Enviornment

I have been taking fashion photos inworld for almost four years now. The first ones were of course pretty awful, but if we are lucky we learn with time and practice. When I was a painter a lifetime or two ago, I always painting the background first and then added the focal piece. My students thought this completely bizarre and I understand that. For me it was about making a stage to present the character -- be it coffee cups, dunes or tarot cards -- upon.

So it isn't really a surprise to me that backdrops are still a large part of my work. Most of the time I only find them; now and then I make them. I thought this was a particularly nice use of background and very fitting for the spooky season coming up, so I am adding it to the photo pool here.

Chiaroscuro

When I was first learning about art a few decades ago, I was obsessed with Chiaroscuro. I had my favorite Renaissance painters, ones that specialized in the play of light amidst dark. I had pretty much forgotten all that until I ended my latest video, SCREAM.  This scene appears in the movie. I won't tell you where as this is already a spoiler post of sorts. But as I wrapped up the editing, watching for a few more times to make sure I was actually finished, I kept coming back to this shot. I was simply mesmerized.

So much is said with so little light. It is really amazing when you think of it. I don't often get to take photos like this; SEEING the subject is often mandatory in my trade, but when it happens -- when something magic happens -- it is time for pause. This is my tribute post to that moment.

Sometimes It's What You Don't Say

Sometimes leaving out the details makes the shot. Is it the mystery? Perhaps. Or it may simply be that what is left takes on more import. As viewers we have no idea what this outfit looks like in frontal view. We have no idea what the model looks like. Is she sad or happy, thoughtful or filled with remorse? We just don't know. We have only clues. The hand on the back of her head, her crossed leg and hip askanced posture help to tell the story. Even the detailing in her stocking takes on special importance in the void that is left by what is not shown.