Last week I received another brief from The Missile, regarding an editorial image for 'his' magazine.
Time was organised, as was subject, then finally location. So the night before the shoot I trundled off to the location - a flash hotel in the CBD. From recent experience, I decided to introduce myself to the corporate marketing people, who as it turned out, were very chilled about the use of their venue for a photo shoot. I received a tour of possible sites, exchanged business cards, and headed home with a couple of solid ideas in mind...
...To get in and check my messages to find out that the venue was in fact in correct, and that I was required to photograph the subject at another hotel, even deeper in the CBD. Ooooh-kay.
So then next morning, I show up at the location with armfuls of gear, to be told that 'Marketing' knew nothing about it and until we had the Official Management Approval, we were to cease and desist. Luckily enough the Platinum Member's Club Guest Personal Satisfaction Consultant Executive (ahem) didn't mind me conducting some lighting 'tests' in case we received management approval. The funny thing was (as you can see in the images) we didn't actually include any branding, logos or anything remotely identifiable (unless of course you're a handrail enthusiast) - I just wanted the view. And who owns the rights to that?
Needless to say - the subject, who stays at this particular venue on a regular basis and who holds and decidedly expensive membership to the aforementioned member's club was particularly put out - which made it even harder to cultivate and maintain a relaxed vibe for the photoshoot.
Still - even though we had the brakes thrown on by management, I still managed to salvage a few (OK, more than a few) suppliable images for consideration for publishing. Heh.
In one of those last minute rushes that the print media seem to gravitate towards, I was asked by a magazine editor I've recently been supplying images to to photograph a local businessman. Story aside, Singo Jr or Jack - choose your preferred monicker - is a character that comes from a famous and well off family, but has decided to make it on his own. And, to his credit, isn't doing too badly.
When I visit a subject, I try to grab a few options for the publishers. One or two 'safe' options, and, if I get a good vibe from the subject, I might try something a little different. So after a few different locations (one with the city scape in the background and another at his desk) I asked one of his office associates to become my VAPLS (Voice Activated Portable Light Stand). Holding the flash directly above him and just in front of him, I used the soft light at the edge to provide the main light, and bounced some fill from under his chin using a rather large silver reflector. There were quite a few 'serious' shots of straight to camera, but his constant and amusing interaction with the VAPLS provided a shot of his cheeky grin, and eyes looking away from the camera - a little bit more candid and less contrived. Because he was situated in front of a pillar, the two windows on either side provided the slightest of cold (blue) skim light, but by dialling back the shutter speed I was able to darken the background for some definition. A little bit of post, and voila, simple really. Anyway.
So - using some of the advertising industries easily recognised faces, I put together a quick DL sized PDF flier, and started emailing. Happily enough, I've received a reply from a PR company that requires some portrait photography done. I've submitted an estimate for consideration and am waiting for a reply. So fingers crossed.
Celebrating anniversaries can be fun.
And it's those spontaneous events that really stand out.
We've been chatting with one of our neighbours over the past few weeks - he lives above us, works in health and does some stupidly mad hours - but as it turns out is also a firm believer in the 'Work hard, play hard' adage. He'll disappear into the darkness some nights with his BMX or street rig and shred up some concrete and drop offs. So it was a pleasure to be offered the use of one of his bikes for an afternoon of riding. OK - so I haven't ridden for over a year, and being in marginal control of a hardtail, with street slicks and no body armour, riding over very unfamiliar terrain did provide more than a few clenching moments. But Dr M and his friend James were great guides, and despite downplaying their own riding abilities, were hitting up some mint obstacles.
The terrain is nothing like I've ridden on before so I was glad that I'd packed the camera, flash and off-camera flash cord. So I set up, and caught some images of both the riders flowing over sections like The Temple Of Doom but unfortunately a new built lead-in jump to a berm failed to provide any spectacular images. Next time.
