Theda
November 30th, 2006
Another way of looking at color. This is Theda in a nice upscale hotel room in New York City about three years ago. This was my first shoot, first meeting, with Theda and she really impressed me. She is a very talented model and is great to work with. I’ve since been back to NYC to work with her and hope to do more in the future. I keep trying to talk her into an outdoor shoot…who knows, maybe she’ll give in and go become one with nature for me one of these days. So far the closest I’ve come is the shot of her on a fire escape outside a Manhattan photo studio. I posted that shot on here last month.
The light for this shot is from the bedside lamp in the hotel room. I was using auto color balance on my D100 and Nikon always seems to go pretty warm in this kind of light. I’ve corrected the color in photoshop, but didn’t like the result. The color here seems to be more “correct” in how it feels…maybe even how it looked at the time. So that’s the way I’ve left it, because it feels right. I thought of this photo after yesterday’s post with the bright red light from the Wave at sunset. I decided quite a few years ago, after decades working in black and white, that I was really interested in color. So I’ve been shooting color for a long time now. And, as in these two and many other photos, what is happening with the color is very important to me, and to the photos.
Light and The Wave
November 29th, 2006
The Wave is a special place. In the red rock desert on the Utah-Arizona border, it’s hard to find if you don’t know exactly where you are going. It’s so popular that the Bureau of Land Management requires that specific reservations be made months before a visit. Visitors are limited to 12 each day. And yet, it’s become something of a cliché because so many photographers have been there and photographed it. I made my trip about 5 months after my trip to Maine. By this time I was fully committed to exploring the figure in nature. I was fortunate to find a fantastic model, perfectly suited to the difficulties of this shoot, not to mention beautiful and very physically able to take on any challenges that a shot might pose.
We hiked in before sunrise and stayed all day, hiking out at dusk. The dark contributed to our getting lost. Well, we weren’t really lost. As Daniel Boone said when someone asked him if he had ever been lost in the wilderness, “No, I’ve never been lost. I was bewildered once for three days.” Actually, we always knew where we needed to go. It was just that there is no real trail across the rock surface and we would head in a direction, come to a cliff or other obstacle and have to change course. But we found our way and spent the day shooting. It was a very productive shoot.
This is the last photo I took before we left at the end of the day. It’s my favorite. The reason is the light and the wind. The wind was a constant while we were there. And it is wind full of sand. I had to send one camera in for a cleaning by Nikon after it was exposed to that sand for the day. But it’s really the light that makes this shot so special. As the sun approaches the horizon it enters the narrow openings in the rock from the side and it reflects off the red rock. As the light bounces around in the rocks only red is reflected. So the light gets redder and redder every time it bounces. It almost seems to be on fire. That’s what’s going on here. This isn’t photoshop. (For the record, I very seldom do any manipulation with photoshop. I do the things that would be done in a conventional wet darkroom, but not much more. I don’t add backgrounds or place models into scenes…I don’t have anything against that kind of photography, but it isn’t what I do.) I’ve recently read some debate about the statement, “Photography is about light.” I have to acknowledge that the subject matter is important. But often it’s the interaction of the subject matter with the light that makes a successful photo. That’s what I see happening here. That’s often what I’m looking for in my work with the nude in nature.
Maine
November 27th, 2006
I’ve become known for my photos of nude models outdoors. This is one of the photos that originally started creating that reputation. I’ve been a photographer, and I’ve photographed nudes, for far longer than I like to think about…much longer than many of my current models have been alive. But it was this shoot in Maine when everything from all those years finally came together and at long last my personal style was defined.
I’d wanted to photograph on the coast of Maine for as long as I can remember. It just never seemed to happen. I’d made trips there, but without a model or plans to find one. On this trip it was different. I contacted Hope Hoffman and she agreed to work with me and bring along another model, Rachel. And Hope knew of a private spot were we would be able to work.
I had in mind working with sunlight on the rocks. That was not to be. The day was completely socked in with fog. What seems to be a great distance in this photo is actually only about 20-30 feet. That’s as far as we could see in the fog. Of course, the light was perfect for what I wanted to do…not what I had originally intended, but what, in fact, I was after in the photos. It was rough work for the models. The temperature was 62 degrees and, of course, it was very damp in that fog. Added to that, the black flies were biting. Hope really suffered from the cold and she took frequent breaks to warm up wrapped in a sleeping bag that I brought along for that purpose. Rachel is a Maine native and seemed to feel like it was a warm summer day to her. The backbend was Rachel’s idea. Hope then decided to give it a try too. I love the look of this photo. I almost expect a unicorn to come trotting into the frame.
For me, the real joy of this shoot was the experience of working with nature. You can never predict what weather, sun, plants, insects…nature…will present when you go out for a shoot. The fun is to take what nature gives you and work with it to make the photos that are there to be made. That’s what I love about working outdoors. It’s a Zen thing to me. I think of it like surfing. You can’t succeed if you fight the waves. But if you understand the waves and connect with the power of them, you can have a blast and go somewhere.
California
November 25th, 2006
Model Xochitl posing at Vasquez Rocks outside Los Angeles. This was shot last March. It was a cold and windy day. Totally unlike normal LA weather. In fact, shortly before we did this photo, Xochitl had posed in snow that was falling in another area near LA. We had to change our plans for the day and ended up here because the snow was making roads impassible. Xochitl did a great job. She’s a very fine, talented model. And a lot of fun to work with. She has a portfolio on Model Mayhem: http://www.modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=51982
Speed Holga
November 24th, 2006
I know some photo-
graphers who work with Holga cameras. Some of them do truly wonderful photos with that tool. I worked with Diana F cameras many, many years ago and never really enjoyed the limitations and inability to predict results with that camera. But I do appreciate the fun that can be had with a simple camera.
But, Holga photography is not a religion, despite what some who practice it may tell you. And the Holga camera is not a religious icon. It’s just a cheap plastic camera that takes crappy photos, at least from a technical standpoint.
I was talking with one of the more zealous of Holga photographers…also one of the best photographers I’ve ever seen using that camera…and she got a bit upset with me for pointing out that any crappy camera setup could produce “Holga” photos. There have always been crappy cameras. I have an old single-element soft focus lens in a Nikon mount that I sometimes use on my digital Nikons. When I referred to that arrangement as my digital Holga, that seemed to infuriate this particular Holga photographer. In the course of the discussion I said that I could take any cheap lens and make Holga photos. I said I could hang a cheap magnifying glass on the front of my Speed Graphic and do Holga photos. That was met with total disbelief.
So, I did it. I went to Walgreens and bought a magnifying glass for $3. I duct taped it to an empty lensboard and put it on the front of my 4×5 Speed Graphic. This is one of the photos I shot with it, my “Speed Holga.” I used Polaroid film and window light in my studio. I like the result. I think it does have that “Holga” look…although I did refuse to poke holes in the Speed Graphic’s bellows to get the characteristic Holga light streaks.
The model is Nemesis who was featured here in the moon photos last month. Nemi is always willing to make herself available to model for my weird ideas. I really appreciate that. Thanks, Nemi.
Shelly wades
November 23rd, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving. It’s a beautiful day.
Here is Shelly wading in a lake in North Carolina on a chilly day. The water was still warm, though, so she said it wasn’t really a problem. Another use of “challenging light.” Direct sunlight, but this was later in the day when there was some direction to the light which allowed me to pose Shelly to take advantage of sunlight to show off her lovely body in this great setting.
It’s been a good quiet Thanksgiving at our house. Had our dinner at a restaurant, which was excellent. Just got back from seeing the movie “Bobbie” which brought back a bunch of memories. 1968 was quite a year. I “came clean for Gene” McCarthy…but by the time Bobbie was assassinated in June it had become clear that he was on his way to winning the Democratic nomination and most likely the presidency. Which leads to the first question: How would our world be different if Robert Kennedy had become president in 1969 instead of Nixon? It’s almost impossible to imagine at this point. We lost a lot that year.
And the second question: Where are the leaders like Bobbie today? There’s no one on the political scene who I can even imagine holding Bobbie’s coat, let alone carrying his vision forward. We need leadership. We need someone with a vision that goes beyond just getting elected. It sure would be nice to be able to get excited about a leader again. And the country would be so much better off if we had real leaders.
Ok…enough of that…go see the movie. It’s excellent. If you are much younger than me, you may not know the Bobbie Kennedy story. It’s one worth knowing. The movie isn’t really about Bobbie, but rather about the times and the people whose lives he touched and who were touched by his assassination. The actors are excellent. The script is very well written. It’s a good one.
Shelly in the woods
November 22nd, 2006
Here’s Shelly again in the North Carolina woods. She did a great job looking beautiful and comfortable when it was fairly cold while we were shooting. It was a sunny day which creates some limitations and some opportunities for photography.
Many photographers talk about the “golden hour,” that time a lovely light near the end of the day. Many say that you can’t really take photos in the middle of the day. While it certainly is easier to shoot when the sun is at an angle, I disagree about shooting at other times. To me, there is no “good” or “bad” light. Light may be easy or challenging. But there are always ways to use the light that is available. I’ve found the somewhat limited dynamic range of digital cameras to be an advantage in difficult light. All you need is a bit of a vision for what you are trying to achieve in the image…previsualization, if you will…and an understanding of how your camera renders tones…a bit of knowledge about the zone system…and the ability to read the histogram that digital cameras provide. I enjoy exposing to hold detail in the highlights while allowing the shadows to go dark. There is detail in those shadows if you want to pull it up, but I find the altered representation of the sunny scene…transformed into a dark and mysterious world…is much more interesting than an accurate representation of what the eye sees.
The trip was a good one. I traveled 5,335 miles in 17 days, driving a total of 86 and ½ hours. Thanks to Deb, Morgan, Alden and Linda, and Mike and Mel for giving me places to stay. And thanks to Cathleen, Amy Jo, Rose, Echoed Light, and Shelly for modeling and helping me make some fine images. I’ll be on the road again before long. Think I’m going to have to find a way to get to a warmer place for a while this winter.
I’m having all sorts of internet issues since arriving home. Something has happened to my web site and all the pages of photos seem to be gone. Don’t know if it was hacked and attacked, or if there is just some problem with the web host. Haven’t gotten any response from my webmaster yet. And, as noted before, AT&T/YAHOO screwed up my internet access and took way too long to fix it yesterday. But at least that’s working again.
Pano Redeux
November 21st, 2006
I’m uploading this panorama again because it seems the one below won’t open to a larger image. This really needs to be viewed larger to see it well. I hope this one will work right.
I haven’t been able to post since I got home because of a screw up by my ISP. For the record, AT&T/YAHOO high speed internet customer service leaves more than a little to be desired. But they finally got things working again a few minutes ago, so this will have to do for today’s post. More from Shelly in North Carolina tomorrow.
On the road again
November 20th, 2006
Shelly called to say she has a sore throat and doesn’t feel like shooting again today. I’m sure it has nothing to do with her wading around in a lake nude yesterday… So, since I don’t have a shoot today, I’m going to make the drive back home and end this trip one day earlier than planned. It will be good to see my wife again and I’ll have an extra day to get ready for Thanksgiving.
Here’s Shelly out in the woods yesterday, looking beautiful and showing no signs that it was chilly and that she was getting a sore throat.
And here is another panorama from yesterday. Shelly wading in a beautiful lake that was up to a higher than normal water level and flooding the surrounding woods. Shot with my Canon G6 and stitched together with the Canon software that came with the camera.
Thanks for reading. There will be many more posts coming with photos from this trip and other things I’m working on…hope you come back.
Kudzu
November 19th, 2006
If you have not lived or at least visited the south, you may not know about kudzu. Everyone should know about it. Introduced in the 1930s as a great way to control erosion, it has taken over the south and in some ways defines the boundaries of the old south even more clearly than the Mason/Dixon Line.
Kudzu will take over any area where it isn’t controlled. It will kill everything else growing in the area, including wonderful old trees. In the summer and throughout the year in areas where it doesn’t freeze it can completely cover large areas creating an eerie scene as it covers everything. In summer it is nearly impenetrable. If left uncontrolled it will tear down a house. When there is a frost it turns brown and some of what is underneath is revealed.
It’s winter in North Carolina. This is Shelly from today’s shoot in her kudzu-covered side yard. You never know what is going to be uncovered when the kudzu turns brown.
Shelly did a great job of modeling today. It was cold. She didn’t seem to care. She even waded into a lake for several shots. Thanks, Shelly.
The model I had planned to shoot tomorrow has had to cancel, so I’m going to shoot Shelly again. It is supposed to be colder and raining tomorrow, so it will be more of a challenge and should yield some different-looking photos. Stand by for samples.
Tomorrow is the next to last day of my trip. On Tuesday I’ll drive home for Thanksgiving with my family. I expect blog posts will continue…there is a lot more from the trip to post.
