New studio lights

My lights arrived this week, just in time for all the new babies that I have to photograph. However I did need to test these new lights as they are a bit stronger than the previous ones and I didn't want to waste time getting the right settings when there were babies waiting. They tend to have a very short window of opportunity to photograph and I want to make the most of every minute. So we put a call out for model to help me test the lights and two lovely ladies answered the call.

 The day was not without it's frustrations, none of my remote triggers are fast enough to work with my camera and my lights, they creates a nasty delay that ruins the images, so I am having to remained teathered to one of the lights at least until I find myself a better wireless trigger. That will take a bit of getting used to but it's not an impossible situation. I only *almost* pulled the lights over once :) Thanks Mel for being there to catch them, I would have been devasted if I broke my new set on the first try out.

One of the models arrived carrying her 11 week old baby and you just know I couldn't resist inviting the baby into the shoot as well. Young Arabella was an awesome wee model, just like her mum and I enjoyed having them to photograph. Today I have two more babies all going well, so there will be lots to write about tonight. That is if I am finished with all the processing that will need to be done. It's one of the downsides of taking lots of photos.

Trentham Fireworks Fantastic

It has been a few years now since I last attended the Trentham Fireworks Fantastic and I was somewhat disappointed in this time. There were no live performances like there used to be, just music videos on the big screen and Stu from The Breeze keeping us all entertained. It felt somewhat lacking in the entertainment side.

There were the usual showground rides for the kids and they seem to be very popular with queues to some of the rides being quite long, and of course the fast food caravans that always seem to be busy. The crowds were not there as early as I remember either, with most arriving within the last 40 mins or so before the big event.

This year one of our Camera Club members had arranged for us to be in a people free zone to photograph the fireworks, which was really cool. We had to sign in when we arrived and were issued with hi-vis jackets and pointed to the area where we could set up. There was even seating which was great for waiting for the fireworks. It was funny how members of the public assumed we were someone official wearing the jackets because we were asked all sorts of questions... "Where are the toilets?", "What time does it start?", "Is there an EFTpos machine anywhere?" We answered what we could and they seem to leave happy.

When the fireworks started I got a huge fright! They always start off with a huge explosion and flames and every time it gets me, even when I am expecting it to happen. This time it was worse because we were so close to it. The area we were in was INSIDE the safety barriers! It was probably a bit too close really, as every time they let one off the ground shook and with it the tripod and camera. Not a whole lot we could do about that. I am not terribly excited about my images this time round, I think I could have done better but with only 15 minutes of continuious fireworks there is not a whole lot of time to play around with settings.

There seemed to be a lot more white fireworks than in the past too, which makes it hard to expose correctly. The coloured displays are much easier to get right. Next year I think I might try from the back of the crowd and hopefully the bright whites won't be quite so bright as they were last night.

Regardless of how the images look, and what was lacking in the event I still had a good time. Meeting up with a bunch of other people from the club was fun and made it more of a social event too. I will most definitely be back next year for another shot at it.

 

Sadie Von Scrumptious

I just love the names the girls have chosen as their burlesque names. Phoenix Flame and Sadie Von Scrumptions are both names that not only suit them but leave the imagination thinking all sorts of things. Tantilising the mind with their teasing sounds - exactly what the burlesque aims to do. I love the variety of costumes that we have had to play with during the two photoshoots I have done with these two. Everything from prim and proper to wild and sexy. Sadie with her lingerie and innocence and Phoenix with her... well just herself !  The images that I have shown you all here are but the tip of the iceberg - short of putting an adult rating on this blog I just can't show them all. Trust me when I say they were a whole lot of fun and very successful.

A big part of what makes this type of photoshoot work so well is that the models are relaxed and comfortable. They are both known to be personally in other circles and while Phoenix is an old hand at being in front of the camera, Sadie is still very new and unsure of herself. As much time is taken to help the models relax and be comfortable with their surroundings as there is during the actual shoot itself. A wise lady once said to me that if you don't look after your models, you won't get the images you want - and it's true!

Both Sadie and Phoenix attend burlesque dance classes locally, each time I see them they have learnt something new. Phoenix is getting to be quite the accomplished pastie (tassle) twirler! She even makes them herself! I have seen it for myself, and of course photographed it, but unfortunately those images won't appear here.

Sadie enjoys the retro look and is often tracking down new websites to source items of clothing from. My new suitcase - a trademe purchase - fitted in perfectly with her outfit for these photos.

Phoenix Flame

A few more from Saturday's shoot. Enjoy!

Corsets and tutus... ooh lala!

 I am not sure which has been more fun, shooting these images of processing them. I didn't realise just how many costume changes they had in that short space of time - until I saw just how long it took. The whole afternoon seemed to go so fast but it in fact we played dress-ups for four hours! My models are going to be very pleased with the results I am sure.

After the fiasco with the strobe lights my husband and I decided it was time to go shopping. I do so love shopping online :) My old lights have lasted me many years so it isn't so hard to realise that they have probably done more than they were desinged to do. I bought cheap and struck it lucky - I am hoping this time I am just as lucky. I have ordered a new set of lights but these ones are a higher wattage than the previous ones and are probably more suited to the work I do. I can't wait for them to arrive now so I can try them out.

Which leaves me with a sad old set that still has a little life left in them. So if anyone is interested in them, and perhaps has the know-how to repair them make me an offer. They come with a stand each, 75w modeling light and 110w flash. As I said the cycling time has slowed right down on them - anything up to a minute between shots.

Faces

Two burlesque beauties (not the three that were expected) and lots of hats, feathers, masks and one photographer with a camera. That was the recipe we used today for a fun photoshoot. We had so many plans but when we got started things just didn't go right. My studio lights are several years old now, and when I bought them they were probably the bottom of the range - or cheap and nasty. They have done so well for so many years I am really disappointed that they didn't make the grade today. Their cycle time is getting slower and slower so there was often a long pause between shots.

We may not have had the perfect working studio set up but that didn't stop us. For the first half of the shoot I was concentrating on face shots. Both of these girls have such pretty faces and I wanted to get some really good  close up shots. We also played with some masks that I had found at the local pharmacy of all places. I am getting quite the collection of props for these shoots, our spare bedroom is turning into a very large wardrobe!

 

From the archives

I don't have a lot of new stuff to show you at the moment as I didn't get out much over the weekend. Now that daylight savings has started I may get the chance to get out in the evenings a bit more with the camera providing the weather is better than it currently it. Tonight's images were shot during the 2009 PSNZ Central Regional Convention - almost a year ago now hence the title 'From the archives'. They are just random shots of the models we had at the con. This years regional convention is going to be held in Levin in a couple of weeks time. Unfortunately I won't be attending this year.