On The Waterfront...With Aurora Ray

 No, not the iconic film with Marlon Brando. I’m referring to an evening quayside shoot with Aurora Ray, in Ipswich. I responded to a casting call and we corresponded for a few weeks.  Ideas, concepts and possible locations floated and pondered.

Ipswich is approximately an hour or so’s drive from me, but a town I hadn’t visited for almost three decades. Even then, I was only familiar with the Portman Road area, home to the football club and infamously, a red-light district.

Thankfully, Aurora had excellent local knowledge, which complemented her creative vision.

Little surprise that I leaped at the suggestion of Graffiti and disused quayside buildings…Sunset this time of year, is around 18.45, so we arranged to meet an hour beforehand.

Having successfully orbited the town centre systems during rush hour, I was relieved to discover a car park within easy reach of the quayside. We’d agreed to meet by the University, opposite. Chances were, we’d be wrapped up within an hour or so. However, I’ve an aversion to fines, so fed the meter a little more.

This early in the academic year, you could feel a real sense of anticipation and a generally positive atmosphere from the halls of residence. One that certainly resonated with me, some 26 years since I arrived in London’s East End, fresh faced and decidedly green.

There’s always one student who stands out. In this instance, one losing command of his trousers, while exiting his car. Shortly afterward, a text arrived-Aurora saying she was a few minutes away. She materialised carrying a cluster of red helium balloons and extruding enthusiasm.

Camera bag, reflector and energy-boosting bananas grasped, I locked the KA and Aurora led me along the waterside, with its eclectic mix of bars and restaurants. Their neon signage more intense, as the golden hour loomed. Our first location was a long disused and very derelict factory.

Several stories high, ground floor access points had been sealed and the usual warnings emblazomed across the boards.  She switched from her light summer dress and I fired a few tester shots. The alley, though clearly a street drinker’s refuge, was also moderately trafficked and relatively well lit, which was ideal, in every respect.

One man had my senses screaming with alarm. I was concerned he might attempt to snatch one, or both of our bags. Luckily, he quickly lost interest and shuffled through, without further interaction.  

Aurora has a classic model figure and knew her body well, thus created and moved seamlessly between poses, making the very most of available time and light. Checking the area for broken glass and other sharps, she posed on the pallets, which accentuated her poise and willowy figure.

The next street had these corrugated shutters. I was pleasantly surprised by driver cooperation and sensitivity. Many stopping and seemingly alarmed that they’d interrupted us. Not something you’d experience in a major city, or provincial towns for that matter.

A skate park fired our imaginations, but we opted in favour of a towpath, which also had some very striking and genuinely beautifully crafted murals. The sort so revered, they are left unmolested, by taggers and local authority environmental teams alike. 15 minutes later and the golden hour was almost gone but by this point, we had 80 shots. A short but successful evening…

Delight in Decay Some Shoots with Krystal J

Models and derelict buildings are a contrast I have always enjoyed. I moved to London’s East End in 1992. A time, when the landscape was littered with derelict factories, warehouses and indeed, domestic dwellings. Long gone now.

I discovered a mutual love of the derelict (and indeed, the area’s more characterful pubs) during some earlier studio and location shoots, with Krystal.  While out, on other missions I noted several locations in the Harwich area. We agreed they’d be particularly good settings for a PVC/latex themed shoot.

Being well versed in the legalities and related considerations, both parties knew we needed to work quickly. All three locations were quite exposed, which has some very definite pros and cons. 

First and foremost, it's pretty obvious what you are doing.  Suggestions of theft, vandalism, breaking and entering/similar wrongdoing can be ruled out.

The derelict petrol station forecourt being a prime example. Several police patrol cars and a steady stream of rubbernecking office workers passed us. Most slowed, out of curiosity-including the Police. However, no-one stopped, or interfered.

Conversely, some seclusion is required, for discreet changing/model modesty. Rapport between model and photographer also must be “on point”; So, the desired images can flow seamlessly. Depending upon the location, there are other, environmental factors to bear in mind.

Abandoned properties can have their share of danger. Nails, needles, asbestos and unofficial residents, metal thieves- being but a few. Oh, and if you are asked to leave, smile a lot and comply. The law of trespass is difficult to enforce. Criminal damage tends to be the default avenue.

Krystal brought three dresses and we spent around 30 minutes, at each of these locations.       

While out on a ride, I noted a farm house had been recently boarded up, with no sign of activity, during subsequent fly-pasts. Krystal was keen to model a vintage tea dress, so this seemed a surreal, although thought provoking backdrop.

Arriving on the day, there were signs that the property and grounds are still very much in use. A row of older cars and agricultural equipment lay equally dormant. No sign of other life, or mercifully, any bull.  

We only wanted to use the immediate frontage and exterior farm buildings. Not least, since the sun was very intense. I slipped the f stop to 1.8 and the shutter speed to around the 4000/5000 mark. 

I seldom stray away from full manual control.However, in those contexts where you need to move quickly, or lighting is very changeable. There is an argument, for selecting aperture priority and letting the camera decide the others.  

We moved to another location, for a quick retro phone box shoot. Then Krystal spotted a retro garage forecourt. I approached the garage owners, who were only too delighted to indulge us.  The copyright for these images, belongs to Stenning Photographic (Michael Stenning). However, prints may be purchased from my site. https://michael-stenning.format.com/#1