Mikes Photography

creators · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject: Refining my technique.

Since I had the notion of putting on an exhibition of somewhat iconic glamour pictures, I have had to seriously look at what I've been doing and found all my pictures wanting in a number of ways. Firstly, backgrounds, if white or black, have got to be exactly that, apart from positional shadows (but no greys or pinks from bad lighting). Secondly, in creating super smooth skin I have neglected to keep the hair sharp, which is OK in the learning curve but not for exhibit and they have to look crisp not fuzzy generally, so some extra work is required to get everything looking smart. I hope I am getting there and C&C and/or suggestions would be most appreciated. Most of these are black and white because I have also been working on a stylistic lightening of Leah's hair and playing around with that.

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hil26 · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:58 am Post subject:

well its one way of keeping busy - LOL

What better way is there to do it.

Be sure to send invite to the exhibition, for I would like to be there for that first signed print.

Keith - I am amazed at some of the stuff that you can come up, styles, lighting - all great - Oh, and not forgetting that you do have some lovely models to work with.

Would also like to add a thank you for sharing them with us.
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Always in search of that magic moment

creators · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:43 am Post subject:

Thanks Dave, it certainly keeps me busy. It's funny because I am sickness retired and before that came about I used to wonder how people can retire and do nothing. That is unimaginable to me. I am a person who must do something and to do something I love is amazing.

I had a conversation recently with someone who works at Bath university doing film studies. She asked me if I felt I was drawing out some essential qualities of the models in the glamour shots. I had to say that, no, I don't think I am doing that at all. I am imposing my own ideas on the pictures, building on what is essentially there, but taking it somewhere else. My great inspiration is Marilyn Monroe, she became an iconic legend which was quite unrelated to her as a person and, in fact, it later emerged she was a very troubled person. It is debatable whether iconic beauty is a problem in society or whether it only becomes a problem when there is a huge corporate machine driving those real human beings. There is a tension in beauty, it does have a socially excluding aspect as any beautiful woman will tell you. I am aware of that tension, and that it is part of my own feelings and inspiration in creating the pictures I do.

It was an aspect of womanhood that feminism fought and rejected. I think they were wrong, that's like a form of censorship that fails to address the issues. It a subject of ongoing discussion here as Leah, Mirz and Ami have all experienced very real hostility, and occasional violence, chiefly from women, in social situations.

Having said all that, perhaps I am drawing out something rather than imposing, I am not sure. In doing the glamour shoot with Ami, at her request, what she wanted was a series of iconic pictures as does Mirz from the Tank Girl shoot she wants to do. It sure is fascinating.

Dave I shall certainly let you know as and when this all comes off and will be delighted to give you the first signed print.

Thank you for your kind comments.

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