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!