April 2008 Archives

While it would be lovely if they were for me, they were actually for the massive pillow fighting  shoot we have on Friday... creatively titled "Pillow Fight Girls".

Shooting for Abbywinters, I have to stick to a strict paradigm. Its kinda fun trying to work my own style into that mould, it also opens me up to take more risks, the fact i can blame it on "a work thing" if it stuffs up, is kinda refreshing too.

For todays shoot I had a really somber, dark vision (more me than AW really). There was a good location, a bit grotty, the model was young and thin. I really wanted to drag an old mattress into the room for extra grot... ha! The model however, wasn't feeling my mood. So we ended up doing something lighter. Her long blonde hair looked great when she flicked it, during the frivolity she ran around the small room and the results were pretty cool. I doubt they'll be included in the edit, they're too different to edit into an actual set, but i thought i would take them home and pop a few up here.

 Today I edited a shoot called "Workout Girls" (are you noticing a pattern?) While its not my absolute favorite concept for a shoot, the lighting was nice and we got some good shots, one of which (the model is Magdeline) is below. 

When I first decided to start this blog I knew I wanted to post this picture, but I totally forgot about it until I saw it today. I just really like the light, it is one of the first things I notice when go overseas. The first time I went to LA I was quite surprised at the quality of the light. I had never considered that light may change from country to country. In LA the light looks exactly like it does in the movies (ha!) Its soft, hazy and pollution affected, but lovely and whimsical and makes just about every picture you take look like you took it in the 70's on your way to a key party where you may get murdered by the Manson family. This picture however was taken at about 6 in the morning from a hotel room in Las Vegas.

Tonight I'm sitting up watching "The Cell" I have seen it about a billion times but everytime the late movie turns out to be a horror its a great excuse to stay up and enjoy my lounge suite.

Friday, my friend.

This week: BMX shoot was fantastic, plus it had two of my all-time-favorite models in it. We had plenty of time to go check out the location (a bit of a luxury for AW shoots) and were able to step out a few shots, we were also blessed with good weather. The costumes were adorable too, Noelle and Kristal were in puffer vests, knee and elbow guards were worn by all the girls, vintage adidas shorts, sports singlets, it was very ET (ha!). I really get into the costuming side of things, on the solo shoots its not so important, the girls just wear their own stuff but on multi girl shoots there is usually a theme to follow, I get really anal about making sure its all perfect, I doubt the little details in themselves are noticed, but I'm sure the overall feel of the shoot is much better for it. 

One light I totally under use, and I'm surprised I don't drag out everyday is the para. Its just one of those lights that "make" the shoot. We set up a generator and did a few feature shots with it and it just blows me away, I'm in the process of coming up with a few para specific shoot ideas, so expect to see more of it. 

I was so happy to finish up this week. I must have been mad to commit to hanging with a friend this evening to take more photos! It was a good excuse for some like minds to get together and bounce ideas around. We played with some long exposure stuff and tried out each others gear. We got some cool shots, next time - sand, helpers and a tripod. 

I also went and checked out this exhibition at CCP (Centre for Contempory Photography) some of the images blew my mind, especially Briony Ridley's "Cyclone Isobel" image. Its pretty arresting, and is being used for much of the promo for the exhibition. I stood there and stared at it for ages, it has such an air of anticipation. I went to her site and checked out some of the other work and really dug it. Go Melbourne.

This weekend i'm going to get out from behind the camera, sleep in, pay some bills, sleep in, buy a softbox for an on camera flash for a wedding I'm shooting next week, sleep in.

This girls is amazing! 

Apart from the fact she is a blinker (agh!) she does not take a bad picture... plus she is a pleasure to spend the day with. Kristal and I drove about 2 hours to get to a sufficiently abandoned field. I had this technique I'd wanted to try for ages in my head, but I underestimated how touchy the master/slave system on the Canon 580EX flashs were, it was a bit of a pain, not good for shooting fast or in much quantity. Next time I do this i'll get my shit together with the Pocket Wizards, way easier i'd imagine, those things are the shit.

 

The shoot today was good, but the lighting set up was a bit bland, I'm getting bored with the same old techniques. I'm trying to learn a different way of lighting, the way Corrine Day lights blows my mind, it looks so natural (I'm only guessing it isn't) I have been experimenting but I still have a long way to go, I tried today but it wasn't working. I've been told its like painting with light, so I'm looking forward to picking some stuff up from a photographer/teacher friend of mine.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow, I'm shooting model Krystal (who is stunning!) in a style I have been thinking of for a while, a field, wind, rain... of course this may all change tomorrow when the sun is shining(blah!). Although my last shoot with Krystal went well, I shot her on an overcast day at sunset, it made for some stunning light. (below)