Random Thoughts, Inner Monologues and Absence of Color
It's been a while since I wrote anything and because I had a fairly busy three months of 2023, I wanted to share a few moments with you. So let's start!
I spent almost the entire January with my girlfriend in London, starting off with the celebration of new years eve, and having many shoots together. As always, she brought so much talent both as a MUA for other models, or in front of my lens as a model when I came up with some crazy ideas for her, thank you for that, love you!
I didn't take as many street shots (as I wanted to), due to the weather being fairly cold, and also myself getting very picky with what I shoot, even in terms of basic street photography. I feel that I need more than just good lighting and nice shadows to press the shutter, much rather have some sort of abstraction or rare but random moment of beauty, which could be a walking person or a flying bird.
In the past months, I did mostly projects in the Studio, avoiding the cold by any chance. I swear my hatred for winter and cold weather grows every year, so I took this opportunity to get some well-needed Studio practice, which I avoided in these 2 years. Even though I feel more and more comfortable, I wouldn't trade it for the open space of shooting in daylight on sunny streets. Really recommending Studio 36, they really have everything you need for every type of project!
Also had the chance to shoot for Converse, which was a blast, and an honor. With barely any sun out, I wanted to take a more abstract and motion-filled root with these shots, representing the brand in its natural habitat in the urban environment. I still remember little me getting obsessed with these shoes in the early 2000s (yes I’m that old), and finally getting my first pair when I was 13. So it's understandable, that this opportunity meant a lot to me and little me, who proudly took pictures with my dad's old Nokia phone of my new Chucks!
My favorite shot has to be the dog and the model creating a nice parallel to each other with their scheme of colors and positions to each other.
Had the chance to shoot singer/songwriter Laura Cserpes, whilst having a lot of fun. My favorite photographs have to be the "feather" dress ones. Such a dynamic, almost animalistic, yet peaceful series. Reminds me of Papagena from the Magic Flute.
It might be a surprise, but I have never shot black and white films before, so I had to check this one off my bucket list with Kentmere 400 (I can never remember the name of this stock ffs, but apparently it's a little valley and village in England as well). My impressions?
At box speed, especially in a well-lit studio setting it feels kind of flat, and even has some tint to it, which leads to some corrections and heavy contrasting in post. But altogether, I think this might be a great film even for nighttime, due to its flexibility, would recommend pulling it during daytime though.
My battle with self-criticism still continues...which is a double-edged sword, fluctuating between loving my work on one day and the desire to delete my entire portfolio from the internet on the next. I learned to deal with this by being grateful for everything photography gave me in these past 2 years, from the amazing people I met, the great opportunities, and most importantly, the fact that a sunny day and some interesting shadows on a random wall can lighten up my mood entirely, like never before.
Looking back I would have never thought in my wildest dreams that picking up my 1100D for the first time would spark this passion in two years, let alone lead to an obsession…
Hopefully, the weather will brighten up, and I can chase shadows and lights in the streets again, hopefully, you do the same, and create something wonderful too! Take some amazing pictures, and have a lovely day!
