Fun in the Fields

Had another two shoots canceled at short notice. One was within hours, the other 48 hours. The latter was genuinely unavoidable and I will rebook, when she’s fully recovered. 

Within an hour, Silvai got in touch, wanting to shoot, on Thursday, thus filling my postponement.  

Given the pandemic and COVID’s perpetual mutations, I’m swerving studio settings but happy with location-based work. Given the weather was fair, she wanted to revisit the yellow field theme, which had been rained off twelve days previously.  

As usual, she was impeccably prepared and ready to shoot. She'd also brought an additional outfit for a different backdrop, which we were able to fit in. As before, she was impeccably presented, posed seamlessly and had a very clear idea of what she wanted from our time. 

I was also saddened, but not surprised to learn that she’d been receiving inappropriate messages and communications from “photographers” on the networking sites. Thankfully these allow users to report and block inappropriate people. However, there are always those that slip through the net. 

Two hours well spent and before the rains came.  

 

Socially Distanced with Silvai

Silvai is a young model who approached me in the context of a beach-based bikini shoot. Thorough pre-shoot communications have always been a must. However, the pandemic has added further checks and measures.  Having established mutual vigilance and therefore, minimal risk to each other, we worked on shoot plans and locations. 

Beaches aren’t usually problematic, so long as you select a suitable space and are sensitive to those around you. Discrete changing and shooting spaces are the most obvious considerations. The ability to shoot fast is another definite plus but as with street photography, if your body language is confident, most people will keep a respectful distance.  

Silvai was thoroughly prepared beforehand, and we quickly found three backdrops where we would not be disturbed, and the gentle throng of families wouldn’t be offended.  Though sunny, 8 degrees Centigrade precluded her emerging from the sea, a ’la Ursula Andress in Dr. No but in warmer weather, would’ve been a perfect conclusion.    

Silvai has three years modelling experience but also a unique, quirky sense of fun, which really brought our shoot to life-from the very first frame.  I was struck by how intuitively and seamless her posing was. Nothing formulaic, she clearly understood her own physicality and which angles would prove most flattering. She was equally receptive to direction over the course of our two-hour shoot. I was relieved to hear she’s delighted with the results and would readily work with her in future.     

 

 

All Welcome in The House of God…

Except possibly, the photographer…Yes, I can recount stories of wedding photographers, arriving at the church, only to find themselves barred surly clergy.

During our last shoot, Krystal expressed an interest in a gothic church/graveyard theme. I knew just the place. However, research, planning and forward preparation are crucial to success.

So, as you should, when purchasing residential property, I took a few trips at various times, assessing whether we were likely to attract the wrong sort of attention. Discretion is the better part of valour-conflict with and distress to, others are ideally, avoided. 

Location sussed and agreed, we arrived at 11am. “They’re Coming to Get You Barbara” we mused, referring to the classic line from George A Romero’s “Night of The Living Dead” 

Regardless of time/season, this location is very eerie.There’s a very real sense of being watched. While evaluating the best place for Krystal to change, a young, modestly dressed woman materialised. She appeared to be engaged, on her phone but intuition told us, she was observing and moreover, taking snapshots of us.

I looked her in the eye, acknowledging her with a nod. She smiled, and a few moments later, Krystal emerged from the trees. From that point on, we were left to our own devices, although that sensation of being watched never relented. As I’ve said in previous entries, public shoots are double edged swords.

On the one hand, completely transparent. There’s no suggestion of theft/criminal damage. Conversely, it can attract the wrong sort of attention. Krystal and I have worked together many times. An easy rapport certainly helps. Within 30minutes, we’d got the results we’d hoped for and moved on, to other locations. Next on her shoot list is a fairground/carousel theme.

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