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How Did They Do That?! Episode 5
It takes a lot to create a great photo, and sometimes the process seems like a mystery to the casual observer. In each episode of How Did They Do That?!, I interview a photographer about the creative process behind one of his or her recent popular photos. This time, I talk to lithiumpicnic about what went into creating Motion Study.
:1: Can you tell me some of the technical details about this photo?
Two 800ws strobes, the lighting was a main light to her right pointing down with a beauty dish and a rim light with bare head shooting in from back left... the white tile on the floor bounced a lot of light back up... i think i was shooting at f9 250 ISO100. I just desaturated it a bit an pulled down the reds a little in post... I added a texture/grain layer as an overlay layer and reduced it down to just give it a hint of grunge... I also rotated it to make it more disorienting - there were no fans she was flipping her head back and kneeling on the floor.
:2: What are you trying to say with this photo?
Like the title says - it was a motion study... just testing capturing motions, sometimes the best images don't have the intent of saying anything at all...
:3: What kind of preparation went into making this photo?
We shot this at 3am. The bulk of prep was her makeup. The hair is a wig. She wasn't sure what to wear so i suggested nudes and the tule material I had bought and cut for a desert shoot a month before - we ended up not doing the desert shoot so it was around the studio...
:4: Did you have a purpose in mind, or a goal for this shoot?
Lighting and capturing extreme motion - the trick was synchronizing the timing for taking the photo with the model's flips of hair and movements... there was no fan.
:5: Did you have any problems or challenges with the shoot?
The wig flew off a few times. She got a headache after 40 or so "flips."
Motion Study is sheerly beautiful--pun intended--and captures the eye in an instant. It features the kind of precision lighting that takes years of practice to perfect. The model's compact pose and use of the long wig in motion fill the frame and create a compelling and effective composition. It's this kind of quality photograph that lithiumpicnic produces time and time again that makes him one of deviantART's most celebrated photographers.
Thanks lithiumpicnic for sharing some insight into your creative process. Until next time, ^superkev out!
Who's this guy?
Ok, so it's been pointed out to me that I haven't updated this journal in quite a long time. Fair enough! It's been well over a year since I wrote that I was back from China. I think I might have visited dA about 10 to 20 times since then. I'm not sure why I haven't written a lot lately. It's not that I don't love dA still. I do. In fact, I'm really impressed with the redesign. The site works fast and it looks great too. There are plenty of new inspirational artists here, in photography and in other media too.
Anyway, I'm not sure if anyone here still remembers me, but I wanted to write something more up to date to satisfy my own needs. I do
Narcolepsy
Hey I'm back from my trip to China. I met lots of cool people, saw a lot of amazing things, and took a lot of photos. I'm still going through them, but I'll post my favorites soon.
Motherland!
Hey, I'm taking a photo trip to China starting on October 1. I'll be flying to Beijing, mucking around for a week or so there, then going down to Shanghai for a few days, and then Guangzhou. I'll end up in Hong Kong around the 20th, I think, then off to Bangkok (yes I know it's not in China) on the 24th for a week.
Has anyone been to China before? Do you live there? If you do, can I meet you? What and who should I shoot? Although I'd like to see some of the main sights, I would like to get off the beaten track a bit too. Any suggestions?
From my watch
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New website - www.kevinthom.com
Allo. Well I've been hard at work lately. My most recent project was a complete overhaul of my website. I had the same website since 2004, basically, and it needed refreshment. It needed to be more modern, a better showcase of my work and motives, and more functional. I thought about it for months, figuring out what was needed. It took me a while to come up with a design I liked too. Finally I pounced on the project last week and worked on it solidly for about five days until I was satisfied. I'm actually surprised how fast I did this, so I'm thinking I must have missed something. So, I'm open to suggestions. Let me know if you can find anyth
© 2007 - 2024 superkev
Comments18
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So happy you chose this image for your feature!
I just noticed it a few days ago and i guessed for a long time with a friend about the technical details of it.
It's great that now i can read all of it first hand from the photographer.
I hope some day i will be also featured in this series of articles. I'd consider that a big accomplishment.
I just noticed it a few days ago and i guessed for a long time with a friend about the technical details of it.
It's great that now i can read all of it first hand from the photographer.
I hope some day i will be also featured in this series of articles. I'd consider that a big accomplishment.