Final Shoot of 2011

Well I had my last shoot of the year today with Laura, aka Summer30. The shoot was done at my compact and bijou home and utilised the only viable space in the house, the only bedroom in the place!

A fairly long day started with a drive to Gloucester to collect Laura and then drive home, a short shoot followed by downloading all of the images, for a quick editing session. I edited four of the shots that Laura liked, and put the lot onto a DVD for her use, and then drove her back to Gloucester in time to start her New Year revelries.

A Happy New Year to you all.

Maternity Shoot

I have known and worked ERosanne for a few years now, and was really pleased for her when she told me that she was pregnant and expecting a baby in the new year. Last week I had an opportunity to do a quick shoot with her while she was in the area, having had a casting taken of her baby bump.

I cannot claim that any of the ideas are mine, as she had some definite ideas about what she wanted to do that were different, as she has always been really good at spotting an effective scenario for an image, and has done quite a few shoots recently, I was quite happy to work with the ideas that she had. Take a look at the images and see what you think.

Another Shoot With Two Models

I seem to be making a habit of working with two models together on one shoot having just done a shoot with Fire’s Secret and S_Olivia at J&A Studios in Gloucester.

The shoot was very entertaining as the two models got on very well together and also worked well together with Sharon (Fire’s Secret) helping S_Olivia, who is a relative newcomer to modelling, with poses and both of them coming up with some excellent ideas.

The first set was with them both working nude, and making some very good images. This was followed by some clothed shots, and some to a Christmas theme.

The last set of images which also proved to be the most interesting were of them together on a black sofa, all lit with a single soft box.

Gymnastic Drama Queen

I recently had a rare excursion to Cheltenham to work in FilmPhoto Studios with S_Olivia. I have worked with this model several times over the last year, and she has recently started to work to artistic nude levels. When I mentioned that she seemed to be very relaxed with nudity she stated, “well I am a Drama Queen, acting is what I do!” I also know that she had also been quite active in the gymnastic world when she was younger and is quite flexible, so with this in mind we set about working in a large studio space together for the first time.

I had intended to do some bodyscapes, creating landscapes with the human body, type of images to start with, followed by other images that would follow a colour theme and other well worn themes that I keep returning to. Unfortunately we were running slightly late when we arrived and had to set up on our own as the manager of the studio was away that day, so some of my best laid plans had to be modified to achieve what I wanted, the bodyscapes were done in the vertical as I could not locate a suitable table to use, I suppose we could have stretched out on the floor, but I am afraid crawling about on the studio floor is not something I can do easily these days, it has something to do with getting old I think.

All in all it was a productive shoot, and here is a sample set of images from the day.

There Is A First Time For Everything

I have been doing shoots with S_Olivia for nearly a year now, and she recently decided that it was time to move on with her modelling and try out some new styles as she had recently celebrated her 18^th birthday.

To this end she has decided to add topless and nude to the modelling styles she is happy to work to and over the last week I have had two shoots with her and you can see some of the results below.

Photographic Societies / Clubs

Over the years I have been an active member of several photographically orientated clubs and societies. I have found these groups very useful places to learn and develop my photography, but I do find myself frustrated with the comments that many competition judges make about all of the work they are judging, to the extent that I no longer go to competition judging events, although I do enter the competitions.

This wee at the Society that I currently attend, they had critique evening where we were all asked to bring along two images for projection in the format that the society uses for competitions, i.e. the finished image must be 1400 pixels wide by 1050 pixels high, if your image is in portrait format you are expected to increase the canvas width with a plain black in-fill.

Most of my studio work is photographed against a black background, so the first comment when my first photo was shown was “It’s a pity it’s in the middle of the frame”! So after it was explained that this was a portrait format presented as per competition rules there then came the comment that should put a white key line around the edge of the photo, fair point so I will take it on board, but to my surprise the original comment was stated at least once more!

As the general discussion about my image continued I was taken by the interpretation of the image as presented, one person queried why I had not shown the full length of the chair that the model, ERosanne, was sat on. I pointed out that the studio floor was heavily scuffed and it was easier for me to crop it out, then another jokers said you could have put down some black paper!!!!!!!!! The studio I was using for the shoot was huge, and as it was new year I there were no shops open for me to go and purchase said paper, as more comments were emerging from the assembled multitude it dawned on me that the members of the Society I belong to are all Camera Club Judges in the making.

 The photo as presented

The photo as it was taken

Note to self; avoid these critique events if you want to retain your sanity!

A Weekend Away

Having been made redundant, I had a weekend away from home and had a chance to meet up with old friends and to indulge in some photography. On the Saturday morning I packed the car with all of the kit I was going to need and some things that I thought might be required over the weekend, and set off for St. Athan in South Wales.

Two and a half hours later I pulled up in the driveway, rang the doorbell and waited and waited, after a while I phoned all the numbers that I had to hand to no avail, so I tried the door and it was open! I eventually found everyone luxuriating in the hot tub and after introductions I settled down for a chat with everyone.

On the Sunday a late start and breakfast, and the two girls I came to photograph started to get ready for the shoot, hair was done and basic makeup applied and we then all set off to the location for the shoot. At the location I unloaded my car and set up all of my portable studio kit and generally prepared myself for the shoot while the final makeup was completed and we were ready for the shoot.

 Madi

 Madi

 Madi

My models for the day was Madi, the daughter of Lyndy who had modelled for me back in the 1970’s and 1980’s, and Madi’s friend Shanice. Lyndy did all of the hair styling and makeup for the shoot, a task that she has done for me in the past, and Lyndy’s sister Liana helped out as well as providing accommodation and meals for the weekend.

 Shanice

 Shanice

 Shanice

On the Monday morning I met another friend, Jackie and her sister Denise, at the Beach Café at Llantwit Major Beach, which was a very welcoming place on a cold and damp morning, and as all photographers, are supposed to, I always have a camera with me and took a quick snap of the sisters together.

Denise and Jackie

Autumn Nears

As the autumn approaches, I managed to do a couple of shoots with Laura, who’s modelling name is Summer30, and managed to shoot on the one scorching weekend we seemed to have had this year!

The first shoot was mid September and I collected Laura from a very plush looking hotel near Westonbirt Arboretum, and travelled back to my place for the shoot. The weather wasn’t too bad and we did manage to get some different shots, which included some shots of Laura in her new boots, and some lingerie style shots. I am not a great fan of lingerie preferring so shoot nudes, but I did get some pleasing images, as well as another chance to do some shots with my new prop, the crystal ball!

The second shoot was the first weekend of October, which was incredibly warm with record temperatures. This time I collected Laura from Gloucester, this time with a courtesy car as my own car was at the garage for a servicing. On the way back to my place the garage called to say that my car would not be ready until Monday and would cost a small fortune as it needed new tyres all round and new front disks and break pads.

Once back at my place, we got down to work, starting with a cup of coffee, followed by set of Laura in jeans and shirt, which did not stay on for long, followed by some work with bondage tape. Laura then demonstrated her gymnastic ability by doing handstands on the lawn, while wearing just a loose fitting shirt; I might post some of those shots later!

All in all a couple of good shoots.