SmithandCamera

The Aspen

Wanted to make a Fall depiction using the leaves that had actually fallen. These are the leaves from the Aspen tree in my yard....
Read more

Wanted to make a Fall depiction using the leaves that had actually fallen. These are the leaves from the Aspen tree in my yard.
Read less

Sep, 2017

Views

233

Likes

+25

Awards

Chatter Award

Zenith Award

Creative Winter Award

Peer Choice Award

People's Choice in "Fall" in love! Photo Challenge

Outstanding Creativity

+26

Absolute Masterpiece

+13

Superb Composition

Top Choice

Peer Award

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this in my small studio at home. Have a few small Alien Bees strobes that I use to take shots like this.

Time

I took this in the evening. I woke up thinking about these shots thinking I could reassemble trees with just their leaves. So out I went for a cool, crisp Autumn walk around the neighborhood. Stopping every once in awhile to collect leaves from neighbor's yards. I wanted to collect different types of leaves from a few different trees so that I could depict each one. I collected these leaves from the aspen tree in my front yard. The dirt was from a planter on my deck.

Lighting

I was experimenting with lighting with these. I wanted the light to simulate the sun and have a sharp drop off at the dirt line. I only used one light for this shot by placing a strobe to the top right of my surface and then partially blocking it from hitting the bottom of the frame.

Equipment

I shot this with a Olympus E500 handheld. Using a Olympus ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD lens. Lighting was a single Alien Bees B800 camera right and above subject to mimic sunlight.

Inspiration

I woke up thinking about these shots thinking I could reassemble Autumn trees with just their leaves. So out I went for a cool, crisp walk around the neighborhood. Stopping every once in awhile to collect leaves from neighbor's yards. I wanted to collect different types of leaves from a few different trees so that I could depict each one. I collected these leaves from the aspen tree in my front yard. The dirt was from a planter on my deck.

Editing

I did some white balance, removing some errant dirt and general clean up in Lightroom

In my camera bag

Back then (2013) I always had my Olympus equipment with me. It included my E500, a Olympus ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD lens, a Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM lens, FL600 flash. Always have a at least 2 extra charged camera batteries and at least 4 fresh AAA batteries for the flash. A flashlight to see and adjust controls in the dark. A Manfrotto tripod - depending what and where I was shooting, either a small travel tripod or a bigger one. And probably a pack of gum. Always want fresh breath if I am meeting someone for a shoot.

Feedback

Write down thoughts when you get them. A lot of mine come to me when I'm first waking up. I try to write or sketch them out as soon as I can. Hate when I have a "great" idea and then it vanishes. Also, never get tired of experimenting. If it doesn't work the first 67 times, try that 68th time... Keep going till you figure it out. Once you do figure it out, write it down. I know our cameras now record the exposure information, but it won't record your setup. So either take a wide shot of your setup or sketch it out. It'll make it much easier to get that shot again on the first try. Have fun and shoot for your own self - not to get likes or win awards.

See more amazing photos, follow SmithandCamera

SmithandCamera

SmithandCamera

The Aspen

Wanted to make a Fall depiction using the leaves that had actually fallen. These are the leaves from the Aspen tree in my yard.... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow SmithandCamera

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Wanted to make a Fall depiction using the leaves that had actually fallen. These are the leaves from the Aspen tree in my yard....
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.