Starting tonight’s Steemit post around 11:00p.m., but it’s been an ardeous, stressful day. @guthrie is exploring new frontiers with his STEEM paid birthday Dell laptop, but new UI/UX challenges […prior to this, he’s only had an iPad] and some word obstacles results in “Dad, what does this say, what does this do, how do I move, how do I jump, how, how, how?”. I’m happy to help him […and I saw this on the horizon when I bought it], but it seriously impedes my ability to work.
The second area my day went wrong, was during nightly Magic: The Gathering with that fucking asshole, @tarotbyfergus. He’s been playing with this new Nicol Bolas deck that by all accounts SHOULD NOT WORK! It’s basically a creatureless planeswalker deck with ridiculously high mana costs. He should be dead by turn five every game, but it hasn’t gone like that the last two days. I think I only won one game tonight, all the while fielding “Dad, how do I?” questions out of the corner of the peanut gallery. Got to see @moony for a bit, though. That was nice.
I’ll make some changes on the MTG decks and @tarotbyfergus’ hope will become despair tomorrow, but for now, I’m focusing on art, and I did manage to get a respectable set of new work finished before midnight. It felt good to finish these photos because my client, Chereeka, has been incredible patient on these! As I’ve mentioned, the two look books I recently finished for The Lingerie Addict and Vixen/La Femme En Noir commanded much of my time and resources over the last few weeks. They had deadlines and a high standard of editing and post processing since they were product photos in addition to just being “nice to look at”.
Chereeka, and her friend Sarah booked with me immediately after Viva Las Vegas 2016. They were my first clients that had placed deposits for Viva 2017 and my first shoots once I arrived this part April. Both ladies were Londoners and I was so thrilled to meet and work with both of them. If you page through some of my earlier VLV blogs, I was in good shape, good spirits for VLV […which can be soul-crushingly busy] and went in to their shoots at 6:00a.m. before starting my “Ladies First” guest photographer role at 11:00a.m. the same day. It was a demanding 24 hours but Chereeka and Sarah were up first and I felt prepared.
Most clients have a particular reason they’ve hired me, or at least a goal for the photos. Some, it’s no more complex than just wanted images to reflect on when they’re old. Other clients are trying to overcome confidence issues, or get published. Chereeka explained to me some of the typical roles of women in much of her culture and how she wanted to make a clear statement against marginalism or submissiveness. She wanted a strong, proud and confident presence and she wanted much of it in traditional clothing to punctuate that point.
I do love photographing women of color. I think it’s one of my greatest strengths as a photographer that utilizes only natural an available light. I learned from Jim Gavenus, a world renown documentary photography that has made a massive impact in telling the stories of Civil Rights in The Deep South and human rights in Haiti. He always gets compliments on how well he photographs people of color and he’s always told me, “…that’s because I don’t use artificial light or a flash.”. Naturally, there are cases where men and women of color can be photographed beautiful with artificial and studio lighting, but generally, dark skin looks it’s best with soft, natural, or available light. While editing these, I could see those rich, exotic textures and colors in the skin.
I need to send these edits along to her now considering she’ll be waking up in a few hours, but I thought Steemit would appreciate the first, exclusive look at some new work. I post daily. For more photography, illustration, art and the stories behind it all, follow me @kommienezuspadt!
Chereeka has the right idea. Anyone who would marginalize her would only find themselves empty. Great photos!
Agreed @michaelrojo. She's with a really cool, nerdy guy and they're a super cute couple together. I'm glad she found happiness.
The power of photography
This proved true. By setting our images free, Unsplash turned into something much more meaningful than the hundreds of dollars we likely would have made selling them. Those first 10 photos photos have been seen 58 million times. Unsplash has become a community of over 20 million creators. People from all over the world have generously contributed over 250,000 photos, moving hundreds of millions of creative acts forward.
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The photo is very good, I like to follow you because I learn from you.
Thanks for the follow @dezconocido!
I love the shots in the purple dress. It has a kind of 1950's look and feel, and the same time there is a strength and almost defiant look to Chereeka's expression. I think you nailed the desired look.
Cheers,
@kellyjanderson
Thank you @kellyjanderson. Yeah, that's exactly the era we were going for. I appreciate it.
I really love your photography work,and it is really interesting to see what you do with natural light.but it was a bit hard to follow your blog post,
as there were so many topics at once.. ;)
I would have excpected to read more about photography and less about card decks ;)
HA! It's true @heikomahr. I sort of write like I talk, and anyone that knows me, knows I jump around when I speak. I have a lot going on in my head at all times. The Magic games are a big part of my life, so they'll get some screen time. Thanks for the comment and kind words about the photography :)
Beautiful photos, beautiful woman
Thank you @purpleblob. She is!
Very good photos... I was just think how this woman looks in B&W :)
These all turned out great in B/W @foxkoit. I'm overdue for an all B/W post so I may include one or two of these.
Cool... I am happy to see :) this here are very good photos.
@guthrie is the cutest with all the how, how, how! :) Chereeka is so beautiful and strong. I love the one in the living room.
HAHA! it is cute, @m31. Thank you.
kommienezuspadt got some love from
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Hey Lars, too funny about the laptop and Guthrie. I like the vintage feel to the pictures. Where did you do the shoot and find that retro tv?
Thanks @steempowerpics! I have a friend in Las Vegas that is obsessed with midcentury modern homes and culture. She allows me to shoot there.
Your subjects eyes speak volumes! And the technique you said for shooting darker toned skin worked fabulously.
I have made it a goal to hire you soon! Amazing work friend!
Thank you, as always @artedellavita! I would love that! You can pay me in STEEM! :P
No problem there friend!