Illusive Photography 2011 - Year in Review

Art, Mom and me

It's hard to believe that 2011 has ended, which marks my third year back to Photography.  At the close of 2010 I had some family issues that pushed me to the point of hanging up my camera and focusing on the more important things in life.  Waxing nostalgic, I found some old pictures my Dad took of my brother, Mom and me back in the Philippines.  It's interesting how a single picture can bring back a flood of memories that would normally lay dormant in our everyday lives.

As with previous "Year In Review" posts, I'll pick at least one image per month and either explain the lighting or why it means something to me.

January: I received a call from Yesterday Sportswear, a silk-screening company based in Paso Robles.  The owner had seen my work on Model Mayhem and wanted me to shoot some samples for his catalog.  As luck would have it, a model I shot in 2010 had a friend who was interested in Fitness Modeling.  Two birds with One Stone.  Simple High-key lighting and Ashley wearing a Purple Hoodie from Yesterday Sportswear.  I used the Paul C. Buff 22" Beauty Dish and two strobes with barn doors to blowout the White Seamless Paper.  Thanks to Micah for doing Hair and Make-up.
Purple Poly Hoodie

February: A very slow month, nothing was inspiring and I just couldn't get into photography.  So I decided to do some Landscape stuff and use my PEN camera more often.  In fact I heard a photographer quoted "The best camera is the one you have with you."  So I began carrying my PEN camera in my car.  This was shot with my PEN Camera as I was driving down Coffee Road, just north of Snow Road.  It almost looks like an IR image.

Orchard

March: I've been toying with all the cliche ideas that seem to make their rounds when photographers hit a rut.  Seven Deadly Sins, Grimm's Fairy Tales, Lewis Carroll, etc...  I purchased a red cloak for a Red Riding Hood shot, but hadn't selected a model.  At first I was thinking of Sarah Lynn, but then decided to go with my favorite tatted pin-up, Jenna.  She has that sweet and innocent girl-next-door look, but with tattoos.    This images was shot with a Cowboy Studio Silver Beauty Dish for Key and a SABER STRIP for accent, or maybe it was the sun.  We drove up to Porterville and found a spot along the river to shoot.  This is definitely one of my top five favorite images of 2011.

Gathering

April: After our Little Red shoot, Jenna asked if I would be willing to do a Elizabeth Taylor Tribute shoot. No hesitation, I agreed.  This would require Hollywood style lighting which with today's gear, requires snoots, grids, and minimal diffusion.  Hollywood lighting requires the model to be really still while you sculpt with the light.  Movements in any direction creates hard shadows in areas that are less than desirable.

Tribute

May: One of my favorite models, Sarah Lynn called and said she was in town for the weekend and asked if we could shoot.  I really love her tattoos and her new "do."  This was all Available Light, spot metered, and using my 85mm f/1.4G lens.  Love this in Black and White.

Torn

June:  After still suffering from a creative block, I signed up for Zack Arias' One-Light Workshop in Los Angeles.  Although I really didn't learn anything new, I did meet another photographer, Tim Chong, who drove in from Bakersfield, too.  If you have some time, please check out his work.  It's well composed and exquisitely lit.


June also reunited me with Aussie model, Darnah.  Gosh, I really enjoy working with her, even if she is losing her accent.  We decided to shoot around the Santa Monica Area , 3rd Street Promenade, and then walked down to the Santa Monica Pier.  Simple One-Light shot, SB-900 in a 43" Brolly and one lens (85mm)  All triggered with Nikon CLS, but in Manual Mode.   Darnah's eyes are just hypnotic.

Tilt

July: I have to post a picture that I didn't take, but it was one of the most memorable vacations in a long time.  We headed to Hawaii in mid-July for some relaxation and fun in the sun.  This image was taken at the Luau and is a treat to have me, Drew and my girlfriend enjoying ourselves.  

Luau Time

Once we returned from Hawaii, I had a C.O.M.P. shoot to attend in Clovis for a Make-up Artist.  The female models were being snapped up by the photographers, so I asked the male models if they would be interested in shooting with me.  This image is of Hair Stylist Joe.  SB-900 in a Beauty Dish, two SB-600s pointed directly at the camera, bare flash and one SB-600 on the ground pointing at the rims.

Joey Ferrari

August: More One-Light practice shoots.  Brian, Rob and I happened to pick a summer night with clouds and several models joined us for a quick shoot.  Lighting was done with a SB-900, 43" Brolly, and triggered via Pocket Wizards.  The model is fellow photographer Keisha who was interested in learning about using one light.  This shot was actually an outtake, but Keisha's laughter makes me smile every time I view this image.

Laughter - Explored!!!

September: Brian had an idea for a Photo Contest, or as he referred to it as a Photo Throwdown.  This was the winning image.  Purely "Available Light" and then converted to Black and White and Grain added.  It's always a pleasure to work with Model Natalie because she has an eye for detail and style.  This was a collaborative effort and without Natalie, I wouldn't have pulled it off.

Starlet

October:  This month deserves two images because I met a local model who really makes photography easy.  She knows how to pose, knows which angles work best,  has a great sense of humor and also a hint of perfectionism.  Lara and I shot twice in a two week period and we created some memorable images. This image was available light and a reflector where I used Aperture-Priority Mode.

Paradise

This image was from our second shoot which was all studio work.  I used my 43" Brolly as the key and a strip box for accent.


November: November was a busy month at work, but I managed to squeeze in three sessions, however; this was my favorite session all year.  Can you guess why?  Key was an Alien Bee 1600 bounced into an 86" PLM.

Drew's tC


December: Also a busy work month with a lot of commitments and charity work.  I did get to cross off one item on my Bucket List and that was to own a Vespa Scooter.  I also got to do one more shoot with Jenna. I couldn't think of a more perfect model to showcase my Vintage scooter than Jenna.  She is so good with styling and she has started to do her own Hair and Make-up.    This pose was all Jenna's idea and my have from the shoot.

Snagged

As I was wrapping up the year and looking forward to 2012, I received a message from Taylor.  She wanted to shoot and so on New Year's Eve, Brian, Taylor and I knocked out some decent pictures.  I've been dying to emulate some Herb Ritts lighting and Taylor has the perfect face for it.  As an aside, Taylor submitted the pictures Brian and I took to a Couture Magazine.  She posted that she will be in their next issue.  Way to go Taylor!!!!

Rittsesque

As with every Year in Review, I look to see if I have grown and then set new goals for the upcoming year.  The one main goal I have for 2012 is to really set-up a shoot and not be so spontaneous.  This means preparation, securing Hair Stylists, Models, Make-up Artists, location, wardrobe and even some design work.

Thanks for the constant support and I hope your 2012 brings you all that you need.

Comments

  1. Impressive annual review that I can only imagine took lots of time putting together. Beautiful models and beautiful shooting Alan. You are my inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  2. wonderful write up man. We certainly did a lot last year and I'm looking forward to seeing more from you. We also need to have more boyz klub shoots LOL!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks Linda and Rob, quit being so darn busy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Alan, can I say that I suck as a blogger because I never update my own blog? ;) Your blog is awesome.

    Meeting you and the other fellow photographers at the OneLight Workshop was one of my highlights of 2011. From that point on, my photography exploded and shifted to the right direction. We should meet again and shoot soon!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment