What To Wear… Or Not
Wardrobe is always a big issue in photo shoots. Sometimes it is about the clothes, other times it is about what the clothes do for the shoot theme such as sports or dining or being a tourist. I like wardrobe decisions on how I imagine the photographs I want to shoot with a model. Sometimes it is more and sometimes less is even more. One of my favorite models, Aristodeme. Photographed with a Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
Net Proceeds
I am guessing I got my accounting confused with my photo shoot plans. However Nova did happen to have the right wardrobe for net proceeds anyway. I am looking forward to doing net revenue next. Who wants to help me out? Thanks!
Nova photographed with Broncolor lighting and digital camera by Hasselblad.
Fashion Styling
I often think I should use a fashion stylist on my photo shoots. But then again sometimes I get by. This is the “Papier Doux” look. Okay maybe not. What do you think?
Photo shoot with a Hasselblad digital camera and Broncolor lighting. Aristodeme, one of my very favorite models.
Revisited – The Intense Environment Of Salton Sea
I attended a really fun event on Saturday night, “Open Desert – Music and Photographic Arts Showcase“. At the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum, photographs from the nearby desert areas such as Joshua Tree and the Salton Sea displayed big screen behind the live music from “Tribesmen“, “Caxton“, “Mike Pygmie Ensemble” and “Drum Hall“. I was asked why I did not submit photographs for the show. Well for one thing, they were all turned black and white. I like black and white for some photographs but I think the colors and the light in the desert should be seen as you might imagine it. And another reason, well my photographs do not tend to be the usual landscape type photographs.
“The environment of Salton Sea can be very intense. Harsh Sunlight, desolate spaces, an eeriness to the Sea itself. In places a post apocalyptic look that would be movie perfect. But I find it uniquely compelling and beautiful. A favorite location for my photo shoots. Model Bailey Daniels.” – from one of my prior Blog Posts.
Fine Art Nude?
A panel discussion at the Palm Springs Photo Festival last week raised the question of what is fine art photography. Personally I do not like definitions such as that. Is the difference between fine art and not fine art a really expensive frame perhaps. I guess this is my idea of a fine art nude. Aristodeme the model is nude and she is holding fine art. Photographed with a Hasselblad digital camera and Broncolor lighting. That equipment is fine art, and so is Aristodeme, of that I am sure!
Fashionable Undressing
My idea of evening cocktail attire might be different than for others. More of a fashion statement. One of my most favorite models, Aristodeme. The camera is Hasselblad digital. The lighting is Broncolor.
Diner Dreams
From my soon to be released series “Diner Dreams”. Photographed not only in color but also black and white medium format film. It is not what you might expect. Editorial availability and prints. Keep watching here for the release information. Thanks!
From My Series “Diner Dreams”
Sports Theme
I always admire my photographer friends who shoot sports. Some of them have shot the Olympics many times. They photograph at the Superbowl, the World Series, major sports league games and the biggest fights. So just to feel like I am part of things, I like to add a sports theme to my photo shoots now and then.
Photographed by me with a Hasselblad digital camera. Broncolor lighting with a Broncolor Para 133 reflector on a Scoro pack. I truly like the light out of that Para! Only the best!
Polaroid and Palm Springs
Something about the Palm Springs resort sunlight that makes instant photographs even better. Here with a vintage Polaroid SX-70 camera and Impossible Project film. Poolside in Palm Springs with Jamie.
The Tools Of My Work
I do get asked about my set ups for shooting, lighting and background and studio and such. Often it is somewhat simple. However I choose the tools for my work very carefully. Here you can see what has become my favorite lighting, the Broncolor Para 133. This photo shoot had it powered by a Broncolor Scoro E pack. The camera also my favorite, a Hasselblad digital. Yes my choice of gear is the very high end of equipment. But I think about the amazingly wonderful people who are in front of my cameras and in that lighting. Many prep for a very long time for these photo shoots and often it is their career. Thereby deserving of the best on my part. That is my commitment. If you have any questions or would be interested in shooting with me or have me photograph your advertising or features, please send me an e-mail to Ian@SecondFocus.com. I would be more than excited to chat with you. And Thanks!
Models Have Opinions Too
Jamie showing how to express an opinion during our photo shoot. Makes it so much fun!
You and My Camera
Simple is my favorite way of creating photographs. Here Melyssa, window light, and a medium format camera loaded with Kodak Portra film. The only camera I have really enjoyed as much as shooting film is my medium format Hasselblad digital camera. It creates that film look of color, tonality and depth that I want to see in my work. Only the best! Thanks!
Naked Home Furnishings
This is my idea of photographing home furnishings. Makes me want to buy those chairs! I think an entire home furnishing designer line or catalog photographed by me like this would be much better than what you usually see. Don’t you!
Photographed by me with a Hasselblad digital camera. Broncolor lighting with a Broncolor Para 133 reflector on a Scoro pack. That is for you photographer type people. Only the best!
Look Into The Light
Never doubt for one moment the “Professional” part of “Professional Model”. One of the first things she said to me: “I love the fabulous lighting”. A Professional Model who has been photographed around the world, appeared on the most well known magazine covers and magazine features and is much in demand. The other comment she made to me during our photo shoot; “Is that a Hasselblad DIGITAL camera? Wow!” And yes the lighting is Broncolor with their Para 133 Reflector. And yes the camera is Hasselblad digital. Only the best!
Photographed on Hasselblad Digital. Lighting by Broncolor with a Broncolor Para 133 Reflector. Only the best.
Mid Century Modern Pool Cleaning
My idea of Mid-Centruy Modern pool cleaning. Mid-Century Modern architecture and Modernism style is very popular here in Palm Springs. However it can get somewhat redundant and boring. I think it needs my own photographic interpretation. Made a little more Mid-Century by being photographed with a 1960’s Polaroid Land Camera.
Models In The Sun
I am always considerate with my models about being in the Sun. Especially here in Palm Springs. After all, it is a desert resort. Aristodeme photographed with a classic Polaroid Land Camera on Instant Film from FujiFilm.
Nobody Does It Like Me!
Nobody shoots photographs like I do in Palm Springs… Nobody! Not even close! Ok it does help that I have the likes of the gorgeous Sherry Goggin in front of my cameras. But you get the idea I am sure!
December is a great month for shooting out here, the weather is great. Although we do have something like 350 days of Sun during the year. So whether it is your magazine features, fashion stories, advertising or maybe your own portfolio. From shoe fashions on beautiful women to fast moving airplanes or even a travel story. Just send me a note to SecondFocus@mac.com and we can chat about it.
Note that I shoot nothing but the finest of equipment. Hasselblad medium format digital and Broncolor lighting. For more portability and faster action I am now shooting the superb FujiFilm X-Series cameras and lenses.
I also have the finest makeup artists available and all kinds of shoot locations from desert to gyms. Just let me know and we can talk about it. And again, my e-mail is SecondFocus@mac.com. Look forward to hearing from you soon! Thanks!
Behind The Scenes With You…
You could be looking at behind the scenes photographs of my photo shoot with you. These are from one of my shoots with the more than beautiful and wonderful Stacey Naito. This is the time that I am really giving a lot of thought to my planning for photo shoots for the coming year just around the corner. Of course I will continue to do my photography in bodybuilding and fitness whether in the gym, in the pool, or on location. I am also continuing to expand my shooting more directed to lifestyle features, edgy and nude fashion, editorial and advertising. And as I have always said, I reserve the right to photograph anything I find fun and interesting. So if you want to be a part of any of those concepts, genres and ideas or just want to get in on the fun and interesting, it is time to send me an e-mail to SecondFocus@mac.com with what you are thinking and let’s chat about it. Thanks! 
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