Behind the Scenes

Last Week.

Well, this last week has been super stressful - last two weeks of school = crunch time! I'll add a gear list at the bottom for you photographers reading!

 I started Saturday by assisting a shoot with Jessica Dawn.  We met up with our model, Cindy Fay, to shoot a bathtub scene with milk.
 

And then we decided to shoot our own photos at Confederation Park.  More to come, but here's what's done now. The first two images are entitled: Collapse & Survival.  Both focusing on feral themes and our separation from nature, as opposed to our integration (hence why the rib cage is insanely pushed - this was intentional!) The latter was submitted for a project at Langara and was inspired by both Tara Lundrigan's work and the album artwork for "Houses of the Holy" by Led Zeppelin.  Jessica's model page is here.  We're planning to work a lot more together in the future so stay tuned for that!

Come Sunday, I was helping out my friend Jesse Yuen out with three assignments.  The first being a portraiture assignment where he had designed the ring light using supplies from equipment stores, totalling to a relatively affordable $250 (some of the pro models can go for a grand!)  The second is a conceptual composite, with a bartender chatting up a guest with floating bottles and glasses.  Lastly, is a BTS assignment where I (attempted) to shoot video while he was doing his shoots.  Note to self?  Don't operate a camera after copious amounts of caffeine.   Expect to see more projects with Jesse as he is now working with Courtney, currently a stylist and make-up artist starting up Quintessence, a modelling agency.

Last assignment for my portraiture class is working with both continuous light sources and flashes at the same time.  I remember seeing Julia Kuzmenko McKim's work and being so drawn into her style of doing things, so I attempted to take a stab at it. My girlfriend, Carmen, kindly volunteered herself for the shoot, but we only spent about 15 minutes to hammer it out.  The final image, entitled The Sinner, is attached below:

Anyhoo, thanks for staying around for this rather long blog post!  Until next time :).

Gear Used:

Jessica & Cindy Fay

  • Nikon D610 w. 24-70mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4
  • SB-700 w/ Softbox, Strobe on slave
  • BTS shot with 60D & kit lens
  • On-camera halogen light

Jessica Dawn (Nudes)

  • Nikon D610 w. 50mm 1.4
  • Manfrotto 055 Tripod

Jesse Yuen

  • Nikon D700 w. 35mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8
  • Profoto Air & Strobes, 60" stripboxes with grids
  • BTS shot with D610, D7000, 24-70mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 & 70-200mm 2.8 
  • Some reflectors, steady cam and video slider
  • DIY Ring Flash (operated with dimmers)

Carmen (Mixed Lights)

  • Nikon D610 w. 85mm 1.8
  • SB-700 w/ umbrella
  • Modelling light
  • Coloured gels

Jesse Yuen

  • Nikon D700 w. 35mm 1.4, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8
  • Profoto Air & Strobes, 60" stripboxes with grids
  • BTS shot with D610, D7000, 24-70mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 & 70-200mm 2.8 
  • Some reflectors, steady cam and video slider
  • DIY Ring Flash (operated with dimmers)

Carmen (Mixed Lights)

  • Nikon D610 w. 85mm 1.8
  • SB-700 w/ umbrella
  • Modelling light
  • Coloured gels

Dance Photos with Laura

Are we humans, or are we dancers?

I had previously shot Laura before for her dance portfolio but I wasn't too satisfied with the end photos (I'm glad she got some use out of them, though!)  We decided to arrange another round of photos with some more dramatic lighting with some help from my best friend/her boyfriend, Michael Loder.

We decided to hit up an open parking lot near sundown with 2 flashes, with 2 main looks.  I'm really excited to see Laura evolve in her dancing abilities and for Mike to enter Kwantlen for fashion design!  More collaborations!

Gear used:

  • Nikon D700
  • Nikon 24-70 2.8
  • 2x SB-700s with 24" softbox & white umbrella


Here are some quick edits and behind the scenes below.  You can follow them both on Instagram: @laura3kirchner & @mrloder

Pagan Extras

Thought I'd share the extras (1 minute edits) from the Pagan photoshoot I did earlier this semester with models: Carmen Naujokat, Julia Herron & Cara Marks.  Make-up, Hair and Styling all done by the fabulous and talented Jane Dubberley. 

Her Facebook page can be found here, she's my go-to for all my hair needs! https://www.facebook.com/JaneDubHair?fref=ts

I hope you enjoy!

Gear: 

  • Nikon D610
  • Nikon 24-70mm 2.8, Nikon 35mm 1.8, Nikon 50mm 1.4, Nikon 85mm 1.8
  • Predominantly natural light! Few reflectors and softboxes w/ SB-700s

Behind the Scenes with Jesse Yuen

I had the fine opportunity of shooting with my friend and classmate, Jesse Yuen, on February 15th.  We had the luxury of shooting 5 models on the upper level of the Earls Restaurant in Yaletown. 

Gear:

  • Nikon D610/D700
  • Sigma 35 1.4, Nikon 50mm 1.4, Nikon 85mm 1.8, Nikon 24-70 2.8, Sigma 70-200 2.8
  • SB-800/Cactus Receivers
  • Beauty Dish
  • Westcott Apollo 50" Softbox
  • Reflector