Article Posted: August 10, 2009
I finally managed to retouch all the shots from Jess’s shoot in amongst everything else I have going on at the moment. Great to be busy though!
Click on the pic above to take you through to see more from this set. We set out to shoot a little series called ‘anti-bride’ and I snuck a couple of other shots in there off-brief just cos we had time and Jess, Alison, Simon, Andras and I were having too much fun! I think Jess looks amazing in this shot. Testament to Alison’s awesome makeup of course.
Let’s do it all again soon!
MUA: Alison Cameron
Model: Jessica Piani
Assistant: Simon Pollock
Assistant: Andras Bartok
Article Posted: August 4, 2009
This is the first of a series we shot a few weeks ago at Home Studios in Brixton. Alison the make-up artist has been doing a lot of bridal and I guess this concept came from the frustration of everything being very ‘pretty’ in bridal. We wanted to push it a little further and get a bit badass. I hadn’t worked with Jessica (model) before or Alison, but we hit it off immediately and we had a really fun day. I was ably assisted by the hugely talented and awesome duo of Simon & Andras.
Despite having fun in the studio, I think the most memorable moment came at lunch. The boys and I went and cooked up a storm in the kitchen (take note ladies) whilst Jess was made up for her next look. To accompany the chicken and basil pasta bake, we whipped up a little salad which had all sorts of yummy things inside, most notabley slices of fresh mango. You would have thought Alison (being of Carribean descent) wouldn’t have even bat an eyelid at the notion. However, as we sat down and served up the cry wailed out… “Mango?? In a Salad?!?!” Needless to say, it was enjoyed by all… including Alison!
Anyway, there is more to come from Jess and this shoot. This is just a little appetiser.
MUA: Alison Cameron
Model: Jessica Piani
Assistant: Simon Pollock
Assistant: Andras Bartok
Article Posted: August 1, 2009
Very exciting new piece of kit now takes pride of place in my kit bag. A Hasselblad 503cx with a 80MM CF F/2.8 PLANAR T* lens with lens hood, A12 back and a PM5 prism viewfinder. I’ve had it for 3 days now after it made the trek all the way from Arizona and I haven’t taken a single frame! I’ve just been very busy admiring it. I also bought a Polaroid back for it and am keen to see how it performs with the Fuji instant film.
I have been a huge fan of the photos that the Hasselblad 500 series has produced in the hands of greats such as Avedon, Ritts and Bailey. I shall be aspiring to have a fraction of their talent and success. Not that a camera makes you successful of course, but perhaps I can channel into the spirits of the greats when I use it.
Article Posted: July 21, 2009
(click on pics for a bigger view)
I happen to be in (very) sunny Spain currently enjoying a family holiday due to my mum coming up to the Northern Hemisphere to spend some time with her offspring. Spent a couple of days in Seville and happened to be there when a bullfight was on at their big arena. Armed with my camera and a 100-400mm lens, I entered the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza not completely knowing what to expect. For those who haven’t had the pleasure (??) it’s an incredibly brutal and one sided affair. The bulls really have no chance whatsoever. Certainly not for the faint hearted.
However, on this occasion one of the bulls managed to get his own back briefly. Quite a talented young matador was toying with him as they do, and with one slightly wrong move the bull managed to up and under him. The bulls horns lodged into the front of the matador much to the crowds amazement and disbelief. He was flung high in the air and finally came crashing to the ground unconscious. The bull was ready to inflict some more pain and stood over his limp lifeless body and tried desperately to drive another horn into his victim. Other matadors rushed into the ring and distracted the bull away from his prey as more came and picked up the injured man and rushed him out of the stadium to get some immediate attention.
This particular bull was very fast and very angry and after this event, the other matadors were clearly very cautious of him. Despite his small victory over his opponent, he sadly met the fate of all the bulls that had gone before him. Eventual death.
I’m not sure I would go to see another bullfight, but I am glad for seeing it at least once in my lifetime. A piece of old traditional Spanish history that I am not sure will last for too much longer.
Article Posted: July 14, 2009
Had a great beauty shoot recently with the fabulous Rosanne and make-up done by the super talented Julia. Julia came up with the idea of doing 4 or 5 different looks that had a significant difference between them all. I was ably assisted by the awesome Andras. He and I worked on the lighting till we were happy and then it was a case of trying to get the same head position and facial expression across the series. Probably the most time was spent in putting on and taking off the makeup between looks. Roseanne was a good sport considering what we did to her!
Anyway, click on the pic above to take you through to see more of the series.
