Greetings,

This week we will see some new edits after two weeks of devoting issues to specific models. The feedback tells me that focusing on a single model at a time is popular so that will continue in the future with an all new image issue about every 3rd one. I certainly have enough work to support that approach. Thank you all for your feedback.

I also noticed that the issue before last, the one that was a bit more racy than my typical images, and with a couple, was more popular than usual. I was a little worried people would choose to be offended by it and unsubscribe. Not one. Actually, it gained 12 new subscribers that week. This has shown me that the people who follow my art, especially in this weekly offering and on my website, know what to expect and that’s why they are here. Unlike social media, where there is a percentage of people looking to be offended, the website and training area is devoid of that. It could be that here the viewers don’t have a voice that reaches beyond my ear. I get to ramble here with my mini epiphanies and you get to ignore the words and ogle the art. At least I have something in common with Playboy of yesteryear.

I’ve been watching a fun documentary from the BBC on Youtube called “The Real Blow Up” about fashion and photographers in the 60’s in London. The similarities of how we do shoots is fun to see of course. But these guys and their cameras changed the whole fashion culture of the 60’s around the world. It features Bailey, Twiggy, Shrimpton and dozens more. The natural flow of catching the perfect image hasn’t changed much since then. I love that it was done with film, usually grainy black and white film. It was about the expression more than anything. The overwhelming expression was the ‘deer in the headlights innocent but I will bite you’ look.

Another thing I found interesting about the photographers in the 60’s is that each one had, at least once in their career, and regular model they worked with, sometimes exclusively. When they found one with the look that triggered their creativity, or one they knew they could transform into what they wanted, they stuck with her. That’s interesting to me because I typically gravitate to a small number of people I work with. Not exclusively of course, but ones I know we can hit the studio floor, or a location, and know we will create some wonderful work. Hit the floor running so to speak. The difference for those photographers was that the models did nothing but that, it was their career. Those I work with are either doing it for the fun of creation or it is a side job. Occasionally I get a chance to work with a traveling model who does it for a living, but their business model is far different than any models in the 60’s. I still enjoy working with new people of course. I never know when the next ‘regular’ will happen. I’ve watched so many live their lives, marry, have babies, or move away. It would be nice to have them just go into stasis and await my call but hey, life goes on, as it should.

The other difference between what it was like for photographers and models in the 60’s was the relationships beyond the camera. It seems that most had personal connections, if you know what I mean. Especially David Bailey. Just about everything that went on back then was accepted as normal. The same behavior today would put you in jail or some black list of course. It is not surprising as society is always changing, mostly condemning the past for one reason or another. I try to look at the time and actions within their own time bubble. A lot of things in the past were wrong by today’s standards. With that in mind, how many people seriously try to do things today based on what will be acceptable in 40 years? No one. not possible. We all expect that todays sensibilities will be how it is forever and history shows that is certainly not the case.

With all of that said, I hold my reputation only second to the reputations of those I work with. I’ve said it before. I’m in the self esteem business. Ladies like to have their picture taken and fortunately for me, selfies aren’t always enough. Helping someone feel good about themselves is what I do, or try to do. What I get out of it is my art. That and some true friendships I’ve made over the last decade that I cherish.

I’ll never know what I would have been like in the 60’s as a photographer. I have a profound respect for women and always have, so I kinda’ doubt I would mix a love life and professional life. The best I can do today to try to capture the romance of photography in the 60’s is with my Nikon 35mm camera that a wonderful model gave me. I need to shoot more grainy B&W film and feel the 60’s. It would be awesome to have enough film work someday to have a Museletter issue devoted to it.

Well, tomorrow Colby and I have our first filming session. The working title is “Wide Open” and I’m so looking forward to seeing what we can create. Of course I’ll have links here as it becomes available.

Ad: On the 20th of November, I’m doing a group class with 6 photographers and Elley as the model. ONLY ONE SPOT LEFT! It’s all about lighting and then some editing over Zoom. That should be great fun for all.

Private sessions! She’s going to book up the following day in the studio for 1on1 shoots with photographers. So if you don’t need a class , here’s your chance to work with a real pro on Sunday the 21st. Message her!

And if you’d like to take the class, click the link.
Book the class here

Enjoy the art!

Until next week, enjoy!!! And stay safe.

Dave

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New images…and some classics

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