What I Learned From My First (technically second...) Blacklight Shoot

On Lighting....
- A white light to bounce off the ceiling behind a black backdrop will provide just enough to get facial features and a hair glow in the photos.

On Makeup...
- Hair with texture really POPS in photos.
- If you think something is missing... it probably is.
- UV paints as mascara... GENIUS! (Thanks Emily!)  Though, there is something to be said about seeing the black against the paint (like in Amber's pics)...

My wish list of things I wish I fixed
- Jeremy's "Warrior Mask":  needed something on the jawline or mouth to add definition
- Amanda's Hair": she had a uv reactive hair piece in, however, she needed something to frame her face.  putting uv orange hair spray in would've done the trick.

On Tripods...
- The higher a tripod can go, the better.  Gives more angels to work with.


Things I'm going to try at the next Blacklight shoot (Feb 12/13)
 Using a strobe set at a very low light level with a blue filter on it.
Hopefully it'll have the effect I want.

Won't know until I try it :)

- DJK

More Blacklight!

Here's a bunch that I did up yesterday.  I finally found a filter that kinda did what i wanted it too...


This is a set of 3 of Kitty.  The first is my original edit.  The colors are bright but yet her facial features haven't been lost due to contrast.  One of my favorites!

Kitty

This second one has the contrast upped so the colors are more vibrant.  While her jawline is still present, her nose and mouth are now lost in the shadows.

Kitty

This third one I did just for kicks  :)  I knew kitty would LOVE the bright crazy colors  lol

Kitty

Amanda

Amber

Amber

Jeremy

Amber

This one of Emily is probably my favorite of the whole shoot (so far).  The filter did exactly what I wanted it to do!  The texture in her hair is amazing and the makeup is done just right so that while we don't see her jawline, etc, we also don't miss it.

Emily

Couples Portraits and Blacklight

Here's what you've all been waiting for!!!  (LOL)

Choice pics from 2 Couples Portraits sessions.

Tiff and Arthur

Mira and Craig

Blacklight Portraits with Amber, Jeremy, Kitty, Amanda and Emily
Make up by Paper Dolls and Kristyn Mathews of Badly Broken Designs

Jeremy

Amber

Kitty

Amanda

Emily

thought this was funny :)

Should You Work For Free??

for photogs, models, MUA/HD, etc

Rant.

so, I don't actually do this very often.  but i think this time it's important.

What makes a professional??

Well, a good solid basic definition is someone who gets paid for at least 80% of the work they do.

... what about school?  equipment/supplies?  years in business?  talent?!?

A talented person in their chosen art may never be paid for the work they do.  They are not a professional.
An untalented person may have gone to school, spend thousands of dollars on fancy equipment, and marketed themselves in such a way to get business and continue to get paid for what they do.  They are a professional.

Someone who is passionate about photography (or modeling or singing or makeup artistry or clothing design, etc) may never take classes or buy first-rate equipment, but does that mean they should be shot down by others when they are trying to learn the good ol' fashioned way?  By using older or lower-grade equipment and doing things for practice and to learn BY DOING?

I have a good enough camera.  Some lights, but not fancy by any means.  I directed shoots and modeled without ever doing so before, but my personality and lifestyle led to me doing a good job and then by continuing to involve myself in photoshoots and learning as I went along I've become better, and will continue to do better as I keep going.

Just because someone calls themselves a professional, doesn't mean they deserve it.

Just because someone is trying to learn about a profession, doesn't mean they'll ever do it professionally, but it doesn't mean they'll never get to the level that a true professional should be at.

Yes, the unfortunate reality is that sometimes people just don't take you seriously unless you have papers to show that you know what you're doing.  Which is sad.  If your portfolio is outstanding then you shouldn't be judged for not having gone to school.  I know a very talented makeup artist who was turned down for jobs because she didn't have a piece of paper saying she knew what she was doing (even though her portfolio speaks for itself).

I dont take $ for shoots.
I don't believe I am at that level.
That being said, one day I may get to the level where I can consistently take great photos and deliver them to a client with fantastic results.
The only way I'm ever going to get to that level is by using my shitty camera, cheap lights and by doing shoots for free and learning everything I can from EVERYONE I can along the way.

As with everything in life... LEARN TO DO BY DOING!

- Deb

It's Here!

Here's the weekend schedule for January.  There are weeknights available as well by request only.

Saturday, 22nd, is for Blacklight only.  It is close-ups only for that weekend (face, bust line up) as Robert and I are trying out some new ideas to make the best Blacklight art EVER!  ;) lol  Well, maybe it's my quest and I drag Robert along because he's offered to teach me everything he knows... I did learn lots from our Photo-Date on wednesday :)
We will be doing full body blacklight at a later date.

There MAYBE a TforP bodypaint shoot coming up.  More info on mon/tues.

Any empty slots are open for... Nude, Fetish, PinUp/Glamour/Fashion, Family Portraiture, Couples/Romantic.

Sat 15th
1:30 to 3
3:30 to 5
*7 to 8/8:30 - V and B

Sun 16th
2 to 3:30 - T and A

Sat 22nd, BLACKLIGHT

1:30 to 3

3:30 to 5

Sun 23rd

2 to 3:30 - M and C

Thanks Everyone!
Looking forward to some great shoots :)

To book contact me directly:
CameraShyProductions@gmail.com

- Deb

January Schedule!

well, I know this is what you're all waiting for!

The January Schedule for TforP shoots :)   (that's Trade For Pics, basically free for all but don't sell without permission from all parties)

But it's not ready yet...

I'm meeting with my main man Robert to go over everything and have a photo-date tonight.

It'll be posted by Thursday evening.

It will include:
- Blacklight
- Couples
- Bodypaint (will be posted mon/tues when i talk to my bodypaint artist)
- Fetish
- Open TimeSlots (for nudes, preggie pics, fashion, portraiture, personal, pinup, etc)

Here's hoping it all fills up so I get lots of practice shooting and editing!

- DJ