Illusive Photography 2009 - Year in Review

Since I have no vices, aside from Photography, and don't believe in partying on New Years Eve anymore I figured I'd post some of my Favorite images from each month in 2009.  As a blog follower, hopefully you'll notice my progression, especially with Strobist stuff starting in April 2009.

January: Marina, my co-worker, which was shot while putting together a company Calendar.  Shot with two monolights with umbrellas, simple low-key image.  Nikon D60.

 

February: My First Model Mayhem Shoot.  What a stressful event for a newbie like me.  I left my camera in Auto for everything and had my flash on the entire time.  I did bounce it, or use the Diffuser, but the results were way sub-par.  This shot was on-camera flash bounced off a brownish ceiling, which is why it is Black and White.  Nikon D60 and SB-900.

 

March: During the Model Mayhem Group shoot, I met Model Anahy.  She asked if I would be willing to collaborate on a "Dark Trilogy" project, which included a Geisha, Ragdoll, and Princess.  We were able to get Ramona Potts, Hollywood Make-Up Artist to do Anahy's Hair and Make-up.  I still think this was my favorite project. Shot with two RPS Lighting Studio strobes, key with grid and fill with blue gel.  Nikon D60.

April: Saw the completion of our Dark Trilogy Project. This was shot with my brand new Nikon D700 and a new Manfrotto Boom, however; Anahy's boyfriend John had to hold the boom since my existing light stand weren't heavy duty enough to support it.  Simple lighting, one gridded monolight on boom, suspended over Anahy and two monolights shot thru umbrellas for light fill.

May:  Allowed me to collaborate with Brian Redden (a.k.a. strvngartst01 on FLICKR) for a third time.  I met Brian at the Model Mayhem model shoot on Feb. 15.  Brian has an outgoing personality, which means he and I became instant friends.  We worked together on a Harley Shoot March 29, and he really helped understand my D700.  Anyway, this was my first true Strobist attempt.  It was shot in the STARS Theater around 7:00 PM.  The fake window light was created with an SB-800 and Brian's homemade reflector with a CTO Gel.  Fill was provided by an SB-600 with a 1/4 CTO gel and shot-thru an umbrella all triggered by Nikon CLS/  I also got to work with Canadian-born model Sammy.

June: My Co-worker Marina (see the January image) was about seven months pregnant and wanted to do a different kind of Maternity shoot without the typical caressing of the belly against a window. Shot in my studio with simple Clamshell lighting.  It was a definitely a fun and different shoot.

  

July: Brian asked me to set aside July 18 for the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk in Paso Robles.  He also mentioned that we should hit up some models on Model Mayhem.  I sent out a couple quick e-mails and received a reply form Torey.  6'2" Torey Nicole agreed to shoot with me in the 107 degree heat.  This shot was done in an alley with my SB-900 in Auto FP and snooted and a bare SB-600 as a hairlight.  Syl Arena gave me the tip about the snoot and Brian reminded me of AutoFP.

 

August: Was a good month with regard to working with familiar models, Sammy and Torey.  Sammy wanted to do a pool shoot, so this was done with mixed lighting, Natural and Artificial.  Shot with a single mini-softbox SB-900 with a 1/4 CTO gel and a reflector for outdoor clamshell lighting by my pool.

 

Torey was all Natural light with the white bed sheets acting as a reflector. Torey's was a pretty quick shoot, I believe she had three wardrobe changes in an hour.

September: Still Summertime so I could shoot until 7:30 PM.  This has to be my all-time favorite shot with Model Mayhem Model Tonya.  In fact this shot was used for a California RV Ad.  Simple shot.  Hand-held (by my son C.J.) SB-900 in Mini-softbox and 1/4 CTO Gel.  Dragged the shutter to allow for the ambient train staiton light.  This shot was done in less than two minutes and right before the train pulled out of the station.

October: Was a very busy month for me shooting. One shoot every weekend, including a session when I traveled back to Bellefonte, PA for a wedding.  This is a tough call, because there were so many that I liked, so I'll post two images, one that made Flickr's EXPLORE.  All Natural lighting, no reflectors or speedlights.  It was shot at the AMTRAK Station and all the natural window light created some soft wrap-around lighting.

 

 This next image was from my second Model Mayhem Group shoot held in Kerman, CA (10 miles West of Fresno) A great bunch of talent from the Central Valley with no egos to deal with since I'm not a threat to their profession.  Had a great session with Danielle, who saw my "White Sheets" series and wanted some for her port. All Natural lighting and reflectors, no flash at all.

November was another busy month including a visit from Teresa's childhood friend and her two daughters.  This shot was done with the assistance of my Kern Photography Association friend and fellow FLICKR mate, Teresa, who acted as my Key Grip since C.J. was working.  I've been wanting to do an abandoned motel shot and found the right girl.  Softboxed SB-900 with 1/4 CTO Gel Camera right and SB-600 camera left with green gel shot up at sign.

December: Started off slow with me getting the seasonal cold and I didn't feel like shooting until Dec. 15 with Tonya, and then two shoots on the 20th and 27th.  Again, another tough call because I shot with two pin-up models, Jenna and Missy.  Since space isn't an issue I'll post two.  Both were done with my monolights.  Jenna's was done with two monolights, one outside the window and one 45 degrees camera left, and the wall was used as a reflector.

This one of Missy was two lights one monolight in a 28" x 20" softbox in clamshell position and the second as an accent light diffused and gridded.

What did I learn? A ton of stuff, but mostly you need to get out there and shoot, get critiques, and quit doing the safe stuff.  I've reviewed other photographers' images over the year and some play it safe. All their images look the same, their lighting is always identical and they try to disguise their work by using photo-editing software to make it unique.Snooze!!! How many filters are you going to apply? Then there are others who keep me addicted to their work.  I had to end with a slight rant, what did you expect? lol.

Thanks for reading and wishing everyone a Happy and Safe New Year!!! and...

...That's A Wrap for 2009!!!