Nicole Dyk + The Story Behind
As photographers, we learn something every time we pick up our camera and one crucial thing we here at Bloom have learned is never stop shooting. Some of the most magical moments are the so called in-betweens. In Nicole’s case, when the little one started to get fussy, she didn’t put down her camera, instead she captured a magical connection between a mother and her child which resulted in an image that stopped us in our tracks when we saw it. Continue on to read more about The Story Behind in Nicole’s own words.
IG Handle:.
@nicoledinaphotography
What inspires your are?
I love nature & National Parks so much, that I always look to what Mother Nature is showing me. At this particular shoot-the winds were insane. Almost so insane you were wondering if it was going to be worth it…….& in that moment you have two choices….you can panic or make it work for you. It ended up creating such movement in these images that I loved it so much. We were freezing, but that storm gave such depth with the clouds that I just could not get enough of what Mother Nature was gifting us that night.
Where was this photo taken?
Joshua Tree National Park, California.
How did the location add or hinder to your image?
This location was incredibly neutral. It was such a change of pace for me-coming from Colorado in February! The desert light is so soft and white…….it reflected such a softness with the clouds that I just was so inspired by it all. It is just so good to shoot in different states and locations to push yourself with different light. What a gift that location was.
DSLR, iphone, instant or film?
Nikon D750 shot with a Sigma 35mm 1.4.
What were your camera settings for this image?
ISO-100
1/2500
f2.5
Can you tell us “The Story Behind” this shot?
It was getting super cold at this point. & baby boy was starting to fuss. Mom was amazing & stayed calm……. Then way she was rocking him, soothing him, comforting him. The only way a mother can. It was a beautiful moment.
What speaks to you about this image? What specifically made you press the shutter?
Her connection and calming ability is so up front and center to this image. You can almost hear her humming in the way she is moving. I love that you can feel the wind because of how tight she is clinging onto him and with the movement in her dress. His nuzzle into her neck. Everything about it had me screaming YESSSSSS from behind the lens…. LOL ( you guys know what I mean).
What was your composition technique with this shot?
This shot was not a technical one for me when it came to composition. I knew what I wanted technically with the light, but honestly was just following the movement of moms dress knowing I wanted her body more in the center with her dress creating the movement to the edge.
Did you have any lighting challenges/How did you light the image?
My Sigma lens can be soft when I am shooting directly into the sun so I always tend to bring up my aperture when using this lens to make sure that I can document the details even in the highlights.
Did you use any special techniques – freelensing, prism, etc?
No.
Was this photo happenstance or did you visualize it prior? If so, how did you envision the image and set up for it?
This was one of those in the moment images since baby boy had started fussing. I just love how she was rocking him and soothing him. All the while looking glorious….. I mean WHAT A BABE?!?!?!?
Did you use a preset to edit this image, your own selective edits or a combination of both?
I made this one myself……I have been leaning more towards cooler colors and tweaking around with these in light-room.
Do you have any addition information you would like to share with our readers?
This shoot was such a beautiful gift. It was everything I needed at a time I needed it most. Colorado can be tough in the winter months to really find that creativity. I was invited to shoot this beautiful family in a bucket list location with someone I absoultley admire, Danielle Navartil. She was so fun and such a joy to shoot with. It was honestly such a gift & I love that two photographers can be shooting together and get such different perspectives, colors, tones, and feeling in our work. It really does breed community over competition when you work along side one another. It just was a gift to my heart.
Continue to be inspired by Nicole’s gorgeous work at the following:
SITE | FACEBOOK