Image by Christos, LLC.

Hot in the City!

2009-07-01T15:53:00.015-07:00

105, 108, 111 degrees! Whoa, did it get HOT! For this, I applaud the models, Caitlin, Jennifer, and Michelle for hanging in there to get the shots done. Sure, abandoned buildings are fun, but without the luxury of AC in a Phoenix Summer it can be down right cruel.

Enough of the negative.....This time for lighting, I decided to go extra hard with this set. 1 gridded beauty dish and 1 gridded reflector did the trick. Casting shadows with interesting shapes and textures played well into the upscale attire the girls were modeling. The colors POPPED in the darkness to give it extra impact. All-in-all I was pleased with this shoot, despite the conditions we shot in.

Models: Caitlin Murphy, Jennifer Thiele, Michelle Nuquay
Make-up: Alexander Acosta
Hair: Luis A. Solis
Wardrobe: Shannon Campbell

Playboy® Glamour becomes Fashion....

2009-06-16T21:13:00.027-07:00

A few weeks ago I received a request to collaborate with Playboy® Model Maya Sakura.

Since my photography is pointed more to "Fashion", I saw it as a challenge to use her obvious glamour appeal with certain fashions that would coordinate rather than overstate. With the help of wardobe stylist Mat Uhl, hair designer Denise Le and Makeup artist Heather Wilson we went to work.

I decided to go with hard lighting rather than soft to force a dramatic statement from the model and the fashions she was wearing. From the beginning Maya agreed to take on a more serious tone in lieu of the glamourous smile she is accustomed to, thus emoting perfectly to the camera. The images yielded the dramatic results I had hoped for.

We did finish the shoot with a few glamour images to capitalize on Maya's strong elements. ;-)

Given the success with this shoot, I hope to work with Maya again!

The Photographer's "performance"...

2009-06-09T05:04:00.005-07:00

I remember quite a long time ago when a Make up artist was telling me about this "incredible" photographer she worked with in California. As she spoke, her eyes took on a distant look as she dreamily recalled how he moved about with such ENERGY -- snapping pictures from ALL angles of the studio. Crawling on the ground -- standing on chairs -- shouting from across the room -- commanding the scene before him! As I listened, I began to envision how fun that shoot must of been to witness! It was everything Hollywood makes a fashion photographer out to be!

During our first break, I went to the photographer's web site to verify what I had already suspected. 90% of all his images were blurry -- obviously from camera shake. Several of his pictures also had impossible camera tilts that served no purpose in the frame's composition. I also noticed that the models were overexposed in certain instances -- and quickly converted to B&W for that "artistic look".

Now, I am NOT knocking another photographer's technique. Photography, like art, is subjective to the viewer. However, working with long-lenses for an hour WILL compromise an arm's stability. That being said, let me continue.

When working in West Hollywood about 9 years ago, I was invited to watch a fashion shoot for Vogue and another for Harper's Bazaar. I was dazzled by all of the high-end equipment and the sheer number of artists involved to produce a simple cover shoot. As the art directors and wardrobe were finishing their final touches, I expected the photographer to come out and dazzle me with their technique. When he finally did, I was VERY surprised at how "focussed" he was -- bad, but fitting pun. With his Hasselblad camera firmly affixed to his tripod he began methodically snapping images -- and each frame he captured looked like a winner. What I recalled the most that day is that the ENERGY came from in FRONT of the camera as he and the art directors called forth the energetic talents of the model. Shots were not wasted -- and the models energy was not wasted. Performance wise, I give the photographer a B- or C+ -- but what about his images? What do you think? The cover of Vogue...... nuff said, case-closed. The next day's shoot for Harper's Bazaar was quite the same, except this time, I paid attention to HOW the photographer captured all the splendid details, while maintaining the stability of his shots.

Fast-forward to today. My camera sits affixed to a carbon-fiber tripod with a ball head for maximum mobility. I chose to style my technique from the professional commercial photographers I have witnessed personally rather than the breed you see in the movies. Only if I see an opportunity for a composed angle do release my camera from the tripod. At the end of the shoot and my CF card is downloaded, I choose the images that are the best composed rather than from which ones are in focus or not. I don't worry if the perception of the artists I work with deem me to be "not edgy enough". The proof is the is the pudding -- the final product. Clients, Editors, Agency heads choose their photographers on their final products, not the motion reel of their performance. I can live with a C+ shooting performance, if it one day lands me a cover-shoot for a major label.

The last shots are usually the best ones...

2009-06-08T20:36:00.003-07:00

Here is a shot from my latest shoot. It was shot at the very tail-end of an exhausting day in 108 degree Arizona heat. 3 of the 4 models had left the shooting site for cooler climate but Marlow decided to stay and do this $3500 silver chain dress some fashion justice. Barely avoiding arrest and fines from the local park rangers, the risk was worth it. From the 20 captures I took of her in this dress only 1 was unusable -- a missfire on my part. Choosing which frames to take to post-production was a difficult choice.

This image can also be viewed on my web site.

Welcome to my Blog, this will won't be too painful.

2009-06-08T19:51:00.000-07:00

So, there I was, reading the latest issue of PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER when I read that in order for photographers to reach out to its customers and colleagues, blogging is quickly becoming a great tool. I was skeptical of course, but as I read the blogs of my peers, I began to notice that it was more than just a tool, but a voice. Your own personal soapbox! I was sold.

As both a full-time Art Director and a full-time Fashion Photographer, why not use one of the few hours of peace I get each day to talk about... you guessed it.... more work! How excellent! I now have a fantastic resource at my disposal -- using it for good or evil, I have yet to decide.

Details to follow...