Selling ice cream

A busy day in Gdańsk with a market throughout the city and with that lots of people sight seeing and going through all the items and souvenirs. On a day like this there are loads of things happening on the street, maybe even to much. In contrast I noticed that the people manning the stands often had somewhat bored looks on their faces. As the market was already on for a couple of days the days undoubtedly for them grew somewhat monotonous especially when there are more people looking then buying. When I passed a wooden stand selling ice cream I saw this girl sitting down and talking to her girlfriend. I decided to approach her in my usual fashion, first a shake of the camera resulting in a surprised look on her face, she got up from her chair and asked the, why-and-for-what question. I explained in my best Polish resulting in an agrement. I actually wanted to record the scene I saw from the beginning, her sitting down, it might have worked if I quickly got a frame in without asking however I would have missed the change to interact with her and build up the moment. Sometimes the build up is just what you don’t want as it also gives people the time to become camera shy and/or uncomfortable. This time around though it worked out for the best she posed like a pro and didn’t seem disturbed by a stranger taking a picture of her. Again I shot a single frame and gave her my email address to claim the picture.

Couple in the park

When walking into the park I noticed a young couple sitting on a big boulder sitting together in a way only people in love can sit together. The only way I could have made that picture was by getting close which would mean disturbing the moment. So I chose to layback and walk around but keep my eye on them, waiting for a opening where I could capture the moment. After 30 minutes of waiting they left their stone and stared over the wall as though they were looking into their future. I sprinted back so I had the view point from the stone and snapped the frame.

Eastern sisters in Toruń

Walking the tourist filled street of Toruń I came acros these two girls promoting a new sushi bar in town. Doubting if it was just me seeing a pretty girl or that there was really a moment here worth recording I hung around just looking. Not being able to decide I thought it was best to take the picture anyway and doubt later. I approached the girl in the short attire, I asked her with a smile and somewhat broken Polish if I was allowed to take her picture, “But why?!”, she asked, “Because you look beautiful”, I answered in reflex. Doubt and shyness crept over her as she thought it over. Her sister in the mean time walked up and joined her. As I saw the moment happening I quickly added that they could go together on the photo. As two were stronger then one I was allowed to shoot. I shot one frame with my 40 year old Canonet and it was done. We chatted a little afterwards and I gave them my card so that they could clame their picture.

At the wine bar

I came across this girl while walking around in Toruń Poland. She’s a waitress at a place where you can taste wine (and drink coffee and eat cake and and etc etc). I walked past her noticing her sitting there smoking her sigarette in a way only women can smoke a sigaret. A bit intimidated by the scene I walked past and through the gate of the old city wall. Out by the road I sat on a boulder lying around being boulder. I motivated my self to walk back there and use by best Polish to convince here that having your portrait taken by someone you don’t know with a 40 year old camera is a good idea. Sufficed to say, I needed little convincing and I walked back before she could finish her sigarette. I used my best Polish and, what do you know, she agreed. I ducked down low next to a parked car and I shot the single frame which became this image.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coy – a nude study

Coy an artistic nude study

Coy

Finally after having it on my todo list for close to 8 years I did a nude shoot with a profesional model. I absolutely love artistic nudes but I found it to be somewhat intimidating to get into my self without having any experience what so ever. Ideally i thought it would be best to learn from an experienced photographer in the field by means of assisting on s couple of shoots. However that opportunity  never arose so at one point I decided to just go for it. I hired an experienced model (which was also a first) and planned a shoot.

Although I was very nervous on the day of the shoot I couldn’t wait to get started. The day before the shoot I decided to go online and collect works in the style and atmosfeer I like. This preparation payed of, on such first shoot you’re going to be nervous and being able to just show a set of 12 images to a model which visually explain the direction you want to go into is a lot easier then having to explain it verbally. I wasn’t planning on copying work (although i think there’s nothing wrong with that for learning purposes) it was merely to set the mood.

As the model got undressed I did a final check on the lighting equipment and made sure everything was in working order and roughly setup for the type of light I wanted. After that I switched the heating up a bit so my model wouldn’t be cold and feel uncomfortable. When she came we started up with a couple of simple standing shots. The first lesson I learned was that shooting a nude model really isn’t that much different from shooting a dressed person. When I’m shooting I’m fully focussed on the result, thinking about light, composition and of course keeping up rapport. Between my preparations and her professionalism we got of to a flying start. I found I could focus much more on the photo as I didn’t have to coach a nervous person intimidated by my camera.

As the marks on the skin left there by undergarment faded so did the remainder of my nervous. Ideas developed further and the images were getting better and better. Every now and then I offered my model to hand her the drink I pored  or if she was warm enough. No matter if I hire a model or working with a client I always try to make sure they are comfortable and treat them with respect, what you give you’ll get back. And it almost goes without saying but I never ever touch a model or client, not even to brush away a stray hair. If I can’t communicate something I lead by example, which obviously has let to hilarious moments. The shoot of that day was no different.

That days shoot turned out to be one of the most fun shoots I ever had. The model I was working with was interested and really joined in. So what did i learn from this experience? Lets sum it up:

  • Will I pay for a model again for my own creative outbursts? Definitely! First thing I did is ask when she would be available again.
  • Will I plan an artistic nude shoot again? For sure. When shooting cloth people I always prefer that there clothing is as neutral as possible, if not you just run the risk of the clothing stealing the attention from the person/expresion/character. Shooting nudes is wonderful, not only the shape but every edition you make in the form of a prop becomes stronger. But maybe even more important, it inspires and feels right.

Hope you enjoy the image as much as I enjoyed making it.

portrait photography

Back from vacation

Back from vacation and still mentally far away from The Netherlands. Made a short impression today

Margret

http://www.theodoorthomas.com

Me and my Bronica

Remote

Evelyn

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