Self-Portraits

With this project I am working on, an assistant is pretty much mandatory. Since I am working with a low-tech camera, there is no auto advance. In addition, the places I am shooting at are not exactly danger-free. It's been a challenge finding someone to help me between day availability and type of person assisting. For me, my assistant needs to be neutral in opinion of content for the most part. I do take some suggestions but for the most part, I just need the technical aspect dealt with. At the risk of sounding sexist, I prefer a male assistant for that safety factor. Someone with a sense of humor and a sense of adventure helps as well. I've tried getting local students but most have been flaky. My husband assists me when possible but that forces me into a one-day-a-week shoot. Right now, I am eager to re-shoot an idea. I have the time but he nor anyone else does.

On a good note, this project is going fairly smoothly even if the progress is a bit slow for me. If I haven't written about it yet, I plan to create a book through Blurb.com. Originally, I was only going to make one of the Rabbitholes and Revelations series, but thought about the cost of the book and decided to make the book of a collection of images that work together from the outdoor nudes, to some of the art history images, rabbitholes and then the new stuff. Perhaps by the Fall, I will have it put together and published.

Now to just get back out there shooting.....

A magical turn of events

When I woke yesterday morning, I was prepared to go it alone location scouting/shooting. I was a bit frustrated with the harsh sun but was determined to find somewhere that the light was subdued. As I was prepping my equipment, a light went off in my mind - a male model that I use occasionally is the adventurous sort and has found several fitting locations for me in the past, plus I knew he had the summers off. I gave him a call and sure enough, he was available and knew of an area that he thought I would like. Like? I LOVED it. I am noticing with the Holga that I need to have more exaggerated light though, so I think when I am in a darker area next time, I will bring alone a flash. My Holga has a hotshoe for a non-dedicated one which I have. Still, I think these 2 images work. I may go back to do more shooting as there were more areas to explore. I should do it before the building is torn down, too....

2 new images

My model C came through for me once again. We've been having odd weather this summer - so...much....rain! However, bright sunshine is far worse for shooting in so I had to wait for an overcast day that didn't threaten torrential downpours. Not only did I have to wait, but C had to be at the ready, which is tough for any model to be. Well, I have 2 successful images from that day:





Today, I am going to either scout out locations or attempt a shoot on my own. Not sure how feasible that is, but will try. Although the sun is shining, I should have no problem finding shade.

Blurb here I come

My first book - self-published anyway. I am turning Rabbitholes and Revelations into a table top book. It's costly so I will be printing only one up right now but Blurb puts it on their site and people can purchase copies and I get 100% profit. I am really looking forward to this. Very exciting! I will more than likely purchase an ISBN number but right now, first things first. Will keep everyone posted on when it's complete.

Mr. Colin Ford

Today I met with British author and photo historian Colin Ford. A nice gentleman who was nice enough to make time to see me and look at my work. I brought a few of my outdoor nudes, my whole "Rabbitholes..." series and whatever new work I have. As he warned me, he said he wasn't able to do a whole lot for me though he seemed to like my work. I asked him if he would be able to write something about my work when his plate isn't so full (he is curating 3 exhibits, one in Hungary). He said he couldn't agree to it right now because of how busy he is. I understand. His main advice is - what I have been hearing - to keep doing what I am doing.

Yes. Since 1995-ish, I have not stopped photographing. I won't stop now, especially with this project I am on. It is frustrating, though. A dramatic analogy - I feel a little like an adorable stray puppy that lots of people are passing up saying "you are sooo cute, but unfortunately, I can't take you home". I will still wag my tail, show the big eyes and stay hopeful that one day someone will take me home.

website

I've decided to give the old website a little facelift. I've removed all of the mixed media work and am only showing a few images per series of the work pre-Rabbitholes. It's not up yet - I will post when it is, but in the meantime, I have changed my News page and needed to put these images somewhere. They are important to me in that I don't seem to have many shots of me actually working. So for those of you that haven't seen these:

and that was today

Hot and sunny but I had my woodland creature with me so we had to partake on a journey. We danced in the "ruins" near Lefferts Blvd. We walked together down a dirt road behind some industrial park in Nassau County. Tomorrow, I have a frog to kiss and see if he becomes a prince.

It's great to be an artist :)