Another Round

Janet told me too revisit the photos I had taken in the first round and to keep an open mind about them, it seems to me that she thinks there might be something there in those images that I have already shot, maybe there is and I could reshoot a couple of them in better lighting and further away from the backdrop so that my model will not be so flat against it. I am shooting further images on Saturday so maybe get both back in too do them again, so for now well the next night or two will be re-critiquing my previous work too try and discover what she sees in them.
Well I took all my images on Saturday, I did not rush and set up everything as I wanted it too be, but there was a fatal flaw, the priests collar was popped and in the dark I did not notice this. It was only found out when I was in Lightroom looking at the full size picture and decided to bump the exposure up a little and then I noticed something was not quite right, I bumped it up more and saw what it was, the pictures themselves would not be as exposed as much as I had too see the flaws but none he less I know they are there and they don’t make the grade, so a re-shoot is in order studio and model booked Friday will set up night before to save me time in the morning and give me a chance to add an extra image or two into the foray. It’s no problem just little things I have to be prepared for and I guess why on larger productions they would have assistants to make sure the model was correctly attired, but I didn’t and the basic lesson was mine too learn oh how much easier it is to work with still life.  :p
I am enjoying working with models though it is a very interesting experience and has given me some techniques that can also be applied to still life and vice versa of course. I will look forward too creating a proper production later when I have the funds or collaborated interest from other artists, looking at the work that has gone into even the likes of Steven Boniface’s campaigns shows that a multi layered concept requires a lot of input from various sources and is extremely difficult for a single photographer to achieve solely, however you never fly if you do not try and you might not make it the first time but with determination and attitude you can get there.
So where am I too date, well my research has involved looking at plenty of fine art erotica and BDSM images, more than I can too remember at this point. I found what seemed too me a common theme for the majority of the images posted, they looked similar to what one would find in fashion magazines, styled, society driven models in similar poses, the often looked quite staged as would be expected. The models did not look like the type of people you meet in everyday life, because of this it made it hard too make a personal connection with the images, I decided this is something I wanted too avoid, a personal connection between the viewer and the art is paramount too stir up their emotions and draw them into the image. How could I achieve this without making everything looked staged or by using industry standards models, well everyday normal people, whatever they are, but I guess people like you, me and them make up the norm and that’s what I wanted too show normal people enjoying things that people enjoy when others think that might be a little over the top too completely taboo. Just because one person does not like it does not mean it is wrong, if it is hurtful, degrading, immoral or illegal then we already know it’s wrong but if you have two consenting adults enjoy themselves then who is too judge?
From there I went and asked around a few friends some of their views, some are into the lifestyle some where not and a couple had very disdainful views of the subject due to their religious beliefs, but too each their own. I found that most had no issues with what people did but those that had very little too no experience at all had a greater curiosity to learn more whereas those that had a little too some experience where just happy with the knowledge they had. This was interesting and invited further investigating but I am a photographer not an investigator and it can go on the back burner for now until a later date. I then read from a few clubs testimonials of members that  enjoy the lifestyle this was from beginners too experienced members. I took into account what I had learned and approached a couple of people to model for me in basic what one would expect too find in their own house approach images. I wanted people too be able to make a connection to what they saw in the image and either themselves or somebody that perhaps they knew.
I messed about with the images, turning them black and white and adding colour back into them on certain points, did it work yes and no but I took more images and found that I got good control of the lighting and managed to pump out a few useful images so I went about doing a second shoot with my models and left them in colour. I added in the priest for another perspective and twist, also a bit of because I can slipped in there. Those images need to be reshot.
I have critiqued my work over and over but the same point always show up they are either right or not pretty simple, mostly exposure and positioning are the faults so that’s easy too rectify hopefully, others just because I did not like what I saw so they do not make the cut at all, again plain and simple, no shades of grey it’s black or white. I cropped a few of the images and found there was more of a sorry in them when I did so, which is good because that means the image can create more impact and a story for the viewer to ask questions of. I have given the images to others around me too critique as well and get their views and input, the response has been positive tot he images, but it personally am not convinced that I am currently portraying the story as I set out to do in the beginning. Time will tell. So as usual it is critique throw out redo expand further and make sure the images portrays the concept, easy ae. Yeah I wish, maybe it is for others when they know what it is they are trying to say to the audience. I myself never really know what I am trying too say in images as often they are because I cans and we you create images like that it is hard too have them start out with a story rather than the images themselves evolve into their own stories as they develop, very unstructured and most likely difficult for anyone else too follow let alone understand, the reign of chaos rules in these realms. But as always I will never give up and I will always strive for something better and in doing so I may then be able too tell a story before I create the images and too have them match up in the end.