The “Devil’s Punch Bowl” is a striking rock formation near the university I was attending at the time. I was out with a group of fellow photographers from the club, shooting images for the school’s FAB magazine. I had just bought a collapsible reflector and was eager to experiment with using natural light to fill and sculpt a face, eliminating the need for external lighting like a flash.
One of the other members held the reflector while I played with composition, directing the angle of light and experimenting with different setups. Although the photo-shoot was focused on the fashion, I couldn’t resist taking a few tighter shots. I focused on capturing the reflection in her eyes, making sure it wasn’t too distracting.
Ultimately, I chose to submit this shot from the series because it highlights the subject’s natural beauty—without any clothing details competing for attention. It felt like the purest representation of her.