Meet Ms. B, 20 something from New York City. Our mutual friend set us up for a photo shoot. I approached her a few weeks ago on facebook and let her into my flickr galleries to know what i like to shoot. After introducing my style and what I am recently working to develop, I learned she's looking to build a portfolio and she doesn't mind non-studio setting photos.
Just like that, we arranged an occasion on a warm Nov sunday afternoon somewhere in lower manhattan. The sun was coming directly from the sky. As soon as we met, i introduced her to the small shadowy side streets and we ran for cover.
We stopped here and there and click a few shots. Admitting, unlike my other sessions, she's entirely unfamiliar, a total stranger, a 100% client, and my starting point. I took my lovely assistant along, well she is more like an art director and she has seen more opportunities than I am since you mostly find me in the woods doing macro photography on bugs and buds. She was using her yashica mat shooting 120 format film. Can't wait to see them, she is mastering the art of medium format although she tells me to keep it more humble. This red bricks wall I found on thompson street was my first favorite spot. The direct sun at noon was intense, I wanted to take her shots wide open F 1.8 which was impossible even at 1/2500 shutter and i took the EV off a few notch @ ISO200. Luckily right here, the brick wall was two toned being one side is painted in black and the dark absorbed some of the bright lights. Then there is the roof top which focuses a oval shaped spotlight and drapes right over her face and little bit down to her waist. There was enough shades to allow me to open my aperture to F2 @ 1/800 and raised EV to +1.7 to brighten the face. Later on photoshop, I introduced a little darker shadow, lowered the contrast but brightened the highlights.
She ordered a simple Japanes Shumai from one of my favorite eatery nearby called Hirokos which is a Japanese comfort food place. This is where you will find western style japanese home cooking, great desserts, and over all cozy environment to get to know your first date or a first client. From strangers to knowing a little more about each others. I had to control my tendency of being TMI (too much information). Now she's smiling naturally as if I'm a family member, we packed our bags and headed out.
I love manhattan, there are always something you can find and places you might have been through more than a few times still come up with new tastes. Here, a never seen before opened door which leads down to the basement happened to be open just for us. I asked to step down a little and framed her within the frame. I didn't use a polarize to cancel the reflection because this is exactly what I was conveying.
Here are a few more examples of our lovely Sunday afternoon. The weather was really cooperating as we, New Yorker shed our layers of subzero survival gear to be spoiled by a little summertime in late fall. Although we were touching nearly 70 but the streets were filled with fashion from all seasons. This is the season to get sick because we don't really know what is dressed for comfort.
I was recently reading a lighting technique book by michael greco. He taught celebrity photo shoot and in his photos we would have photo team, various lights, and often shot with large format. I remember one chapter he used a big tree for stage prop to create shadows on the face. Some by the book people would not recommend drawing up a beautiful face with shadows and line. We are new yorkers, we can be light or sometimes dark, I like to write proper or cap here and lower case there. The pre golden hour sun was hitting the black wall direct and sharp but thankfully filtered by the big tree. Each tree branch narrows the light and makes it more intense like gauze, I had to photoshop a little since some parts of her face were a little washed out. This is done F 3.5 1/800 ISO 400 EV +2 stops.
I've never been a fan of reading novels. Text books are my favorite. Lately I've been digging through many books when I visit barnes and nobles. I envy those who writes and quotes famous passages from people or relating events or subject to another famed style of someone famous worthy of inspiration. One day you will see my blogging filled with comparison like this one is inspired by who and who, so and so.
This corner shot done F 14 1/500 EV 1.6+ stop. There was a biker resting at the corner pushing his weights against the edge. I walked up and courteously asked him to give up the spot for me and the lovely Ms. B. The sun was blinding so I chose a higher F stop for the occasional sun ray and for sharpness. To brighten her face and soften the edges I used a gold reflector directing 45 degrees lights thanks to my assistant.
F 4.5 1/2500 Ev 0.
I used a reflector to lighten up her face while shooting against the sun. I asked her to raise her knees just enough for a ray off beams to be reflected from the nearby harbor. She has beautiful curves, I played the shadows around her thighs to make it more tantalizing.
This was near Riverside Park near westside highway. This is by the Kayak depot, not many people strays around so it's a great spot to do some tweakings with comforting privacy.
The metal gate played well in this part. I pretty much wrapped up my session here. I asked her to extend out her hands but don't press against the wall so the light could cast shadows around her fingers. I carefully positioned myself so the bars and shadows won't be too messy. I regret I didn't leave much space above her head for some breathing rooms.
Another play of bars and shadows. This time against the sun and I was using TTL flash, EV 2.7+ stop.
I asked her grip the fence behind her and pull them as if she was ejecting from the cockpit of a jet fighter.
This one, done @ F 1.8 1/2000 ISO 400 EV 2.7+ stop.
I was inside a warehouse facing her through a slightly mud smudged framed glass window. She was kneeling on the bench. We did a few shots before I asked her to remove her glasses but teasingly hold them in her lips. She knew just what to do and I bet many guys fell on their knees for this traffic stopping pose. I wanted her to bite the glasses frame to radiate the feeling of some high school 17 year old crush which may still resides in each one of us. I wanted the glasses to resemble a pencil. She posed just the way I like it. The dirty window was remarkable however I made huge mistake in this series. I focused so much in composing a shot filled with teasing sexual energy and innocence but failed to work on her posture. I should have directed her arch her back, raise her hips but instead she was pushing out her tummy too much. She's very well figured and highly maintained. But even with people like A-ROD with almost 0% body fat can seem overwhelmed a little near the tummy region if posture is not enforced. I regret I didn't pay attention however this was a great discovery and I'd definitely learned a lesson.
On the reverse, I'm shooting her from behind as she poses against the same dirty window now she arches her back and show off her great buttocks. Although in my eyes her backside is perfect but to any girls there are the bad side of everything. If I included her thighs leading down to her high heels, we, guys would be cheering. But she might find the reason to feel less than perfect. So rather shooting for playboy I reserved the attitude but raised a heat a little by framing just before the thighs. This creates the same feeling of mini skirt which imagination could heats up the matter much more than just bare skin. This was done @ F 2.5 1/800 Ev 2.7+ stop. I used a polarizer to warm up the colors as well as ridding the unnecessary glares to focus an otherwise washed out sun to make it more sphere like in the reflection.
I love this gate matter of fact I call this the gateway. This behind the slammer feel and her darker serious look made realize how talented she is. She's a great actor. She's able to manipulate her looks and the feel which makes my shooting real easy. But during our session I was not the just the man holding the big camera but before any pose I would try them myself and she just giggles because I looked so stupid. This was her favorite shot and was my favorite setting.
On the way to welcome the setting sun. The perfect moment of the golden hour has arrived. With a little help of the reflector and adequate DOF I played a safe composition accompanied by back lights, warm color, skyline, and vanishing point. Notice the rainbow flare or paranormal term ORB. This is unavoidable using DSLR unless I have titanium filter. But having them are fun and can be easily removed by Photoshop.
We ended the session with a series of shots I took of her standing on an intersection Island where fast move cars were zipping around us. Here I captured her with F11 1/15 to create the classic speed blur and sharp attitude.
In conclusion, my very first one on one photo session went very well. I think I planned well to initiate the session. The books I read and the experiences I heard all played their parts well. Best of all, I didn't just go with my shots head strong and confidence filled. Instead I was psychologically aware of my client and I made sure the comfort of what she had in mind played through with my techniques. She was very flexible which allowed me the edge to let go and play with my originality. I learned some lessons and hope the viewers of my blog, facebook, and flickr could continue to give me constructive helpful critiques.
Saturday was one of those breezy and cold late autumn day with wind chills that previews an upcoming harsh winter. The wind was howling and people on the street can be seen in subzero outfits and gears. This mother was particular catchy with a bright red bubble jacket that's short just above her hips. She had a pair of tight jeans on and her sexy behind was just as catchy as her red jacket. The kid was sitting inside an extra large stroller that's coated with a shiny red blanket. My D200 rested on my thighs and I quietly but swiftly moved my lens across the cabinet and pointed at the hustling mother who was just about to exit. She was catching quiet an attention and I busily took shots.
