Jana standing in the alley next to the children's museum looking incredible.
If you've been reading the blog for a while you probably know my Sunday ritual of walking around downtown with a camera just to see what's new and what's worth shooting. It's been a jam packed weekend so I didn't go solo, I met up with Jana and Chrystal at Little City Coffee House on Congress Ave. and we did a little walk around Second Street and Sixth Street. This is from the alley next to the Children's Museum. The last time they painted the walls green they did a few test strips on the wall no one looks at. I've been shooting the strips for a while and thought they made a nice background.
I mentioned my plans to a few of my photo-friends and they all volunteered to come along and help. Since when did street shooting, or art for that matter, become a team sport. I'm sure they had in mind some sort of assisting role like holding a reflector (which I did not bring) or helping to set up lights (the I did not bring) or perhaps chipping in with witty chit chat and wise guy banter (which I did not need but brought buckets of anyway).
I really can't think of many things more disconcerting for a model than trying to maintain a fun rapport with one 50 year old photographer much less a gaggle of them. If I wanted a bunch of people tagging along as I shot a model for our mutual portfolios I would announce a workshop and get these eager guys to ante up some cash.
I did a quick post processing of one image out of about 300 and I'm really happy with it. I can hardly wait to get busy on the other images. It's fun to find a model who: A. Shows up on time. B. Is witty, charming and seems to be able to read your mind about how you'd like her to pose. C. Brings a friend of equal model potential, just for fun.
I worked with a modern camera and a short, fast telephoto zoom lens. No lights, no modifiers. We accomplished what we set out to do. We had fun and we made photos that both of us liked. That's the best you can hope for on any Sunday afternoon.
On the way home I bought a really great bottle of Riesling and four walnut brownies from Whole Foods. Belinda made some Pad Thai and we kicked back. Nice way to slide into Summer. More Jana images to come during the week. Stay tuned.
Thanks, Kirk
5 comments:
Great eyes and love the dof! Group photography, funny story.
Yeah I always thought street was a lone venture. On that rare opportunity when I find enough time to make my way out of the burbs and walk Congress or 6th I feel like the only person in the world that would do such a thing. Your a popular guy Kirk.
> I've been shooting the strips for a while and thought they made a nice background.
And indeed they do! What a great shot.
> I really can't think of many things more disconcerting for a model than trying to maintain a fun rapport with one 50 year old photographer much less a gaggle of them.
Hehe - wonderful comment, and exactly my thoughts. You have an advantage here - you are well known for the quality of your photos, while I still have to gain that much trust. And at 53, a start isn't that easy anymore ;-)
> C. Brings a friend of equal model potential, just for fun.
If you want to show us more of Jana, do you have a good one of Chrystal as well?
I was thinking of you during my own Sunday walk btw, because of your swim shots. I ran into a soccer game of the local SV Rot-Weiss Mörfelden vs. SV Victoria Preußen 07 Frankfurt jouth clubs, so I asked the club authorities whether it was ok to take some pictures. They said yes, and so I had the opportunity to shoot my very first soccer game ever.
All shot with a modern camera ;-) (ok, I'll tell it - it was the Olympus E-520 with the longer of the two kit zooms, the 40-150mm f4-5.6).
18 photos at http://picasaweb.google.de/wjlonien/Soccer?feat=directlink
Just in case anyone here is interested. And of course I could never "compete" with your swim shots.
cheers,
Wolfgang
Can you please have Belinda post the Pad Thai recipe?
Thanks!
I am really glad you are having fun Kirk :)! keep up with the positive vibes and the beautiful photos!
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