An Angel Has Fallen
A few years ago in the beginning stages of my Dancers Project, I was fortunate enough to meet a pole dancer that not only possessed an incredible talent for pole dancing but was also one of the loveliest people I’ve met. She came across as such a gentle and kind soul. She was probably one of the first pole dancers that convinced me that pole dancing is truely an art form and should definetly be an olympic sport.
A few years ago in the beginning stages of my Dancers Project, I was fortunate enough to meet a pole dancer that not only possessed an incredible talent for pole dancing but was also one of the loveliest people I’ve met. She came across as such a gentle and kind soul. She was probably one of the first pole dancers that convinced me that pole dancing is truely an art form and should definetly be an olympic sport. We did the photo shoot and I sent her the results shortly after. Since then we went our separate ways and carried on with out lives. I would look at the photos occasionally while putting together my project.
It came as a huge shock and filled me with great sadness when I learned a few years later that she had died. So young and filled with life and energy. This made me question many things in my own life and I will forever be grateful that I had the opportunity to photograph her, to capture her image forever in the way that I saw and knew her.
I’ve been looking at those same photos recently because I am busy redoing my website. My skill level has improved since then and I just had to re-edit the photos of her as I feel that the old ones didn’t do her justice. I think that these photos better represent her grace, beauty, power and sensuality.
Rest well, you are missed.
Chad
The Body In Color and B/W
I've always been a big admirer of classics like Helmut Newtons nudes in black and white and I prefer looking at the body in tones of grey but I have found a new interest in older color nudes or those nudes shot on film with their often rich and warm tones
I've always been a big admirer of classics like Helmut Newtons nudes in black and white and I prefer looking at the body in tones of grey but I have found a new interest in older color nudes or those nudes shot on film with their often rich and warm tones. Even newer photographers like Dubnitskiy are really inspiring when it comes to color nudes. The tones, feel and actually feeling from his models is great. Anyway, I thought it about time I give it a try and I'm really pleased with the results. While black and white will always be my preferred choice for this genre of photos I find working in color refreshing for now. I'm concentrating more on colors in my street photography these days and decided to shoot mostly color for a nude shoot I did.
The end results are worlds apart for me but just as interesting. I need to put a lot more effort into the upcoming color shoots and maybe more inspiration and research is required. Hit me up with links to any photographers old or new that you admire whom are shooting great color nudes.
It's time I updated my nudes portfolio so I can see a couple of these making the final cut.
Have a groovy weekend everyone
Chad
Sometimes it's what you don't see that is the most enjoyable.
Getting In Close With Nudes (NSFW)
A friend of mine who is also a photographer was recently looking at my work and made an interesting observation about my nudes portfolio. He noted that I tend to shoot the entire body and never come in close for tight shots. After listening to this I had another look at my work and he is correct in this.
A friend of mine who is also a photographer was recently looking at my work and made an interesting observation about my nudes portfolio. He noted that I tend to shoot the entire body and never come in close for tight shots. After listening to this I had another look at my work and he is correct in this. I never gave it much thought before but after thinking about it I realized my reasons for doing this. I always felt that when shooting nudes, the entire body is necessary to tell a story or show or evoke an emotion. However after doing a quick crop of one of my photos he showed this to be untrue. In fact the cropped version was much more powerful to me.
So, as a result of this I have been scouring my archives of all my nude shoots looking for any close or tight shots that I might have taken before but just decided weren't any good. I have discovered a few photos which I will post below.
After looking at these photos I came to another realization as to how much more control I have over my lighting than before and in my opinion how this has greatly improved my photography.
Shooting close or tight shots will also force me to think of the body in a completely direct way to what I am used to and this will hopefully make for some interesting photos. Maybe less emotion and more sculpture like is an approach I should try. The soft curve of the lower back, the strained neck as the head is twisted, a knee, an elbow? I am not sure at this point but look forward to trying.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
Chad
Boudoir Shoot
South Africa, a whole lot more than just braaivleis and brandewyn!!!
I was really happy to have been able to line up a couple of shoots while on my holiday in Johannesburg, this was one of them.
I had an amazing time shooting with this lady and can't wait to go back and shoot more of the South African talent. Thanks to Y for putting in so much effort in preparation for our shoot, from all the beautiful pieces of lingerie right down to the french manicure and pedicure. I always give my best when shooting but whenever I see this much effort on the part of the model it inspires me to give even more.
