The Monochromatic Edge Project

There was a time I considered B&W imagery far too simplistic and limited.  I don’t know about you, but my world is a veritable kaleidoscope of color in hues rich and subtle.  An endless variety of shade, tone, saturation & intensity.  Why would anyone ever choose to ignore that wondrous rich palette in favor of simplistic, limited and boring monochrome?
Completely unthinkable…

I blame the arrogant surety of youth.  It takes time to learn precisely how much one is ignorant of, and more time yet to admit it out loud.  As for wisdom?  I claim none, but happily - or perhaps sadly – the arrogance of youth no longer haunts my.  Every day I find I am more and more unsure of anything at all.  I no longer make blank assumptions or statements.  Hell, some days I can’t even remember to make sure my socks match or remember why wearing them might be a good idea….

Welcome to The Monochromatic Edge, the B&W project I swore I would never do…

Concept/Intentions

I want to create an exceptionally ambitious collection of imagery that will reach out, grab the viewer and shake said viewer by the scruff of the neck.

I intended every image to provoke an emotional response – joy, sorrow, grief, pain, fear, despair, humor, something – in each and every viewer.  I decided the best approach to achieving this lofty goal is to dial back the noise – that kaleidoscope of color I mentioned earlier - in favor of the utter clarity of Black and White simplicity.  In other words, to focus the viewer’s attention on the sharp edge of life that Black & White imagery captures so ably.

Towards that end, I wish to work with talented individuals (both in and out of the modeling community) to create and document specific “Moments” designed to provoke my viewers into responding…

Model Requirements

This project is open to males, females, children, cats, dogs and other family members – in short anyone may participate. 

Adult participants must sign my Model Release and provide a copy of their state issued photo ID for my records.  A similar Model Release for minors must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.  Also, a copy of said parent’s/guardian’s state issued photo ID must be provided for my records.

Parents/Legal guardians must accompany minor children under 15 years of age while shooting.  Parents/Guardians are welcome, but not required, to accompany minor children 16 years of age & older while shooting.

The "N" Word:  Nudity

Some “Moments” captured for The Monochromatic Edge Project  will require nudity.  Please note I said “Some” and NOT “All” scenes.  Any scenes requiring nudity will be discussed fully prior to scheduling a session…

Compensation

I am conducting The Monochromatic Edge Project as a Trade Shoot:

Models will receive up to 10 fully edited image files of their choice in both full-size print ready & low resolution web display formats, to use as they see fit.

Non-models get the same deal, but may elect to schedule a family (or other) portrait session instead.

Location

Location is a variable that will change from session to session.  Playgrounds, City Parks, State Parks, a back alley, the odd corn or bean field, your own home, a motel room – just depends on what specific “scene” we are working on when we shoot. 

Miscellaneous

I am primarily an “Available Light” photographer, though I do occasionally use speed lights, light modifiers & the occasional reflector from time to time. 

My schedule is annoyingly open at present, so I am absolutely able to accommodate your busy schedule. 

Experienced and first time models both are welcome to participate.  You may be assured I will work with you to capture the best possible images and make the experience as fun as possible. 

A Few Possible Scenarios:

Family Oriented:  Paying the Bills, Family Picnic, The BBQ Party

Issue Oriented:  Street People, Days End, Jumper

Couple Oriented:  Walkabout, Engagement, Jealousy

Scenes completed so far:  The Morning After…, Serial Killer…, Bad Boy, Inc.

Escort Policy

Models are welcome to bring a companion/escort along for moral support, costuming assistance, protection (whatever) as long as I’m told in advance.  Surprise me with an unexpected guest and the session will be cancelled immediately.  I hate surprises…

Please note:  I have zero tolerance for high school drama on my shoots.  I go into each and every session with the full expectation that I am working with adults fully capable of discussing any and all issues that may arise.  Name calling, threats of violence and similar nonsense will result in the session's immediate termination and the deletion of all images taken to that point.  If necessary, I will call the police and press charges to the full extent allowable under the law.

Got a question I didn’t cover here? Want to schedule your session? Hit me with a message.  I’m here, camera at the ready... 

…and - - - Go!

Toppers

I’ve got plenty of very serious Photo Projects.  This is not that.  Welcome to Toppers, a project dedicated to the simple proposition that hats are fun!  And Photographing folks having fun with hats is even more so.   Join me, won’t you?

Concept/Intentions

I’ve been shooting models a few years now, and I’ve enjoyed each & every session.  I count myself fortunate to have worked with so many talented individuals.  If any of my models are reading this now, I thank you directly.  You’ve brought a great deal of joy into my life. 

Sometimes there was a hat, either wardrobe or prop.  Not always, but with fair frequency.  As time passed I began to notice that those images with a hat seemed to strike me as “a bit more special” than those without.  While I always edit my model’s selected images first, in the order he/she preferred, when I got to my own selections, those including a hat almost always got Priority status..

Then one day a light bulb burst into flame overhead & Toppers was born, full fleshed & ready to dance.

A series of portraits – fine & casual – featuring people wearing all manner of headgear seemed a good idea.  I decided to give it a go and see what came of it…

"What are my intentions," you ask?  First and foremost I want to have fun creating some wonderful images. 

Will I publish the series?  Possibly, but at this point, I simply don’t know.  If I do publish, it will most likely be in book form or perhaps as a calendar.  Should the Project prove popular enough, other formats & opportunities may present themselves for consideration…

As for content, let's just let our imaginations roam a bit.  Ever dreamed of being a Pro Athlete, complete with helmet or ball cap?  A Cowboy with a Stetson?  A Southern Belle in a floppy hat?  How about a Private I ala Bogey?  A Femme Fatale in a veiled pill box?  A Surgeon or Nurse, maybe a Candy Striper?  A Rockette, a Chef, or Indian Chief?  With imagination - and the right hat - the sky's the limit...

Model Requirements

This project is open to males, females, children, cats, dogs and other family members – in short anyone may participate so long as that individual is wearing a hat.... 

I will require a signed model release for every participant, as well as a copy of the subject's State Issued Photo ID for my records.  Just in cast the project does gain enough traction for publication - in whatever form.

Parents/Legal guardians must accompany minor children under 16 years of age while shooting.  Parents/Guardians are welcome, but not required, to accompany minor children 16 years of age & older while shooting.

Wardrobe

Wardrobe requirements are simple.  Participants must wear a hat.  It can be a fedora, bowler, cowboy hat, floppy brimmed sun hat, stocking cap, top hat, football/motorcycle helmet, ball cap, flap hat or beanie.  Style or type of hat is unimportant.

As far as other wardrobe goes – you know, that part below the hat – use your imagination.  Be as conservative or as outlandish as you like.  Want to wear a business suit with your Fedora, Top Hat or Motorcycle Helmet?  Go for it.  Jeans, shorts, dresses, slacks, miniskirt/blouse, swimwear – whatever LOOK you favor with your hat is welcome.

The "N" Word:  Nudity

If you’re comfortable shooting in the buff, I’m certainly willing.  I can visualize several tasteful nude as well as implied implied shots in which all the “important” bits are hiding behind an appropriately placed Helmet, Floppy brimmed sunhat or Fedora. 

Compensation

I am conducting Toppers  as a Trade Shoot:

Anyone participating in the project have their choice of receiving up to 10 fully edited image files of their choice in both full-size print ready & low resolution web display formats, to use as they see fit.

Alternatively, participants may elect to schedule a 2nd photo shoot, of equal duration and of their own design at a later date.  Whatever you want to shoot - be it a unique Family Portrait session, Boudoir or Pinup images for yourself or Significant Other, even a special event such as a child's Birthday Party, Christening or Family Reunion.  (Weddings are excluded, mostly cuz I can't charge enough to make shooting them palatable.)

Location
Location is a variable that will change from session to session.  Playgrounds, City Parks, State Parks, a back alley, the odd corn or bean field, your own home, a motel room – just depends on what specific “scene” we are working on when we shoot.

Miscellaneous

I am primarily an “Available Light” photographer, though I do occasionally use speed lights, light modifiers & the occasional reflector from time to time.

In all fairness, let me also state that I am a completely shameless Photoshopper.  I just cannot resist the urge to "make a good story better" with a few tweaks here and there.  Just because we shot in a basement or in front of a corn field doesn't necessarily mean that's what the photo will display.  Or it might, depending...

My schedule is annoyingly open at present, so I am absolutely able to accommodate your busy schedule. 

Experienced and first time models both are welcome to participate.  You may be assured I will work with you to capture the best possible images and make the experience as fun as possible. 

Escort Policy

Models are welcome to bring a companion/escort along for moral support, costuming assistance, protection (whatever) as long as I’m told in advance.  Surprise me with an unexpected guest and the session will be cancelled immediately.  I hate surprises…

Please note:  I have zero tolerance for high school drama on my shoots.  I go into each and every session with the full expectation that I am working with adults fully capable of discussing any and all issues that may arise.  Name calling, threats of violence and similar nonsense will result in the session's immediate termination and the deletion of all images taken to that point.  If necessary, I will call the police and press charges to the full extent allowable under the law.

Got a question I didn’t cover here? Want to schedule your session? Hit me with a message.  I’m here, camera at the ready...

…and - - - Go!

American Postcards Project

Once upon a time, long before Hefner came along with his magazine and bestowed all sorts of "social respectability" on pictures of nekkid ladies, there were these things called

French Postcards:  Single image cards proudly showcasing nekkid ladies in all their glory. 

The images were harshly lit.  Quite often they were poorly composed.  No two cards were ever uniform in size or finish.  The women featured were “real,” complete with curves and rolls and sags and all manner (by today’s standards) of flaws and NOT some fashion designers' notion of anorexic beauty. They rarely smiled.

They were magnificent!

Concept

American Postcards is inspired by those French Postcards of yesteryear, but is intended to be a unique, eclectic even, look at “Today’s Woman.” 

By ‘eclectic’ I mean the Collection will be greatly varied in appearance. There will be “classic” figure studies, multiple genres, lighting styles & editing techniques. I anticipate including Artistic, Implied and Partial Nudes as well as Glamour, Editorial & Pinup Nudes. The imagery will be largely Black & Whites, with a few sepia toned and full color captures included as well.

Intentions / Goals

I intend my Collection to be flirty, fun, edgy, somber, moving, humorous, and if I do my job right, thought provoking as well. I want the viewer to see beauty as being more about confidence, attitude & self respect than size, shape or even color.

When complete, I will be publishing the Collection, initially in book & calendar form, but also as Gallery-quality prints available for purchase. If the Powers That Be are kind, I hope to see my work featured in a Gallery or two. One day, if I live that long...

Model Requirements

1. Models must be of legal age to contract in their own name & provide a copy of their State Issued Photo ID for my records.

2. Models must sign my model release allowing publication of the images we create;

3. Models will be posing nude, though not necessarily fully exposed to view.

There are no other requirements. All women are welcome to participate. None of you are too old, too

heavy, too thin, too pierced, too inked, too pale, or too anything else.

You are Woman. You are Beauty. You are welcome. Come roar with me!

Session Locations

I anticipate shooting in a variety of locations both indoors and out, including but not limited to motel rooms, basements, the occasional photo studio, farms, industrial parks, woods, corn fields, back alleys, & even my subjects' homes.

Variety is a key element to the Project.

Wardrobe / Exposure

This is a nude project. Wardrobe is NOT a large concern, however, I do plan to include a few implied, partial & lingerie nudes in the Collection. Models should expect to be working nude, though full exposure to the camera lens may be limited by artful use of props, clothing, draping and positioning.

I do request all models remove any clothing with elastic at least an hour before we shoot. It takes that long for elastic marks to disappear from the skin. Bras, socks, panties, sweat pants – even some watch bands – can leave impressions/marks on the skin. For best results, your skin should be clear of all such impressions, as unmarked by externals as can reasonably be managed.

Also, I suggest bringing a robe to slip into between shots and during breaks.

Miscellaneous

I do not have a studio. I enjoy the challenge of shooting in varied environments and conditions. If you're expecting a typical studio session, this ain't where that happens...

In that same vein, I do not employ “studio lighting.” I don't have any. I do use a pair of speedlights with wireless triggers quite often, with & without a variety of modifiers to soften, broaden, and yes, restrict their output. The advantage in portability and cost effectiveness works for me.

I employ Photoshop in my editing freely and without shame. Purists may decry that as being unworthy or somehow soiling the capture, but I find it to be a most effective tool in fleshing out my “vision.” You see the results posted in the images I've shared in this blog. Decide for yourself...

Compensation

The American Postcards Project is being conducted as a Trade Shoot. Participants may choose one of two compensation options.

Option 1: Participants will receive their choice of 10 fully edited Anonymous Nude image files (in full size printable and low resolution web display formats) to include in their portfolio and/or use for self promotion;

Option 2: Participants may instead choose to schedule a second photo shoot of equal duration, the results of which will be theirs to do with as they see fit. The type of shoot is entirely up to you. Family portraits, fashion, editorial, swimsuit – whatever you want. I will include editing of up to 10 image files as part of the deal.

Escort Policy

Models are welcome to bring a companion/escort along for moral support, costuming assistance, protection (whatever) as long as I’m told in advance.  Surprise me with an unexpected guest and the session will be canceled on the spot. I hate surprises…

Please note I have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to “high school drama” on my shoots.  I go into each and every session with the full expectation that I am working with adults fully capable of discussing any and all issues that may arise.

Sadly, I have had session in which escorts have resorted to name calling, threatened violence & similar nonsense. The “Sluggo Effect” I call it. Be assured such behavior will result in the session's immediate termination. All images captured to that point will be deleted. Actual violence will result in the Police being summoned, charges being pressed, and if I have any say in the matter at all, a guilty verdict with as much jail time as allowed by Law.

Got a question I didn’t cover here? Want to schedule your session? Hit me with a message.  I’m here, camera at the ready waiting on you...