The rainiest forecasted week just happened to have the theme of sunsets for the 52 Week Project. This could get interesting…
The theme was announced Thursday. Thursday night was clear, with low slung clouds that hugged the horizon. Bender, the only eager about the walk not the modeling, trotted along with me to the neighboring school. There is a huge field area behind the school that gives a relatively broad expanse of sky.
There was a filtering of light between one of the houses that I set Bender into. A few feet from him and slightly angled at him was my lovely flash, mounted to a quick release plate and set upon my tripod. Way too much light…
Kind of makes Bender look like fashion model…
Adjustments were made. Not enough light. Too much light. Angled light. Faced the light full on, a harsh shadow from Bender (need to soften the light…). It was cold, my model less than interested in staying in the relatively same spot. The clouds of the sunset low slung and hidden. UUUUGGGHHH! The results are… alright.
We packed up and headed home deeming the attempt a bust. Friday rolled around with no sign of the rain. I had been out doing product shots for Atomic Collars (my dog collar business) when I noticed the light had started to trend into the golden hour and the clouds were plump and moody, perfect carriers for the pinks and oranges of sunset.
Bender was volunteered again, as was my flash. This time the tripod was left home. We dashed right out of town to a large open area that faced west. Still struggled with the flash (too much light or not enough) and my unwilling model was more unwilling since there was a chill breeze and he was freezing his little buns off. (Ears? Ha! I have none! I’m going to pout too…)
The sunset wasn’t quite as spectacular as I hoped, but there was a lovely pinkish hue that tinted the cloud’s undersides. And the textures of the clouds themselves was stunning!
Next up visit Pet Love Photography, serving Greater Cincinnati and the San Francisco Bay Area to see if she was able to capture a stunning sunset!
Figuring out the right lighting is such a science! These are beautiful! I have yet to venture outdoors with my AlienBee – soon and I know I will be the same way! LOVE the 3rd to last image with Bender looking off into they sunset – stunning! oh… and look forward to checking out your dog collars!
I also am just trying to figure out how much flash. It’s not easy to manage the camera, the dog, the flash all at once. Nice work.
What I love about the first image: the angles, the angle distortion, the sun flare and where you have placed Bender in the photo to make it all work. The sky and puddle in the flash images are wonderful “props” and there are a number of these images I absolutely love. I have to get out with my flash in a sunset. You have inspired me.
Good for you for heading out 2 different nights. That’s dedication. 🙂
Gorgeous! I would have never guessed at the struggles you had getting these beautiful images!
I also didn’t know you had a dog collar business. I’ll definitely be looking into that!