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Comforts of Home: Conveying Depth and Complexity with Bedroom Portraits

sneha — Tue, 09 May 2023 02:25:30 +0000

Comforts of Home: Conveying Depth and Complexity with Bedroom Portraits

sneha Tue, 05/09/2023 - 07:55

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FotoCandiny explores his creativity within the confines of the bedroom in his Creative Portrait Project

Portraying intimacy is something many photographers strive for throughout their careers. To explore the idea and honestly look beyond cliches, Nantpipat Vuthisak - also known as FotoCandiny - heads to the bedroom with a portraiture series that transcends the banal.

Working with a model to convey the cosiness and home comforts of the bedroom, Nantpipat sought to create images that go beyond the preconceived notions of what personal space means.

"The driving force for this concept was to look deeply at all the complexities associated with personal spaces like the bedroom," he said.

We connected with the experienced Thai photographer to delve deeper into how the familiar can open our eyes to new, spontaneous moments of life and channel a sense of timelessness.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 50mm F1.2 GM | 1/320 sec | F1.2 | ISO 160

Unlike street or wedding photography, Nantpipat was able to gain more control over the elements, reimagining his studio into a lush bedroom that was the epitome of comfort.

"However, we also needed to carefully assess how we would use lighting to communicate the snugness that one often thinks of in a place like the bedroom, which is akin to a sanctuary for people," explained Nantpipat.

"We also looked to utilise all the tools and equipment in my studio to match the theme we were going for," he added.

Get down or go high

While the typical challenges associated with surroundings were mitigated, Nantpipat still needed to convey intensity and spontaneity in equal measure. "Here lies the difficulties of this subject. Approaching themes like comfort and intimacy, which are intertwined in our collective experience of personal space, we naturally are drawn to shooting the mundane and trivial," he said.

"The challenge is to use creativity to bring a certain intensity to the photos," he added. To achieve this, Nantpipat went slightly against the grain by experimenting with angled shots. "Typically, photographers will advise that you do whatever possible to avoid crooked lines so as to not ruin photo composition. However, with this series I wanted to explore doing just that in a confined, cosy space," he said.

Though minimal, he also used props adroitly to add to this. "While we looked to keep things simple - just a simple bed, sheets, some pillows, a wood pallet and some greenery - we added a mirror and prism to make the photo more interesting," he said.

Nantpipat also guided the model to reflect on how she feels when in her own personal space. "Her professionalism and talent really shone through because she was able to convey the full gamut of emotions that I think many can relate to in their own personal space," he said.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 50mm F1.2 GM | 1/320 sec | F1.2 | ISO 160

Leave some things to the imagination

When trying to convey depth while shooting in confined spaces, sometimes snippets of the room can be a fun way to intrigue audiences. Using aesthetically pleasing shots that leave a few things to the imagination can pique people's interest, especially when done right.

"I wanted to gain a rainbow-like flare in some of my photos and figured that by using a prism to block one corner of my lens, I could get some very interesting shots. I also used the prism in different positions to see how this effect could convey a homey feel, while adding a dreamlike quality to the composition.

With the Alpha 7 IV, Nantpipat was able to explore colour schemes that fit in with the visuals he was striving for."The Alpha 7 IV's Creative Look Neutral setting is also a very flat profile so it was relatively easy to make changes where necessary to match the feeling that we wanted to convey in the photos," he said.

Making full use of the Alpha 7 IV's Creative Look Neutral setting, FotoCandiny was able to provide an intimate look into personal spaces

Undertaking this project gave Nantpipat the opportunity to put his skills to good use while exploring themes like vulnerability and authenticity. His advice for budding photographers is to try new things and search for inspiration in as many places as possible. "Always try to think outside the box. Especially when doing shoots in small spaces, you can make use of interior design and lighting to snap photos that stand out," he said.

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Out and About Town: Bringing Details to Life in Urban Videography

sneha — Tue, 09 May 2023 02:04:24 +0000

Out and About Town: Bringing Details to Life in Urban Videography

sneha Tue, 05/09/2023 - 07:34

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Jao's eye for detail allows him to capture urban life in his Creative Portrait project

Pinphong Niammanee, who goes by the handle of Jao Filmmaker (@jaopinphong), has a passion for bringing the intimate details of his subjects into view. Be it the thrill of exploring the unknown or a lone flower amongst the bushes, his works bring to light hidden wonders, providing a sense of curiosity and awe.

For his Creative Portrait project, Jao decided to go for the "Model and The City" theme that conveys a feeling of confidence and charm. "The whole idea of the video shoot is to capture both the masculine energy from the city as well as the feminine energy from the model. This gives the viewers a sort of upbeat and high-class experience," he said. We connected with Jao to learn more on how he was able to juxtapose these elements in his work.

Framing the perfect vibe

Alpha 7 IV | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 800

Before the video shoot, he needed to consider locations that had a contemporary and modern vibe. "For my project, I chose Velaa Sindhorn Village in Bangkok as my backdrop, as it has a lot of city elements, including skyscrapers, windows, and artistic building facades," Jao said.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 35mm F1.8 | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 800

Since emotion is the focus of his video, Jao decided to not use props for this project. "I find that using props can distract viewers away from the model. The best moments are ones that are captured or recorded as they are through the right surroundings. For example, I would use the trees to create an elegant bokeh background, while the roof would act as the perfect framing device to keep the model in focus," he added.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 800

Dark-coloured clothes also complete the look by allowing the model to exude an air of style and luxury that fits the urban theme. "The model's jacket also provides the perfect complement for the rigid shapes in the background. At the same time, it also counterbalances her delicate energy, adding more dynamism to the image," he said.

With the Alpha 7 IV, he was able to take clear images without losing sight of both the model and the underlying details

The Alpha 7 IV is Jao's camera of choice as it gives him full control over his shooting setup. "One thing that I like about the camera is the S-Log3 picture profile which retains a superior image quality, regardless of how far you're shooting at. Even crucial elements like shadows and highlights don't get blurred out. This is coupled with the auto-focus and focus maps that keep moving subjects clear and sharp," he said.

The art of balancing light

Alpha 7 IV | FE 85mm F1.8 | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 800

Throughout the project, Jao's greatest challenge was controlling the amount of natural light. "Depending on the conditions, light can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. While it helps to accentuate minute details, overexposure can make it harder for viewers to focus on their subjects, who are the main focus. To avoid that, I would frequently check weather forecasts to figure out the best conditions for taking photos," he said.

On some occasions, Jao would manually adjust the white balance so that the model's facial features remain in full view. "When the weather suddenly changes and you need to compensate for certain light intensities, white balance is a lifesaver as it takes into account colour temperature. As a result, there are no unrealistic colour casts, and you can still produce vibrant tones without having to delay the project," he said.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 35mm F1.8 | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 800

Jao also chose the camera's FL Creative Look preset to enhance the video's cinematic appearance. "Shooting in FL mode resulted in captivating lights and visual effects that enhanced the subject's look and feel, saving me a lot of effort in post-processing. At the same time, I was able to get the right tones without having to resort to colour-grading," he said.

When it comes to capturing details, Jao believes that the two traits all videographers must have are a lot of patience and willingness to experiment. "My advice to those looking to pursue videography is not to be too eager to record immediately. Take some time to plan out the storytelling and always be open to new opportunities, even when things don't go your way. Most importantly, make them about you and your world so that you can inspire your viewers with fresh and unique perspectives."

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Stepping Into The Future, One Picture at a Time

sneha — Tue, 09 May 2023 01:39:25 +0000

Stepping Into The Future, One Picture at a Time

sneha Tue, 05/09/2023 - 07:09

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Jakkarin Moolmanus's love for sci-fi has translated into a strong cyberpunk influence on his style, presenting viewers with fresh takes on a much-loved aesthetic

Inspired by his love for all things sci-fi, Jakkarin Moolmanus has a knack for creating dark, cyberpunk-themed images that give his viewers a glimpse into the future. Jakkarin, who goes by the handle of Jkrnn (@jkrnn), typically incorporates a lot of contemporary elements including cityscapes, bridges, neon lights and urban fashion. Through an expansive range of shooting techniques, Jakkarin's work carries distinctly grandiose and out-of-this-world sensibilities.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 50mm F1.2 GM | 1/20 sec | F1.8 | ISO 2000

For his Creative Portrait project, he explored the use of dark atmospheres and laser lights to probe into the postmodern visual experience. "What I like most about the cyberpunk theme is its awe and peculiarity that takes viewers away from the real world and into another different plane of existence entirely. This is what I hope to portray through my works," he said. We connected with Jakkarin to find out his creative direction in bringing his futuristic worldview to life through his portraits.

No time machines, just the right setup

Alpha 7 IV | FE 35mm F1.4 GM | 1/30 sec | F2 | ISO 1600

Jakkarin's familiarity with the subject allowed him to have a shorter time in preparing his scenes. "One of the perks of being a huge cyberpunk fan is that I had an idea of what the model should look like, what clothes to wear, and how to pose. From there, it was simply a matter of finding the right location and equipment for the photoshoot," he said.

In terms of shooting locations, Jakkarin chose an abandoned warehouse as it emphasised the decaying qualities that are prominent in cyberpunk. "For me, the warehouse helped to convey the bleak and desolate atmosphere which was often present in cyberpunk media. It also helps that there are no distractions which might otherwise ruin a perfectly good shot," he said.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 35mm F1.4 GM | 1/30 sec | F1.8 | ISO 1600

Lasers were another key aspect in colouring the scene. "Watching the movie 'Ghost In The Shell', which featured a female cyborg in a dystopian future, gave me the idea to use dark blue and red for my portraits. For this reason, I used laser projectors that were often used for surveying or construction work. In each scene, I would often re-position the equipment so that they feel distinct from one another. I also added the use of LED tubes and smoke generators to complement the lasers and give the portraits an air of mystery," said Jakkarin.

Using the VV2 setting allowed Jakkarin to accentuate both the light and dark elements to create a sci-fi look

The Alpha 7 IV was his camera of choice as it gave him the freedom to choose between various creative look presets for the desired visual effect. "I used the VV2 setting which enhanced both the light effects and the dark contrasts for a sci-fi appearance," Jakkarin said.

Lighting up the joint

Alpha 7 IV | FE 50mm F1.2 GM | 1/25 sec | F1.8 | ISO 2000

One of the main challenges Jakkarin faced during the photo shoot was ensuring that the lasers do not become a safety hazard for both him and the model. "This was my first time using lasers for my photography project, so I needed to be extra cautious to avoid any serious damage. During the pre-shooting stages, I would take a longer time in determining where best to position each projector so that they are only reflecting the model's face and upper torso. As an additional measure, I would also take test shots to see if they align with the initial planning as well as to find new angles to portray the subject better," he said.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 35mm F1.4 GM | 1/13 sec | F1.8 | ISO 2000

Besides that, Jakkarin also needed to balance the light elements to get the right moods. "I used two LED tubes as key and rim lights to enhance the cyberpunk theme. Another two were positioned behind the model to make her stand out from the dark background. In some scenes, I purposely removed the key light to make the lasers more intense," he said.

For Jakkarin, inspiration can serve as a compass that can guide photographers in capturing the world through their eyes. "My advice for beginner photographers is to use their favourite food, movies, music or hobbies as their starting point. This can motivate them to portray them genuinely while allowing them to hone their skills. The more time they spend learning the craft, the better they can capture other subjects," he said.

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Lights, Camera, Pastel: Applying Visual Artistry to Capture Unforgettable Moments

sneha — Mon, 08 May 2023 15:12:18 +0000

Lights, Camera, Pastel: Applying Visual Artistry to Capture Unforgettable Moments

sneha Mon, 05/08/2023 - 20:42

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Piyarad's Creative Portrait project aims to blend artistic shooting techniques to provide users with a soft and relaxing experience

A master in creative photography, Piyarad Taduk (@nho.fotophy) has captured truly emotional moments that convey a delicate, understated beauty. From tourist destinations to romantic couples, he was able to dazzle viewers with a unique touch of visual artistry achieved through a myriad of shooting techniques.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 50mm F1.2 GM | 1/8000 sec | F1.4 | ISO 160

His Creative Portrait project aims to showcase just that by creating a pastel colour effect to enhance an otherwise simple image of a girl in a field. "My goal is to give viewers a sense of enjoyment and calm from my works. This way, they can better relate to the subjects and get a sense of how special they really are," he said. We spoke with Piyarad to find out how he was able to bring out the essence of artistic photography in his works.

Location, location, location

Alpha 7 IV | FE 50mm F1.2 GM | 1/6400 sec | F1.8 | ISO 100

For shooting locations, Piyarad wanted someplace which could be associated with the feeling of being free and lively. "I chose a place near the Mae Kuang river, which is located just 20 minutes away from the city of Chiang Mai. It is perfect for my project's minimalist and soft storytelling approach as it only has tall, green grass and clear, open sky," he said.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 50mm F1.2 GM | 1/8000 sec | F1.4 | ISO 100

To complement the dream-like atmosphere, Piyarad used flowers and a white cloth as his props and dressed the model in bright 70s-style clothing. "Both the props and clothing are picked out to attract the viewers' attention. At the same time, it provides a pleasant atmosphere that can make viewers feel like they want to be a part of that world," he said.

The Alpha 7 IV has an expansive range of settings which allows Piyarad to create artistic pastel effects, including the SH setting in Creative Look

With the Alpha 7 IV as his go-to camera, Piyarad was able to conjure up vibrant colours and tones that were perfect for accentuating the artistic design. "For this project, I chose to pair the camera with a 50mm F1.2 GM lens and had the F-stop set to F1.2 for smooth bokeh. With SH as my chosen Creative Look setting, I was able to create a low contrast that makes the colours clearer and more appealing to the viewers' eyes," he said.

An airy, delicate quality through natural light

Alpha 7 IV | FE 50mm F1.2 GM | 1/8000 sec | F1.6 | ISO 160

One of the main aspects which Piyarad took advantage of to breathe life into his portraits was the use of natural light. "The late afternoon period was the best time for shooting as the warm lights create a glowing effect for the model's softer skin tones. In terms of poses, I also had her aligned her face and body straight towards where the sun was. With the camera's SH mode, I was able to bring certain details like shadows and highlights into focus, which gives the storytelling a little more style," he said.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 50mm F1.2 GM | 1/3200 sec | F1.2 | ISO 160

The flowers also helped Piyarad in manifesting the storytelling aspects of each image. "I purposely chose flowers of various colours to create unique visual effects that make each image look and feel distinct from one another. In particular, red flowers help create contrast which brings out the model's natural beauty, while purple flowers can complement softer moods," he said.

With artistic photography, Piyarad was able to capture the world from a creative perspective. "Photography to me is an art form in which the 'artist' looks to showcase certain subjects, events or lives through their eyes. My advice for photographers is to think about what you want to present in your image. That way, you will be able to figure out the best props, costumes, shooting angles and tones for the perfect storytelling. Another important advice is to be patient for those perfect moments. Even if you can't get the elements to work for you, it might present you with new opportunities to capture subjects in a different light that are sure to attract viewers' interests," he said.

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Turning Simple Recordings Into Dreamlike Memories

sneha — Mon, 08 May 2023 14:34:20 +0000

Turning Simple Recordings Into Dreamlike Memories

sneha Mon, 05/08/2023 - 20:04

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Benjamin Villataspaisarn wanted his project to showcase soft and expressive emotions through a dreamy-style theme park video

Benjamin Villataspaisarn, also known as Benjamin Filmmaker (@benjamin_filmmaker), has been known for capturing videos on a variety of subjects, from cars to travel, weddings and portraits. The range in his works showcase an uncanny ability to turn everyday objects into precious moments through the lens.