Category Archives: Events

Olyvia in Red

May 21, 2017 whittyp Leave a comment

Model: Olyvia Mayhew
Mask: Black Widow Fascinations

Day two of the Great Trentham Collaboration did not start well with my first model of the day being one of a number who failed to show up on the morning. There was also not the same level of energy level in the room.

Fortunately for me one of the other photographers in the room was in a similar position and so she agreed to be my model. I had brought along my own red dress and a few props and having checked that she was not averse to fur, we headed out for a couple of locations around the base of the main grandstand.

Events, Models

Moana the shieldmaiden

May 20, 2017 whittyp Leave a comment

The final shoot on day one was with Moana. We had discussed a number of ideas with her and had planned for a two part shoot. The first would involve her in a Viking outfit from ckfilmdesign and the second was to be a bath shoot. Unfortunately Moana came to the event with a cold and so we scraped the bath idea.

The costumes from ckfilmdesign are amazing and Wikitoria did an amazing job of the makeup. As it turned out Jordan was also doing a similar shoot so I suggested to the other photographer that we could bring the two models together.

They even tried some mock flighting although I think that Jordan was more enthusiastic about the idea of swinging swords.

Still it was a fun end to the day.

Credits
Model: Moana Mink
MUA:
Outfit: CKFilmDesign

Events, Fashion, Models

Ashleigh-Jane

March 26, 2017 whittyp Leave a comment

The third shoot on day one of the Great Trentham Collaboration was with Ashley-Jane Cole. I had shot AJ three years previously at the waterfall in Upper Hutt and again when she was at a recording studio as she is a very talented singer/songwriter.

AJ had chosen a swing dress from Deranged, which styled up for a ballet theme. Her makeup was done by Eden Gibbons.

On the upper level of grandstand was a cafe with a Fence look so I made up of a large mural for my first set of images.

We then moved up in the attic area where the large windows surrounded with wines provided plenty of great light and interesting backgrounds

We then moved to the outside and particularly around the base of the vines that encase the building.

Events, Fashion, Models

Jordan

March 12, 2017 whittyp Leave a comment

The second shoot on day one of the Great Trentham Collaboration what’s with Jordan. Unlike Kasey, Jordan had spent the previous hour in hair and makeup with MUA Charlie Timmins.

She had chosen two outlets from Wellington designer Evem. Unlike my first shoot of the morning, this time we moved around the racecourse. We started in a small space that I have discovered behind the make up room they have good natural light and a piano and us I thought it would make it interesting start.

We then moved outside and into an area this that is used on race day to stable the horses just before they come into the birdcage at the start of the race. Jordan does pole fitness and so she had no problem climbing up in the staples for a number of shots.

We then moved around the course and shot in a pavilion that is quite often used for outdoor weddings.

And then into an area that is immediately in front of the old grandstand. On our walk-through of the venue the week before I have noticed a old piano in the area and thought that this would be a great prop. As it turned out when we first arrived it was being used buy another photographer. So we moved a little further down and again Jordan showed her gymnastic ability.

I been noticed a number of windows and thoughts that we might be able to capture reflections on them. This was true however the glass had the remnants of sticky tape on it which I could not remove. Fortunately photoshop can.

For my final shot we moved a large gate in-place and Jordan made out that she was trapped.

Events, Fashion, Models

Kasey

March 11, 2017 whittyp Leave a comment

The schedule for the Great Trentham collaboration was split into two groups each day with eight photographers in each. There were eight slots allocated to shoots, and seven to makeup. In the two weeks leading up to the event the various designers associated with it posted images of outfits that they would have available. This generated discussion between the models and photographers and lead to outfits being booked for various sessions.

I took a very relaxed approach and I let my models book their own outfits.

The first shoot in Group 2 started at 9 o’clock. This meant that the model did not have time to go through makeup and had to arrive already made up.

My first shoot on day one was with Kasey. She had selected an Egyptian outfit made by Charlotte Kelleher of CKfilmDesign. The outfit consistent of several parts and therefore we needed to assistance of Paul Irving.

As the morning was cloudy I decided it was a perfect opportunity to head to the roof of the grandstand which is essentially an open air seating area. I took a series of images in a different styles of the outfit including static and walking shots. I also had a play with my lensbaby composer lens. Unfortunately there is an issue with this lens on my the D600 in that the camera cannot control the aperture and so all shooting is wide open at f2.8.

At the end of the shoot we moved indoors and I used a white screen setup to shoot some images that I may look at using in composites later on.

I’m really pleased with the images although later in the day I would have probably chosen a different location, but that is always the way when you start early.

I hope to be able to shoot with Kasey again.

Events

Classic Ruby

September 18, 2016 whittyp Leave a comment

I am currently most of the way through my sixth year of shooting a photo a day challenge. This year I decided to concentrate on having people in all of my images as portraiture is mainly what i shoot. That does require me to seek out subjects particularly on the weekends.

So when I saw that the National Portrait Gallery were having a sitting with a model in 17th century costume I was really keen to take part. Now such sittings are mainly designed for people sketching or painting and photography therefore I was not sure how welcome I would be. Therefore in asking permission I threw in a little carrot, that I would shoot some behind the scenes images that the gallery could use.

They agreed and so I turned up towards the end of the session. As I knew that I needed to be portable I had a single speed light on a stand using a Rogue Panel to expand the light. This let me position the light away from where I was shooting.

While the BTS shots were ok I could not get into a position that really suited me so once the session was over Ruby agreed to sit back in her position and I could position the light where I wanted it.

The gallery is running these at regular occasions with each new exhibitions and I sure that I will be back there again.

Events

On the Red Carpet

January 10, 2016 whittyp Leave a comment

Venus Starr is a local entrepreneur involved in the burlesque and alt modelling industry. For the last two years she had put on the Dark Starr Lingerie & Fashion show in Wellington. The event, that was held late in 2015, brings together her inked models from around the country wearing creations that would rival those seen on the Victoria Secrets catwalk.

This year she wanted to add an extra element to the show for the models taking part and that was to create a red carpet complete with paparazzi, so she posted a request on Facebook for photographers who wanted to take part and have a little fun. So I agreed to take part and the shots below are some of the approved shots from the event.

It was a fun night and my only regret was that we were not allowed to shoot the models in their outfits.

Events

ANZAC Week – The Great War Exhibition

April 28, 2015 whittyp Leave a comment

This is the second post connected with ANZAC day 2015. As with the first one if you do not anything about the ANZAC’s then this post will provide you with the background.

Wellington is very much the centre of film production in New Zealand in that we are lucky to have Peter Jackson and the team from Weta Workshops based here. Over the last decade their special effects wizardry has thrilled audiences worldwide with the “Lord of the Rings” and Hobbit Trilogy.

Over the last couple of months Peter and the team from Weta have turned what used to be the Grand Hall of the old National Museum into an exhibition of World War 1. It is told life size as you walk through the story of the war.

The exhibition opened on the 18th April and will run for 4 years being added to along the way. It has attracted large crowds since it has opened. We were very fortunate that we got in at a time that they was no queue. Photography is allowed so below is a teaser of what is in there.

The team at Weta are very skilful at making everything look so realistic. You enter into a small village in Belgium.

Then each year of the war is shown with the archway telling you the year.

The exhibition follows Peter’s grandfather through the war starting with him enlisting by lying about this age.

Peter has quite a collection of memorabilia and many of the elements in the exhibition come from his own collection.

In many places through the exhibition boxes contain the smells associated with the war. In the screens representing the tenches there was a real smell of damp earth.

Around the exhibition are posters depicting modern sayings that had their origin in WW1.

The last screen depicts a young Peter with his grandfather later in life.

When you get through the exhibition you enter a cafe and shop that has be done out like the inside of one of the ships that brought the troops home. You exist the shop via a gangplank down to the exit. Even up close the set looks real.