Danny Obasa
Photographer
Having started out as a fashion model, Danny realised that the other side of the camera held more appeal. He reveals how to shoot an edgy portrait on
y original interest in photography came from a passion for fashion. I started modelling, which often placed me around cameras. I quickly learned that I felt far more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it. This led me to buying my first camera, a Sony A6000, and with it I started my journey as an amateur photographer.
At the beginning of my journey, I took photos of derelict buildings, family and street photography. I started to receive positive feedback, and my confidence began to grow. I wanted to further my skills and my knowledge of the subject, so in September 2019 I decided to start a photography degree. Instagram: @danobasa
Mf/5.6 1/4 sec
Camera: Canon AE-1 Lens: Canon 50mm f/1.8
I shot this image in a dark room, and used one Swiss light to get the light shadow effect through the blinds. This helped create the mood in the background that I was looking for. I wanted the images quite dark, as I needed the photos to have a dramatic feel. I’ve always preferred a darker style, and it’s easy to achieve in this example.
I wanted to find a place within my house that had a minimalistic feel to it, and also use a small space to encourage the focus on the subject. This location was good for me: it was free and accessible at all times, and I could take my time. Using the same space multiple times pushes you to be more creative.
I shot this with a Canon AE-1 Program; I also used a tripod, and a shutter release cable. These enabled me to keep the camera still, as I only wanted the motion blur on the body parts that were moving. I also used the Swiss light to achieve the effect that I was looking for; this added just enough light.
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s someone who’s more inclined to shoot straightforward scenes of landscapes and cityscapes, it’s often good to try doing something completely different, just to mix up the thought process a little. Here’s a quick and easy way to add some creativity to any scene.
If you’ve looked across social media platforms recently, there’s a good chance
Ayou’ll have seen the trend of Lensball photography: clear glass ‘crystal balls’ with what appears to be an upside-down world trapped inside. Capturing images with a field of view far greater than the human eye, it provides an escape from normality – and there’s lots of room for creativity, too!
Available in many different sizes, a glass balls is an extremely simple, if heavy, tool to carry with you. As long as you don’t take things too seriously – and aren’t worried about the relatively poor (refracted) image quality inside the ball itself – it’s a great way to play with the world in your photographs.
Yes, the image quality inside the ball can be awful, as a result of refraction and chromatic aberration, but the results are a bit of fun that can look quirky and refreshing in an image.
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any painters finish off their creations by signing their name in a bottom corner of the work. Their stamps were often also of an artistic nature and gave their work one final touch. In the digital era, watermarks do the same and they’re easy to add to any photo using Lightroom.
Even if adding a signature isn’t your style, there are other uses for watermarks. Some photographers use them to cover an image preview with a ‘proof’ mark, so clients can’t just save the clear photo without paying for the product. And with 78% of photographers claiming their work has been stolen online, it’s important to learn how to start protecting your images.
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