projectsgallery collection

this project required the same model shooting twice but with an entire different look.

the first shoot i wanted the model to look business like. the reason behind this is because it's actually easier and also helps the model to relax and for me to understand the model. shooting isn't without challenges. i had to collect various props to make it look right.

"the good" was a simple business look and i kept things simple. i shot this on white background with a simple black stool which matched the clothing and her style. the other reason for starting with "the good" is that it's easier to prepare and helped the model to relax and prepare what to do for "the bad"

"the bad" was actually more challenging that i thought. i originally wanted a full-scale goth-like bad-girl style but we decided to tone things down a little. collecting and preparing the props were actually more challenging than i had anticipated. i decided to use a red background and turned up the saturation to darken the area. i tried to use red items to blend into the background such as the plastic carltons. they are also used as opposite contrast to using a stool. the old getto blaster was perfect because it's retro yet mean looking. i had tried various props but most were distracting so decided to scale down to just having the beer bottles.

unfortunately we did not find a hair stylist so the model had to work on her own hair. overall the shoot went pretty well. i would like to re-shoot another similar theme but more dramatic approach in the near future.

this was my first longest project and i proud of everyone that had put effort into the work.

the idea of this project is to make the model appear to look like a doll inside a box.

the entire project took about three weeks. several days to build the set. the first week was planning and collecting the material needed. our original idea was to build a box using wood but decided to use cardboard instead because it was lighter and easier to acquire. the challenging part was finding a large enough cardboard box to build with. we finally found two box and put them together using lots of duct tape and glue.

the next challenge was what to wrap it with. originally we were going to use wrapping paper but thought it would look little plain so we used newspaper instead giving it a unique style. it took us several hours and lots of glue to paste the newspaper onto the box. we were glad we used newspaper instead because there are lots of raised area from duct tape and wrapping paper would not cover as well.

our next part was the stuffing. we though about using styrofoam packing peanuts but that would require a substantial amount and may not work out the way we wanted. we decided to use shreaded colour paper instead. we literally took pieces of colour paper and placed it through a paper shredder.

makeup was very critical and we are glad we had a MUA with the right skill. the model needed to look as artificial as possible yet show details clearly. the model had to hold the laugh because it would shift the makeup and also the photo would look odd. the look needs to be emotionless as possible.

the shooting process was tricky because there were lots of hidden angles needed to address otherwise deep shadows will occur. i had placed several additional flash around the box to cover shadow areas.

most kids like playing with balloons. but what if a grown-up is surrounded with balloons? this project to allow everyone to have a ball. the model is placed within a room full of balloons. this takes fun to a different level.

the project took an entire weekend. we filled the studio set (almost entire room) full of balloons. we needed the baloons to stay at three levels - top, centre and bottom. the top balloons we filled completely with helium which kept the balloons afloat. the centre balloons, we used part air, part balloon and the ones ont he floor is just air. the building process we all had a "ball" playing around and changing our voices.

once the balloons were in place, we had to gently move the model into position which was scary because some balloons were popped causing the model to jump popping more balloons. it was both frightening and mesmerizing being submersed in balloons.

lighting the area was a definite challenge because balloons easily cast reflection and glare. i had to use umbrellas and diffusers to help. because the model surrounded with balloons i had to place several portable flash underneath the balloons to rid of shadows.

the theme was to make everything look retro from clothing to makeup. the idea was inspired by both makeup artist and model. the shoot started typical sit and pose but quickly turned into an interactive photoshoot.

fortunately i had a variety of colours to choose from. we had considered red or white background but decided to use orange/yellow which we all beleive we made a good choice. the colour helped make the model "pop". the makeup artist helped by creating a retro look and using colours that won't blend into the background.

during the shoot, i wanted to do some standard pose but though i wanted this to look different by using existing props in the studio. the studio chairs turned out pretty good and i wanted the model to imagine enjoying a glass of wine minus the alcohol. the wine glass the model was holding was actually grape juice. another prop i used was my camera case. the colour was similar to the char and was solid enough for the model to stand on.

i really liked the photo results. the photos were sharp, colours were vivid and vibrant. most important we all had fun. i am still hungry to do more and have a wider variety of photos in the future in this area.

i was taught to frame my subjects when taking photos. i took this idea literally.

the idea started one day when i came across an abandoned photo frame. the idea clicked in when i noticed the objects behind it with the frame in the foreground. i took the frame home and cleaned it up and remodified it so it would stay in one piece.

when i first had a model try it, the model was a bit wary of what i wanted to do because it's such a strange idea. but after a few clicks and verifications, they understood the concept and played along. i tried with a variety of models from different height to sizes to even couples.

i find the frame to be a fun and interactive tool especially for new models entering the industry. i later tried with more experienced models and they too liked the idea.

i tried using different frame sizes but quickly realized it changes things a lot. my favourite was ones that are large because it gives lots of room to work with. location location location. that you might had heard before. i use the background to frame the frame and it also sets a tone for the model to work in. i tried from a park to downtown to the middle of the road. it's fun watching passerby's turn heads.

this project involved the model lying on floor covered with rose pedals.

it took over three full bags of fresh rose pedals to cover the flooring. the shots were only half body because we were not able to get anymore. as time went by, we noticed that some rose pedals began to shrivel and some changed colour. the temperature in the room most likely had an effect.

the model really liked this because it's like a dream and it's actually quite comfortable lying on a bed of rose pedals.

this area will require further expansion.

i wanted a variety of models to wear different hats. the problem was that i only have a limited selection and different type of hats will require a variety of clothing to match. this was not any new idea and was done many times by other photographers. i wanted to add something different to my portfolio.

portfolio under construction.

i had recently started working on this idea and still collecting enough images for posting. the idea is simple. what will you do with a model and a fan?
i wanted to have an image that will blow the viewer away. :)
the idea is very simple and many photographers had already done this. i just have not got a chance to do this and looking for an opportunity to have some fun.

there are many future projects i would like to work on.

here are just some ideas that i would like to try. if anyone is interested working on any, please let me know.