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Wm. Bates | all galleries >> Picture a Day for a Year of Wanda Gallery >> Click here for Wanda in November Gallery > Wanda11_27_04a.jpg
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27-NOV-2004

Wanda11_27_04a.jpg

Tonight we are having our first good snow storm of the Winter. While letting Pepper run in the back yard, I noticed the light on the walk way through the garden was very nice. I convinced Wanda we needed to make good use of that light. This was shot with just the back walk light for lighting.

Here is another shot from this evening http://www.pbase.com/image/36855248

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
1/4s f/3.2 at 73.0mm iso400 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time27-Nov-2004 19:28:49
MakeCanon
ModelCanon EOS 20D
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length73 mm
Exposure Time1/4 sec
Aperturef/3.2
ISO Equivalent400
Exposure Bias-0.67
White Balance (-1)
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Programaperture priority (3)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Wm. Bates01-May-2005 14:57
During this shot I could feel the snow piling up on My hair. I am not real fond of the winter cold but now and again it's fun to try to catch a snowflake with your tongue. (grin) I was happy Bill didn't make Me stand there too long though, it didn't take long for Me to get chilled. I spent the rest of the evening warming up in a bubble bath.

Wanda
Lou Giroud28-Nov-2004 11:23
Good shot, Bill, and the trick is not only to recognize good light, it also to direct it in a good way and to expose the picture in a way that all parts of the shot stay in a good relation to the light. Wanda is slightly underexposed which adds to the ambience of her standing in a darker spot of the image. Giving this more exposition would certainly have burned totaly the highlights of the snow in the foreground. I think that the repartition of light on this shot is managed in the best way it could be done and even if the snow is slightly overexposed in the foreground, this shot is in my sight well balanced in light and shades and it will be hard to do better with the same light conditions. Concerning the snow, it makes me jealous to see some. We miss this here.
CJ Morgan28-Nov-2004 10:25
Great shot -- it really has that "winter's here" quality about it.
But oddly enough, in a sort of good way... like this is how it
should look during the Christmas season.
Wesley Aston28-Nov-2004 08:00
don't eat the yellow snow :)
Wm. Bates28-Nov-2004 06:36
No special magic to the lighting. It is just a single incandescent bulb in the back porch light fixture. I'm just guessing; but, I think it is probably a 60 watt bulb. I just had Wanda turn until the light was how I wanted it on her face. I knew the light was right before I asked Wanda to come outside.

I guess the trick is learning to recognize good light. Good light is subtle and soft. The thing is, good light almost glows and the shadows are soft and just dimmer than the main light. So, when you see it you just need to get your subject into the right position to take the best advantage of the light.
Josy's Pics28-Nov-2004 05:28
Great picture... nice lighting.
Guest 28-Nov-2004 04:38
Absolutely gorgeous - I thought it had to be a studio shot with a really quality background and fancy props! Please, do share your magic!
Dawn28-Nov-2004 04:09
Love the hot pink jacket and nice eye on the lighting! Looks like she's going BBBbbrrrrrrrrrrRRRRrr
Dennis Steinauer28-Nov-2004 04:00
Bill, I think you should teach a course on your lighting techniques. You said early in the Wanda series that you were completely new to photographing people (vs. nature). Well, it's obvious that you are a quick (and creative) study. I'll be looking for the course announcement (or the book).
Rich Adams28-Nov-2004 03:51
Awesome!! I'm always so amazed at your ability to manage the lighting so well! Did you use any reflectors or anything on this? The illumination on Wanda seems almost magical! I really curious to know how you get such warm and full lighting on your subjects all the time... Send me an e-mail if you care to share your "secret recipe"!