So this was my second, organized themed photo shoot arranged through a Meet-up Group and I was both very excited about the concept and also quite...fearful because I didn't know a single soul and also because it called for some techniques and skills that I didn't quite have.
But! I prepared by reading a lot of info on "dark waters" shoots and watching you-tube videos about shooting in these conditions and how to achieve the affects. I personally didn't have any lighting except for my on-camera flash which I knew I wasn't going to be using after watching the videos and reading.
The goal was to get the subject - models in makeup and costumes to resemble otherworldly creatures - in stark contrast to the "dark" water and background of the creek where we were shooting. And we were shooting during the afternoon, so the only darkness was going to be from the shade trees surrounding the creek.
The group putting on the shoot were also providing a fog machine and dry ice. I LOVED using the dry ice but the fog machine proved to make it more difficult to adjust my manual settings and still get clear shots. But it did make the background suitably eerie.
There were quite a few models and photographers. I think it was like 7 models and probably 15 photographers. Most of the photographers seemed way above my level and quite a few had lighting - at least speed lights but there were a few with portable studio-type lighting. Everyone was pretty nice and there were some photographers who were extremely nice and helpful to me. But honestly, I don't remember getting too much help aside from some beginning settings for the light, etc.
It was more difficult trying to insert myself into the shots. Photogs were gathered in small groups around the most popular models and each model had at least 1-2 photogs. As I tend to do with my social anxiety, I was hanging back and watching for a bit and taking shots were I saw fit.
The models were so nice and professional for the most part and tried to throw looks to each photographer. I don't necessarily care about having eye contact in every shot...in fact I tend to like to sneak a lot of photos where the models are looking away and - especially in my early shoots - appreciated having other photographers giving directions to the models that I could then piggyback off of if I saw a set up I liked. A lot of these pictures are like that. :)
Also, I did have to do most of my effects work in post-production since I didn't have lighting. So I went for a mainly eerie look with colors, etc., to emphasize the otherworldly nature of the shoot although there are some with "dark" waters. We shot this in Antelope, California at a park with a popular swimming creek. The water had some deeper spots for swimming but we were in an area that was fairly shallow. We had people on either side of us and they thought we were pretty interesting! lol
That all being said, three of these models became three of my favorite models to shoot. They were amazing and so nice to me. As a noob, I really appreciated their kindness. :)))
One of these wonderfully kind and talented ladies will be the entry and ending fairy for the pictures in this post (K-Pop reference): Sandra
And that ends my throwback to this fun and wonderful photoshoot! I definitely would love to do another dark waters shoot in the future! It was so fun. Fingers crossed!
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xoxo
Nikon D3300 (don't remember what lens I used - kit lens? or a 70-300 I had bought used)
