Looking back at some of the work I’ve created over the past few years, I never realized how much I’ve shot, the techniques I’ve learned, and how much I’ve developed as a photographer. I definitely appreciate everyone that has helped me along the way. I’ve amassed catalog of different looks, different colors, and different styles that sometimes amazes me because it was all done out of a sheer desire and love for what I...
RS Photography:
You have the look. I will give you an image.
Sometimes my timing is so perfect it’s almost scary. While I did not win the mega lottery, I did run across thirty of these beauties on my way to get gas for the mower. It was a meeting of The Southside A’s Ford Model A car club.
I didn’t know any of them, I didn’t know why they were there, or if they would even allow me to shoot pictures. Being the inquisitive photographer that I am I stepped out of my dented Nissan and I asked the host if it were okay for me to shoot some pictures. He replied, “Absolutely, but we will be leaving in about 25 minutes.”. I thanked him and began to do my thing.
Being around all these wonderful classics I had to show these pieces of art in the light and angles that they truly deserved. Which meant laying on the grass, shooting off balance, and getting the best angle that I could possibly get. Minutes later they started showing me around to the different rides, explaining where the cars came from, telling me all about the club. It was truly an exciting experience. This shot was one of my favorites. It exemplified what these really are…True Classics.
Via Flickr:
RS Photography, www.photosbyrs.com, Southside A’s
One of the shots Menat wanted was a picture of her new tattoo. The tattoo is an exact replica of Angelina Jolie’s shoulder tattoo, Menat, wanted the tattoo immortalized photographically. So in creating the shot, we had to come up with a concept where the tattoo would be the focus. I had her look over her shoulder and centered the light on the tattoo to emphasize it as the main character. I chose to make it a black and white to give Menat a little mystery hiding her face in the dark, but leaving her shoulder in the light. I like using this type of lighting technique on a black background because the light cut off is so instant it looks like she literally stepped out of darkness.
I created this one in the midst of a marathon type shoot. Believe it or not she was the seventh one I shot that night. The challenge with shooting so many in one night is keeping it fresh and not being formulaic. I like for each model’s personality to show individually. In this shot I wanted to show Persia Paressa, the model, up close and personal. So regardless of what angle you look at this photo I wanted her beauty to shine through.
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Amanda track, originally uploaded by RS.photography.
Amanda, pictured, approached me about doing a shoot with a track and field theme. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. Nothing tells the stories of triumph or the agony of defeat as well as sports. When I approach these shots I like to show the athlete in their environment perched like a king or queen sitting on their throne. Because we are creating the shot, I tend to tell the story of triumph and heroism, versus defeat. At the end to me this picture looks like a shoe ad. Nike are looking? If so go to the contact page, I’m only a phone call away.
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When asked to shoot portraits for “On the Move Fitness”, Manny Alexander ask me if I could shoot him some shots that were dynamic, showed movement, and had a mood different from regular pictures. Manny’s training style is very extraordinary. While he uses many of the same equipment many other trainers use, he does so in away much different than I’ve seen. Here he’s doing push-up’s balanced on three medicine balls. In creating the shots I went through extraordinary means to capture the looks he desired. Instead clearing out space for the shoot, I shot around the equipment to get the perspective of dumbbells on the floor. I wanted the lighting to be high contrast to show the grit of the gym. We shot with the air condition off to make the shoot as uncomfortable as a workout. I tried to take shots from angles to show the difficulty of the exercises. As you can see below, these training sessions aren’t for the weak at heart. It’s called a work out for a reason. I wanted the photos to come across with the same edge and intensity.
There’s nothing like shooting a new location with a new model. Many photographers only like working with models that they have shot with before because the time it takes them to get in tune with each other and the environment is shortened. I too appreciate working with someone I’ve worked with before because they start to learn my habits and things move a lot quicker. Then another side of me loves working with someone new in an unfamiliar environment because it takes me out of my comfort zone, and makes me less dependable on my habits, and thus not as predictable. It keeps the process organic, free flowing and a fresh new experience. It didn’t take long for the model, April Herrera, to get in tune with me. This was one of the more mystical shots of the shoot. We will definitely shoot again, and I will definitely post more shots from this shoot. I’m still adjusting to the new camera, but so far so good.
Learn MoreTwo of my most favorites words in photography. For years I was convinced that the studio was way to go. Get a white drop, a black drop, a set lights and all my problems would be solved. That worked for a while, that is until I was introduced to the words on location by Aubrey Williams.
He said, “Man you need to get out of the studio, and shoot outside.” I never realized how helpful this advice would be. While on location presents many challenges, for me it renewed my love for photography.
For every challenge I had to learn a new solution. The reward for these challenges are great textures, colors, and compositions you simply can not create in a studio environment. Even a basic pose like this looks so much better just because of the location. Who knows, maybe I’ll never shoot in a studio again. Well then again, the winter is drawing near.
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