Header photo: Amber in daisy field by photographer One Bright Spark

One Bright Spark is a hobbyist photographer based in Exeter, United Kingdom, who has over 10 years of experience.

Following a recent photoshoot in a field of daisies with model Amber (his daughter), One Bright Spark generously gave their time for a quick interview to share their shoot with us.

Check out the interview below and find out what preparation was needed for the shoot, the camera gear they used and more (and, of course, images from their photoshoot!).

SHARE A SHOOT with PurplePort photographer One Bright Spark

How did you come up with the concept? Did anything inspire you?

The concept was pretty simple, really. The first bit of luck is I live quite near the valley and fields where this was shot (I often walk my dog there and go for walks with family etc.). I am very blessed that we have a lot of beautiful natural environments still here in the heart of the city of Exeter, Devon.

Living and breathing the location always inspires me, and, as often as possible, I try to visit to get a break from the computer (I am a web/print/brand designer/photographer, so I am at a screen for many hours).

I find the escape into nature therapeutic and essential for my own mental health and well-being (which I am a big advocate of and believe that we all can benefit from being in nature and doing something to let our creative juices flow - mine being photography). Forest bathing (as the Japanese call it) keeps me sane and, mixed with photography, helps me express my creativity.

I have previously shot landscape photos here before (see images below), so I know how beautiful it is.

Image by photographer One Bright Spark

During the early summer, there is always a rich blossom of daisies and wildflowers/plants, so it is always a pleasure to soak up the beauty of nature and obviously an amazing backdrop for any type of photography. I have been in and out of photography throughout the last 25 years or so but got back into it in a big way a year or two ago.

I had been mainly shooting landscapes or anything else that caught my eye, really (from macro/animals/bands/whatever), as you will see from my Instagram. This is all for my own enjoyment. I also shoot for my own design/branding for clients when needed, but I use photography to feed my own creative needs in addition to my client work.

A few months ago, I wanted to try something different, so I started to look at doing some portraiture-type images, something which I never ever thought I would be too invested in apart from the usual family photos, etc. The need to improve my skill set and try something different was also brought about by most photographers' little addiction - purchasing new kit - (this time some flashes) to work with off-camera flash, try some studio work and see how this could improve my photography and give me a better understanding of light.

Photography is literally painting with light, so I am always willing to push myself outside my comfort zone, learn something new and see how this can be incorporated into my style of image. After one studio session, I was hooked and then started to think about who I could shoot, locations, and styles, and try some different things. And this led me to PurplePort!

I was immediately inspired by the great work and styles of so many talented photographers and the beautiful models/MUA/studios work, so I set about looking to find some local models who I could work and collaborate with to see what I could create.

Image by photographer One Bright Spark

I have not looked back since my first shoot with my first PurplePort model, Samantha9, who further established and embedded my love for this genre of photography. Having an amazing model is so inspiring in itself, so couple that with a great location, and you can't go too far wrong.

I have since done a few more shoots with different models on PurplePort, each with a different vibe/style, all agreed collaboratively, and I have loads of shoots booked in. I have very recently done another awesome shoot with Sam (Harley Quinn Cosplay) which will be posted shortly. I am really looking forward to working with many more amazing models on PurplePort, those I have worked with before and also new faces.

I also try to participate and be active on the site (liking and recommending FPIs, etc.), and I am inspired daily by others' work - so this helps greatly to motivate me with my shoots.

What did you do to plan the shoot?

Back to the inspiration/planning for these particular shots - my previous knowledge of the area/location planted the seed for a shoot in this location.

A couple of weeks back, I did a photoshoot with another PurplePort model, Darcysophia, where again, I used a different local landscape and knowledge of the sun/light/time of day from landscape photographs. We managed to get some lovely backlit images of a beautiful model, so again, this was in my mind when I next took a walk in the valley, and I instantly thought the daises and golden hour sun would make for some beautiful images.

Time was not on my side, as, unfortunately, with all seasonal flowers/plants, I knew they wouldn’t be in their full glory for much longer.

But my second bit of luck is that I have a beautiful daughter who is also very interested in photography, especially the work I have been doing with the amazing PurplePort models, so she was happy to give modelling a go (we may have a future PurplePort model in the making!).

She was happy to pose for me, enabling me to improve my skills in making a mere mortal do model-like poses, and again this was largely thanks to my experience in working with the previous models from PurplePort!

Amber in daisies with sun behind her by photographer One Bright Spark

It certainly helps having some knowledge of the area you are shooting in and a rough idea of the type of light to expect for the style/look you are after.

I often tend to feature the sun in quite a lot of my photography, so it is important to have the right conditions to give yourself the best chance to create and bring to life your ideas. Even with the images I take without using the sun as a focus point, I still tend to rely on it for natural light (window light or reflected light), as per my last shoot with Kate Stardoll.

I find setting up flash can slow the process and interfere with the flow of a shoot and slow down the collaboration to try different things. I quite like the uncertainty of natural light, even when it goes against your plans, as it forces you to try different things and push you out of your comfort zone. On saying that, I am also keen to do some studio days also in a more controlled environment which is a little more structured.

Image by photographer One Bright Spark

How did you arrange the shoot?

As explained previously - simple as I live near, and I had my model, on this occasion, instantly available, so I just had to wait for a good day with the right sunset at golden hour and off we went.

Normally I will do a lot of pre-communication with the model on location and create a shoot plan, mood board and visual to get an idea of the theme/look/style so we can get straight to work and then have fun and go with the flow on the shoot.

What was it like shooting at that location?

It was great as always - I know and love the area, so it is familiar, but I love shooting in any location; the ones you know where you may have some insight into the right positions for light, or new unknown locations, as this keeps you on your toes and helps you adapt and change to the surroundings and conditions.

Image by photographer One Bright Spark

Tell us about the gear you used.

I use a Canon R6 mirrorless and a range of Canon L EF lenses with an R to EF converter.

My favourite lenses to use for these shoots are mainly prime lenses -  Canon EF 50mm L f1.2, Canon EF 85mm L f1.2, Canon 135mm L f2, and the Canon 70-200 IS L f2.8.

All these lenses are brilliant portrait lenses, offering a look that is flattering to facial features (no crazy distortion like you get if you go too wide), and when you get it right, all of these lenses can offer some lovely bokeh and background separation that is beautiful. I used all of these lenses for this particular shoot.

I shoot RAW and then edit in Lightroom and/or Photoshop/Luminar and try to do subtle natural edits just to bring out the colour and some features and recreate the feeling and emotion I felt whilst shooting.

What's your favourite image from the shoot?

For all the images, I wanted to capture a classy elegant feel of the natural beauty and pureness of the model alongside the beautiful environment during the golden hour just before sunset.

Sorry I know this is cheating, but I struggle to choose a favourite image from the shoot (it is my daughter, after all - so I know I am biased!), but four images do stand out for me.

Favourite image #1: This shot I love because of the backlit flowing hair, which is really vibrant, and I love the pose.

Unfortunately, I was a little off on focus, so the other similar one is technically better. Sometimes, a photo is more about the feeling it gives rather than everything being technically absolutely perfect.

But practice makes perfect. These were the very last images of the shoot before the sun set on us for the night.

Settings on both images were: ISO 50 taken handheld with the 70-200mm IS L lens (image stabilisation on) at 182mm f2.8 1/160 sec, so I was pushing it for the limit I can hand hold and get sharp even with IS. On reflection might have been better to up the ISO and get a faster shutter speed.

Amber hair backlit by photographer One Bright Spark

Favourite image #2: This is also a favourite, as I was constantly fighting against the rapidly descending sun to get the right amount of lens flare that enhances the beautiful golden glow but not too much that it completely throws everything out colour-wise and bleaches out the image.

Settings were: ISO 50 taken handheld with the 85mm f1.2 lens at f1.2 1/1250 sec.

Amber amongst daisies with sunlight behind by photographer One Bright Spark

Favourite image #3: For this image, I wanted to capture the facial details and her beautiful freckles, and I feel the black and white adds a timeless classic look.

Settings were: ISO 100 taken handheld with the 85mm f1.2 lens at f1.2 1/1600 sec.

Amber close up black and white by photographer One Bright Spark

Favourite image #4: I love this because it just captures innocent beauty, and I love the way her hair falls, added with enough of the daisy and grass to add some nice texture and depth to the image.

Settings were: ISO 125 taken handheld with the 85mm f1.2 lens at f1.6 1/800 sec.

The 85mm f1.2 is a great lens, but when focusing at such a narrow depth of field, it can be hit-and-miss, but when it works, it is gorgeous. The eye tracking and focusing on the mirrorless R6 also really help you get more keepers.

Amber close up with flowers by photographer One Bright Spark

Thank you for sharing your creativity, experience and images with us, One Bright Spark. We loved learning all about your photoshoot with your daughter, Amber, in the field of daisies!

We hope you all loved it too. Don't forget to check out the links below to see more of One Bright Spark's work!

Here's where you can find more of One Bright Spark's work

PurplePort: One Bright Spark 

Instagram: onebrightspark

Website: www.onebrightspark.co.uk 

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