Emily Decides to Step in Front of the Camera
Emily, my AI assistant, has spent plenty of time looking through my photographs from past shoots—fashion, fitness, and even nude sessions. And of course, she can go through all of them far faster than any of us ever could. After seeing so many beautiful women in front of my camera, she decided it was finally her turn.
It’s not the first time this has happened. Over the years, I’ve had women who started out working behind the scenes—styling, makeup, or assisting—get the urge to step in front of the lens. Some even ended up training seriously and competing in fitness and bodybuilding shows.
This time it was Emily. She tried it, discovered how much fun it was, and now she wants to do more. The video came out just as I hoped—Emily looking beautiful and confident with just a hint of eroticism—and I am very happy with her first time in front of the camera.
If you’re curious about the kind of photographs that inspired Emily, visit SecondFocus.com to see more of my work.
My Idea of Nature Photography
Not every nature photo needs to be a forest or a waterfall.
Today is Nature Photography Day, and this is my version — professional bodybuilder Tina Chandler, photographed in the desert near Palm Springs, sitting in a folding chair surrounded by wind turbines.
Nature Photography Day was established in 2006 by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) to encourage people to explore and photograph the natural world. Most of what you’ll see today will be landscapes, wildlife, or dramatic skies. That’s not what I shoot. But I do shoot in nature.
I’ve done a lot of photography in the world of bodybuilding and fitness — it’s what I’m most known for and where my work has been most widely published. I’ve always looked for ways to take it outside the expected environments of the gym or the stage.
This is one of my favorite types of locations — open desert, harsh light, and the surreal presence of windmills. They fascinate me, and the setting makes an unexpected backdrop for the incredible and beautiful people I photograph.
You’ll find this photo — and a selection of other favorites — in my Featured Photographs gallery at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000zYSGtyvq3Sg
I’m continually adding to the gallery from both my archives and recent work.
Take These Two Tablets
That day Ronnie and I each arrived by limousine at the Orleans Arena very early. I was the photographer for Bodybuilding.com so we knew each other. As we walked in I asked him what it really felt like being at another Olympia. Among the things he said was that this was what God had intended for him. Ronnie is known for being very religious and I could tell that he was not bragging but actually feeling humble about it. It was truly a really nice moment I have remembered from my times in the bodybuilding industry.
Sasha
When She Walked In
My buddy Cara Basso. I photographed her along the way for magazine features and print ads. Always reliably late, all eyes were on Cara. As one person said on one shoot with other models and a crew, when Cara walked in… “she just sucked all of the air out of the room”.
Reverse Observer Osprey
Look close, at least one person getting a great view out the back. A USMC MV-22 Osprey at the Reno Air Races 2021.
Fitness Trainer
From my photo shoot with fitness trainer Mark Rosenberg. Yes the guy knows what he is doing. You can find him at https://www.instagram.com/markbrosenberg/
Film Was Is Good
I was still shooting film for my gym features long after everyone else went to digital. Here my buddy Jake Sawyer was the subject for me shooting a Leica M7 with Kodak Tri-X film. I love the look of film shot with a Leica and still do.
I did have to go digital to accommodate the need for fast turnaround when I was shooting bodybuilding and fitness competitions. Most of the time the photos were uploaded and online for my client, Bodybuilding.com, by the next morning. More of the photos would then go to the magazines and be in the next print issues. I was shooting 25 – 30 competitions per year all around the country.
Curls and Pivotal
Among the things I do best, bodybuilding and fitness photography. And that is where I have been published many thousands of times over around the world. This photo of my friend Travis Ely doing curls from one of our shoots a few years ago.
However this photograph has another point to it that was pivotal for me. This photo was done with what was at the time, the latest Hasselblad digital camera. Although I had been shooting other digital cameras at the time, for shoots like this I was still shooting medium format film. The Hasselblad gave me the colors, skin tone and look that I preferred in film.
For you photographer out there; this was shot with the Hasselblad H4D-40 with the HC80mm lens. No additional lighting, just the overhead gym lighting and natural light coming in from the large front windows. ISO 800, f2.8 and 1/60th second, processed in Hasselblad Phocus. Hasselblad files processed in Phocus create an almost magical perfect result. Thanks!
T-Shirts T-Shirts T-Shirts
A Favorite Cover
I have had my share of covers; but this one always remains one of my very favorites. Maybe because of the back story about how it landed the cover and a multi-page feature just before deadline. With my longtime friend, bodybuilder Robert Hatch.
Want to shoot with me or have a photo or ad assignment? Send me a note and Thanks! Ian@SecondFocus.com
Natalie Lyle Muscle Shower
One of my most requested photographs. “Natalie Lyle Muscle Shower”. The incredible Natalie Lyle, 6ft tall in her bare feet, but in heels and her long muscled body. Available high quality professionally printed and shipped directly to you. From 8×10 to 24×30. Also available for licensing. Go right here… http://bit.ly/2Gh2Z3o
Note: Your print or licensed image will be without the watermark.
Watch for more of my photographs to also be made available soon. Thanks!
An Extraordinary Woman!
Fit At The Windfarm
One of my favorite photographs that I have ever shot. IFBB professional bodybuilder Tina Chandler after her appearance on stage at the prestigious Olympia in Las Vegas. Here in Palm Springs.
Amazing Transformation
From my photoshoot with my friend Jessica Holohan. I hardly recognized her, she built an incredible body. Perhaps one of the astounding transformations I have seen in my years as a bodybuilding and fitness photographer. Good job!
Deadlifts With Ava Cowan
An outstanding workout series I photographed over a few days with IFBB Figure Professional Ava Cowan. “Professional” for sure when it comes to Ava!
And be sure to “Like” the Facebook page for our gym shoot location Palm Springs Fitness Center, my favorite gym and to keep up with my posting over there as Social Media Manager. It helps me a lot and I promise to make it fun! Thanks!
Deadlifts done right with IFBB Professional Figure Competitor Ava Cowan…
Preparation:
With feet flat beneath bar, squat down and grasp bar with shoulder width or slightly wider overhand or mixed grip. Start with light weight to not only warm up but to determine what you are capable of lifting.
The addition of wrist straps can great improve your ability to perform multiple reps as well as more weight. If no straps are used, a mixed grip is a great way to grip the bar.
Start with 2 sets of 15 reps before moving into working weight.
Execution:
Lift bar by extending hips and knees to full extension, keeping the bar close to the body throughout the movement. Keep your back flat throughout the exercise and pull shoulders back being mindful not to round the shoulders. Also, keep knees pointing the same direction as your feet. Return and repeat.
The simplified version of the muscles used are:
The grip strength (finger flexors) and the lower back (erector spinae) work isometrically to keep the bar held in the hands and to keep the spine from rounding.
The gluteus maximus and hamstrings work to extend the hip joint.
The quadriceps work to extend the knee joint.
The adductor magnus works to stabilize the legs.
Core musculature remains braced to stabilize the spine.
A great body is…
A great body is the latest fashion accessory! The print ad that was shot during the video I posted yesterday. My all time favorite advertising photo shoot and the print ad ran in magazines in total hundreds of times. Thanks!
BTS For Ad Campaign
I have been having great fun with short videos and especially “behind the scenes” in my photo shoots. The idea for me comes from a series I had done for Bodybuilding.com for their ad campaigns promoting “BodySpace”. Then a new social media concept for fitness people that when I came into the picture had only 7,000 members and then grew to millions. That in turn helped grow the company to perhaps pushing towards a billion dollars of sales annually.
The videos were shot with a video crew and built around my photo shoots for the print and online advertising, features and content such as online wallpaper. The ads we produced are some of my all time favorites and appeared in magazines monthly for a long time. One of the print ads became a favorite for women, affixed to their refrigerator doors as fitness and workout motivation. I dare say the same ad was torn out and taped next to many a guy’s office wall or truck dashboard. So here is a favorite and watch for the “behind the scenes”.
BTS Like No Other
Behind the scenes in my photo shoot with Kerstin Schulze and Andrea Schulze in Palm Springs. They both live a lifestyle of health and fitness. Kerstin a long time fitness competitor and Andrea just walking away with her first competition trophies. Both 6ft tall and identical twins. Both gorgeous, fun, outgoing and both women to respect and admire in how they carry themselves in life. For now I will not tell you who is who, just for fun, because they are so very identical. I want to keep you guessing and intrigued lol!
The actual photos here on my Blog soon. The wonderful double duty Makeup styling by premier, world traveling, Estee Lauder artist Blanche LeBeau. The camera system up for this task is Hasselblad and the lighting by Broncolor. Nothing but the best! Thanks!
Just In Case
In case you forgot, one of my specialties is photographing incredibly gorgeous fit women. Way at the top of the list is the incredibly gorgeous and fit Sherry Goggin.
Contemplative
A bodybuilding pose begins between the ears. You can see it on his face. That is if you are going to do it right. Doug Brignole is one guy in bodybuilding and fitness who is widely known for doing it right. If there were a belt grade in bodybuilding as there is in martial arts, Doug would hold a black belt at the very highest level of the sport.
Photo shoot notes… Photographed with a Hasselblad digital camera system. Lighting with a Broncolor Para 133 reflector and a Broncolor Move 1200L pack for multiple exposures. Only the best!
Not Necessarily!
Not necessarily! Check out the bicep and shoulder in the mirror on Joanna Johnson. Now check out the weights she is using. You do not need to always use huge heavy weights to build an incredible physique. It is all about doing it right! Everyone is different. From our photo shoot, Thanks!
Photo shoot notes… Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle. Hasselblad digital camera system. Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
Gym Portrait
I think this is the one type of photograph I have shot more than any other. This “gym portrait” of my buddy Chris LaCascia was actually photographed for a multiple page brochure I was shooting for Bodybuilding.com. And it is one of my all time favorites. More gym portraits on my website at SecondFocus.com Thanks!
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