Several years later she got the full size harp above.  Listening to her play is a wonderful experience, and ever since I started learning photography I have tried to capture her playing but have never been satisfied with my images.  Then when the low key assignment came up, I thought maybe that sort of approach would better convey the creative and artistic soul that she is.  I tried several variations that included one or two flashes and fast enough shutter speeds to stop the motion of her hands but I really wanted the blur to give the feeling of the music being played.  I used a new-to-me post processing software, Silver Efex Pro, with the Antique Plate choice.

6 comments:

  1. Very nice image Cindi. This was one of the top 3 low key images of the night for sure. You hit on the main motivation for shooting the assignment for Honor's Night - it challenges us to try things we might not otherwise try. Critiques and judging fall a distant second and third.

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  2. I like the feeling of movement the image conveys. The low key effect adds to the mystery of it. Nice job.

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  3. Nicely planned and executed Cindi!

    This was one of my favs for the night also!

    Cheers!
    Barry

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  4. Unlike the judges, I liked the fact that you could not see her face. I think that makes you look more at the harp, its strings and the hands. Very nicely done.

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  5. I have to agree with Larry about her face. I think including part of her face helped make the connection to the hands, but it wasn't necessary to see the whole face. The movement in the hands and arms across the strings of the harp were the focal point.

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  6. Wow, Cindi, this came out GREAT! Love it.

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