Sunset: September 2013

September 20, 2013

by Posted in Canon EOS 5D
sunset
Norridge Hike: August 2013
Beginnings: April 2014

This is my good friend Lauren Z. Canon EOS 5D DSLR, 8/25/2013.

A young woman, Lauren Z, stands outdoors in front of dense green shrubbery, wearing a dark, short-sleeved steampunk-inspired outfit consisting of a black ruffled blouse under a grey vest with ornate details. Her vest is adorned with multiple metal chains, brooches, and vintage pins, including a cameo, watch gears, and various decorative buttons. Her skirt features layered fabric with white lace and purple floral patterns. The natural light from the Canon EOS 5D DSLR camera enhances the vivid greens and soft shadows, creating a clean portrait-like composition. Lauren Z leans back slightly with her arms stretched along a chain-link fence covered in creeping vines and broad, reddish-green leaves. Behind her is a building wall blanketed in ivy, with a white-trimmed window. She wears the same steampunk ensemble with visible jewelry and ornate buttons on her grey vest. Her expression is relaxed, and the late afternoon lighting highlights the texture of the foliage and softens her facial features. Shot with a Canon EOS 5D for a crisp, balanced depth of field. Lauren Z stands confidently in a sunlit alley, holding a delicate lace parasol over her shoulder with both hands. She faces the camera, the harsh golden sunlight catching her auburn hair and casting strong, warm shadows. She wears patterned black tights under her tiered purple and cream skirt. Wooden telephone poles and blurred urban structures line the alley in the background, adding grit and contrast to the vintage elegance of her outfit. The Canon EOS 5D captures high-contrast highlights and detailed textures. Lauren Z is seen from behind walking down the same alley, holding the open parasol above her shoulder. The intricate lace of the umbrella is beautifully backlit, creating a glowing halo-like effect. Her fitted black blouse and layered skirt are sharply defined, contrasting with the cool, muted tones of the shaded fence and wall beside her. The golden hour light from the Canon EOS 5D creates deep, flattering shadows and a soft atmosphere. In a dramatic shot, Lauren Z is nearly silhouetted against a long brick wall washed in golden light. She stands next to the building, parasol tilted behind her, her expression faintly visible. The wall is punctuated by dual industrial piping that runs horizontally and vertically, giving the scene a gritty, urban texture. Wild plants and gravel line the alley at her feet, completing the juxtaposition of softness and decay. The Canon EOS 5D excels here in tonal contrast and dramatic composition. A closer portrait of Lauren Z holding her lace parasol, now clearly illuminated by the setting sun. She stands in front of the brick wall, its texture softened by golden light. Her auburn hair glows around her face, and her vest’s ornate accessories are clearly visible, including metal chains, vintage pins, and a black flower brooch. The Canon EOS 5D captures every detail crisply, with subtle, warm color grading and flattering shadows. Lauren Z smiles brightly at the camera, bathed in the rich amber light of golden hour. Her parasol is held playfully behind her shoulder, casting detailed lace shadows. Her eyes are slightly squinted from smiling, and her teeth are visible in a genuine expression of joy. The sun emphasizes her hair and cheekbones, while the ornate steampunk details of her outfit still gleam with clarity. The Canon EOS 5D handles the highlight contrast beautifully, giving the photo a warm, joyful tone.Lauren was big into steampunk at the time–I mean, it was 2013, so you could kick a can and find a steampunk fan during these years. She was, and still is, also very big into fashion. These days she does a lot more sewing and crafting. (We still keep in touch through regular letters and mail.)

Meanwhile, I wanted to use my DSLR more, and get more practice taking photos of people, rather than just landscapes and deer and what have you. I believe at the time I was exploring doing something like this as a professional side gig. I think the name I had came up for it was “Crystal Phantom Photography” although I may have abbreviated it to CRYSTLPHNTM or something weird like that. I had an online friend make a logo and art and everything, it’s still somewhere on a hard drive I’m sure.

CRYSTLPHNTM did not take off, although I did later get a little more serious with Astral Gaze Informal Photography, another ethereal name–I guess you could call it a spiritual successor.

I did really like these photos of Lauren, though, and I seem to recall her liking them too. It was a great day, perfect lighting in that alley, and since I shot these digital and RAW format, I could play around with the files in Photoshop/Lightroom to my heart’s content. I think the 5th one benefited most from the editing.

Is this the first “modeling shoot” I have on my whole photo journal?

Norridge Hike: August 2013
Beginnings: April 2014

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