Most professional fashion, portrait and glamor photographers (as well as other types of creative photographers) go through several stages or steps in the image-making process.

First, they get a vision or an idea in their mind's eye.

Second, they find a location and a model for the shoot - choosing the most appropriate setting and the best model.

Third, they execute their ideas in-camera, carefully selecting the camera angle and the position of the model - paying careful attention to the balance of the scene.

Fourth, they expertly choose the right lens, camera settings, and accessories that will capture the scene - keeping in mind the effects that they want to apply in the digital darkroom.

Finally, they post process their work in Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture, etc.

I went through those steps in the making of this picture, my current favorite HDR image, which I entitle, "Waiting Room."

One of the important elements in this pictures was the sunlight. I wanted to shoot on a sunny day to capture those light patterns on the floor. As far as composition goes, I framed the upper part of the model's body within the frame on the rear wall. Including the ceiling fan in the frame was a must. To get the entire room in focus, I set my Canon 24-105mm lens on the 24mm setting, set the aperture at f/11 and focused 1/3 into the scene.

It is an HDR image that I created from a series of three bracketed pictures processed in Photomatix. The cool texture and color effect was added in Topaz Adjust - a plug-in that works magic on an image. Try the Spicify filter and Portrait Drama in Topaz Adjust - two of my favorites effects. Portrait Drama was used here.

I added the frame with onOneSoftware's PhotoFrame 4.

Interested in this print? Click here.

I am thinking of producing a book or 1-hour, how-to DVD on HDR, Photomatix and Topaz Adjust. Any interest out there?

Explor the Light,
Rick
P.S. You can get a discount on Photomatix and onOneSoftware here.