A "nice to have" problem on a photoshoot with a model is that you come away with so many images you end up rejecting shots for frivolous reasons. I've overlooked this photoshoot and wondered what in the heck I was thinking not using these images of the lovely Chayla East!
The location for the shoot, Firbeck Pit in North Nottinghamshire, has sadly now been demolished to make way for houses I can't afford. There were several buildings on site in various states of dereliction and quite a lot of which was painted by some talented graffiti artists. This was one of my favourite go to locations to shoot in the dark and with models in the daytime; it's getting more and more difficult these days to find abandoned buildings to photograph!
Pensive
On this photoshoot, I remember being something like hungover due to getting home a 3am after a night's lightpainting. I'd had very little sleep but couldn't pass on an opportunity to shoot with Chayla! Maybe Chayla was picking up vibes from my hangover, but this shot reflected the way I was feeling at the time.
Windswept and interesting
Eyes play a big part in a photoshoot in terms of getting the focus right and making the model appear engaged with the viewer in some way. With this shot, it was so windy but it kind of works without the eyes being too visible. Another big part of my "style" if I have one is to make sure the model's hands are in the frame and not randomly cut off!
Catwalk
Another shot I overlooked was Chayla here stood in front of this old colliery building iron framed window. The hole in the wall on the right really annoyed me because I didn't notice it at the time. I could use Photoshop to get rid of the hole...
Chayla in the baths
Here I've shot Chayla in what was the old shower block or baths for the miners as they finish their shift.
Funky boots
I will never understand how a model can walk around in what looks like dangerously high heeled boots in a trip hazardous derelict building. Chayla clearly has good balance!
Chayla's in the frame
The many doorways to the miners' baths made a great frame for Chayla.
And finally
This was the photoshoot I realised I seem to shoot everything in portrait format or vertical. I now make a concious effort to go landscape as well as portrait but it is a struggle!
About me:
I usually specialise in shooting lightpainting images but occasionally dabble in urbex and artistic model photography. I'm always on the lookout for someone to collaborate with; please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to create art.
Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/fastchrisuk
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fastchris/