Brandon

I'm a total junkie.

I just can't survive for very long without a photoshoot. I finished December's retouching what...last week? And already I found myself jonesing for a new shoot.

We were all set up to shoot today, bust out some black latex goo, paste on some feathers, etc, etc...but the MUA had a crisis of some sort...which happens. The two of us remaining decided to carry on with the shoot and see what we could pull out of the proverbial hat.  The shoot went well, and I think there will be some really great stuff to come out of it.  I have nothing but positive things to say...the entire process of working with Brandon was one of the most professional experiences I've had...excellent communication, resources, spirit of adventure, took direction well, totally on top of it, genuinely good kid...so kudos to him.

Here's a quick edit from the set...I used it sort of as a test just to see what everything looked like coming out of Lightroom, and how it would retouch. It also just happened to be one of the better shots from that set. Courtesy of really good skin, and my not fucking things up, I don't even need to do much more retouching, if any, unless I decide to make an enormous print. (I'm also amused that it's image number 2345...or...if we're counting from the beginning without 4-digit rollover after 9999...it's image 12345 on the camera. Yes, I'm nerdy like that.)

Here's the result:

Dilenia

This is the final set of images from December.

It has been tremendous experience shooting like I did in December, but I think until I have a team of people to help me do what I do, I'm going to try to limit my output to a few shoots a month, as opposed to 6 models doing 2 sets apiece, a catalog, and boxing.

Anywho...this is Dilenia, who like Ashley in the previous post, could do no wrong. She really found the light beautifully, and every pose and move seemed to work.

First set is makeup/beauty, crazy eyelashes, and a stencil done on the face down to the shoulder. Second set is a little bit noir, but a much softer and brighter noir, really, the only thing noir-ish is the somewhat contrasty masculine lighting, the hat, and the trench. So, it's a nice twist on the classic loo

Ashley 2 Ways

Not to knock any of the models I've worked with lately, but Ashley, and the next model coming up, Dilenia, were absolutely extraordinary to work with. Every angle was amazing, they knew exactly how to hit the light, had a real knowledge of how to move and pose, took direction easily, and even though I took fewer photos than usual because almost every shot was good, and you just don't need to shoot a lot when that happens...editing their sets was pretty tough (editing, as in choosing the selects/keepers). It's always nice to work with people when everything lines up without much effort. Not that I mind effort, otherwise I wouldn't do this, but you know what I mean.

This set is in two parts. First part, crazy feather set. Part the second, more everyday, catalog, portrait, GAP ad type stuff. One black and white, done with Silver Efex Pro, which I adore, and one shot, props courtesy of a very necessary lunch run to McDonald's.

Without further ado:

The Neverending Cavalcade of Retouching Photos, Pt 2

This is model Majesta. Concept for this shoot was a demon doll, voodoo doll, primal, mouth staked shut, insane and escaping through the forest, terrified and terrorized, but kinda liking it. Second look, obviously just a nice little portrait.

The Neverending Cavalcade of Retouching Photos, Pt 1

This is actually more from the shoot with Kai, who graces the blog a few posts ago.

Life As I Know It Resumes - Retouching Continues

Next set of retouched images. This is Jaclyn. For a larger view, click the image, for an even larger and considerably better view than that, click this link...please click the link, blogger resizes to max 1600px and it fucks images up: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/violadeity/JacklynCollage.jpg

Just Photos Today - Retouching Consumes My Life

At long last, I finished retouching the photoshoots with Kai and Nateasha...only 4 more models to go from december.

I just happened to throw this collage together today, so, here it is, for your consumption.

I am a Lying Liar, and I Lied (to parody Al Franken)

So...I definitely underestimated my winter break plans. I've been running around like a crazy person, and I'm tired and burnt out. I may or may not update this properly. 

But in the meantime, more placation. From a photoshoot for Makeup Artist Sy Clark - who is amazing in every way - this is model Nateasha.  These two images were her picks from the shoot, all retouched and prettified.  Concept was sort of in the direction of Bret Michaels circa the last time he was relevant...with a bit of pirate.

Merry Christmas - Overwhelmed

I am completely overwhelmed at the moment.

Winter break has been anything but, so far. This week involved 7 photoshoots scheduled in 3 days...thank the lord 2 of them were a bust.  I don't know if that's what "real" photographers do, but I'm a) pretty sure it's not, and b) i'm pretty sure that if it is they have teams of people to deal with it.  December has been my heaviest month of photography, probably ever, if not its a close second to my final month of my photo degree program. I have an entire column of folders on my desktop full of images to sort through, correct, and god forbid retouch. A rough count tells me I've shot about 2500 frames this month...which is essentially my normal amount for about 40% of a given year.  This is good and bad...it means I'm finally taking this more seriously. It also means I have to figure out how to balance taking this more seriously with being a productive member of society without losing my sanity. I'd just gotten used to working full time and waking up at 5am every day too.  I've decided I'm taking a break from non-paying work until toward the end of January.  Between work, my current load of images to worry about, and performances of a crazy piece of music with a friend's string quartet, it's just a bit much.  Not to mention wanting to get back on the diet band wagon in January. But enough personal bullshit.

No photos to share this post, just venting.

There should be a ton of photos forthcoming though, given I still have to update about my last 2 shoots, have done 6 beauty shoots, and a catalog/advertising/product line shoot.

I promise, over winter break, I'll update this thing for real

After the last photoshoot, I went with a photographer friend of mine to shoot boxing at the Silver Nugget, just for shits and giggles. I didn't get anything spectacular, I don't think, but there were a handful of decent shots.  It's WAAAAAY harder than I would have thought. Of course, we were shooting ringside, and not from a platform with a long lens, so perhaps it was the proximity. It moves so fast, and getting the timing takes some work. It sucks when you see the impact in the viewfinder, and know 100% that you therefore do not have the shot. Ah well, it was a learning experience, and it was fun. Next time I'm hoping to do a little better, and really nail a few shots.

Here's my first two edited images from the set: