Can it ever be the wrong season for photos with beautiful orange autumn leaves? Well… it probably can… but they sure are amazing to look at at any time. In this editor's choice article we feature a shoot from polish photographer Michał Banach and model Magda Grosman. They managed to be at the right place at the right time judging by the colours that this location provided. In this Editor's Choice we will again have a 'Why ZZ Loves It' section, in which we talk more about what we loved about the shoot and what stood out to us. Enjoy Reading!
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Michał Banach
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-Photographer-
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About me
My name is Michał Banach, I’m 30 years old and I was born in Poznań, Poland. I've been a blogger and photographer since 2011. For a long time I specialized in aviation photography, but in 2019 I decided to try portrait and female photography. I can say that it got me hooked entirely, and since then, I’m more and more specializing in this kind of photography as both my hobby and job.
This year was special for me, because despite the world situation and lockdowns, I was able to move my photography to another level. After a very interesting summer season and many sessions I made, it was time for autumn season, which in Poland is always great for photography because of the variety of colours and “Polish golden autumn”.
Session
I have planned a few photo sessions this year, and wanted to catch all colours and moods of autumn. After a few sessions, in mid-November I was approached by Magda, with whom I have already made a really nice summer session this year. We had made some plans for sessions, but this one was in some way a spontaneous project. We planned everything in just a few days.
After looking for an interesting place to shoot, we chose to make it in Park Sołacki in Poznań. This place is well known among photographers in Poznań because of the amazing scenery, colourful leaves in autumn and many different spots to take photos. The park is located close to the city center, but you don’t feel this when you are in it. There is a lake and a few small rivers with concrete, wooden and metal bridges, each unique and different, which make this place great for creative and unique photos. Park Sołacki is something like a tiny version of Central Park in Manhattan, New York, but in Poznań. I have already made a few sessions there and 3 other autumn sessions, but as always, I have found many spots I never used for photos before.
We planned that the session would take up to 2 hours, and we would work with several outfits. Because of weather, which was not as good as we planned, we started the session at noon (on Friday 13th), as we wanted to catch as much natural light as we could with such a grey sky. I always work with natural light, without any additional sources of light or flash. I prefer this way of work, because it allows me to work faster, and try different shots, without setting up lights and taking time for adjusting everything to the surroundings.
I also prefer to simplify my gear during such outdoor sessions, all photos were taken with Sony A7RIV and Sony 85mm 1.8 lens (except one close portrait which was taken with Sony Zeiss 55mm 1.8). Most photos were taken in aperture priority mode, which I like the most. It gives me the best control on quality of images, while I don’t need to adjust times for each photo.
This was my second session with Magda, and because of that our good cooperation it went great. We already knew what kind of photos we like, and how to work together. She is a very talented photo model, and she finds herself both in portrait, and fashion photography. Because of that we could make a lot of different photos from close portraits to full body shots.
This was my last autumn session in this park this year, as most of the colourful leaves which make this place beautiful in autumn already have fallen. But it was still a great place to work, as it had a nice autumn mood.
This session in many ways was spontaneous. Our makeup artist, Małgorzata knew only that we were planning an autumn session in the park with mostly black and white outfits. We didn’t plan exactly all photos. I only knew which places were the best to get some photos, but we planned each photo when we were in place.
Post processing
I have my own style of post processing photos which include Lightroom in which I make most of my work, and PortraitPro which I use for final adjustments. I spent no more than 10-15 minutes on each photo to get the final result.
My name is Michał Banach, I’m 30 years old and I was born in Poznań, Poland. I've been a blogger and photographer since 2011. For a long time I specialized in aviation photography, but in 2019 I decided to try portrait and female photography. I can say that it got me hooked entirely, and since then, I’m more and more specializing in this kind of photography as both my hobby and job.
This year was special for me, because despite the world situation and lockdowns, I was able to move my photography to another level. After a very interesting summer season and many sessions I made, it was time for autumn season, which in Poland is always great for photography because of the variety of colours and “Polish golden autumn”.
Session
I have planned a few photo sessions this year, and wanted to catch all colours and moods of autumn. After a few sessions, in mid-November I was approached by Magda, with whom I have already made a really nice summer session this year. We had made some plans for sessions, but this one was in some way a spontaneous project. We planned everything in just a few days.
After looking for an interesting place to shoot, we chose to make it in Park Sołacki in Poznań. This place is well known among photographers in Poznań because of the amazing scenery, colourful leaves in autumn and many different spots to take photos. The park is located close to the city center, but you don’t feel this when you are in it. There is a lake and a few small rivers with concrete, wooden and metal bridges, each unique and different, which make this place great for creative and unique photos. Park Sołacki is something like a tiny version of Central Park in Manhattan, New York, but in Poznań. I have already made a few sessions there and 3 other autumn sessions, but as always, I have found many spots I never used for photos before.
We planned that the session would take up to 2 hours, and we would work with several outfits. Because of weather, which was not as good as we planned, we started the session at noon (on Friday 13th), as we wanted to catch as much natural light as we could with such a grey sky. I always work with natural light, without any additional sources of light or flash. I prefer this way of work, because it allows me to work faster, and try different shots, without setting up lights and taking time for adjusting everything to the surroundings.
I also prefer to simplify my gear during such outdoor sessions, all photos were taken with Sony A7RIV and Sony 85mm 1.8 lens (except one close portrait which was taken with Sony Zeiss 55mm 1.8). Most photos were taken in aperture priority mode, which I like the most. It gives me the best control on quality of images, while I don’t need to adjust times for each photo.
This was my second session with Magda, and because of that our good cooperation it went great. We already knew what kind of photos we like, and how to work together. She is a very talented photo model, and she finds herself both in portrait, and fashion photography. Because of that we could make a lot of different photos from close portraits to full body shots.
This was my last autumn session in this park this year, as most of the colourful leaves which make this place beautiful in autumn already have fallen. But it was still a great place to work, as it had a nice autumn mood.
This session in many ways was spontaneous. Our makeup artist, Małgorzata knew only that we were planning an autumn session in the park with mostly black and white outfits. We didn’t plan exactly all photos. I only knew which places were the best to get some photos, but we planned each photo when we were in place.
Post processing
I have my own style of post processing photos which include Lightroom in which I make most of my work, and PortraitPro which I use for final adjustments. I spent no more than 10-15 minutes on each photo to get the final result.
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Why ZZ Loves It
As mentioned above, the photos were taken in a beautiful location at the right time(we just had to point out that one more time, sorry). Michał wrote, that he only uses natural light sources which feels really impressive looking at the pictures. Using natural light and shadows can be quite the challenge but he pulled it off in our opinion.
What we also want to mention is the creativity with poses and the commitment from the model Magda. Imagine having to lie down on the wet leaves. Things you do for a good shot… Let's hope that Michał got this one on the first try.
What we also want to mention is the creativity with poses and the commitment from the model Magda. Imagine having to lie down on the wet leaves. Things you do for a good shot… Let's hope that Michał got this one on the first try.