The artistic nude shoot

The back

This particular shoot I did was in a very tiny studio of a friend who had the space built up to take passport photo head shots. I was using Fuji 4900 Zoom while my friend had a Nikon D100 DSLR (if I am not mistaken) but it was some 100 and a prime camera in those days. So I had a chance to shoot with it. I could not afford one of those, but to be honest I was very happy with my Fuji 4900 results. I still have it.

The space constraint was quite mind boggling as it was difficult to place lights for creative light and shadow play. We generally get used to the space we usually work in and with the time we know how to manipulate or modulate the light accordingly. It was also the very first shoot for the model but she was mentally ready and prepared for art nude shoot. She was gem of a person.

I was looking at some creative tasteful shots, while my friend was more inclined to pop in every now and then to make suggestions that were more away from my taste of photography. Me and the model had over a time through quite many chat sessions discussed the kind of shots I will like to shoot, that is more on the sober and decent side of art nudes. We were both not prepared for those kinds of poses as suggested by my friend. After my friend used to go out of the tiny studio, I used to tell her that she need not follow the directions of my friend instead she could say where and with poses or expressions she was uncomfortable without any second thoughts. Each time he popped in to make suggestions I would remind her that she not take poses she did not want. To honour his offering use of space, I felt obliged not to say anything in a harsh way. I know we were both uncomfortable from his pop ins, I did give some hints to my friend but I he ignored the same. But I realised the perils of using some one's studio as it was I for the first time using not my own facility. We lived through this shoot with not so good an experience. I truly believe there should not be any interference by the owner of the studio or any of his assistant / staff. This should be the way it should really be at all times - non interference.

The negative version

This being a mutual talent barter system of understanding, I had promised some normal shoots for her after the shoot for me. The ward robe she brought was more or less over used. And most importantly I could not take any long shots. Later after the shoot I dropped her off to her area of residence, she came on line or was it on phone she showed her displeasure at my friend's interference. I agree she would have been offended but kept her cool perhaps understood my dilemma as I too was feeling guilty from the behaviour of my friend. That was the last shoot we shot together. Despite the tiny space and of course the irritating pop ins we (me and the model) got some good results. The feedbacks from various forums were very positive and encouraging. We could have done a few more shoots after a gap in the future. 

This one was liked by many people on different forums where I had posted.

I am some how more comfortable with my own space know how the lights spread or bounce off the walls using my own equipment. Funny I feel so very handicapped as I have used hired spaces as I know exactly where what piece of equipment is lying and once feel the need I can retrieve the same within moments. 

I had to vacate the room that I used as a studio in my flat as my eldest son was getting married. The room was any way a multi-purpose room for me for so many years. The equipment used to brought out for the shoot and packed and kept way after the shoot. I had to develop portfolio for an outstation model, I did not have the space, so with a heavy heart I had to once again use another friend's studio. It was bigger space than mine own that I had used all those past years. Here the assistant was quite hesitant to bring out lights or accessories that really was very depressing. Since his employer used a certain light set up, he too wanted to make me use the same way. He was quite stubborn, and such an attitude does water down the whole mindset for a good shoot. On top of it the model I found was a very finicky kind. Always asking if there were any hidden cameras although the shoot was a normal portfolio. During the many months of chat interaction she mentioned that she would like to go in for some implied nudes or full nudes. Of course keeping the anonymity in mind.  I could not even dare to suggest as I personally felt there was no privacy with the assistant around in studio and her harping on the issue of hidden camera. It was nothing short of nagging. Through chat one does not get to know the nature of the subject nor the subject get to know the nature of the photographer. I do always suggest that we meet up in some public place like a cafe or a restaurant to gauge each other for comfort level. Once there is a feeling of mutual comfort then to go ahead planning for the shoot.

Well after these incidents I have never been very keen on utilising studios of friends or even those available on hire. I am very comfortable carrying my own lighting equipment and shoot on location.

 

The back BW version

This was shot with lights bounced off the white back ground wall of the studio

This was shot with a single light bounced off the white wall.

Same lighting of the white wall on the side. 

In the final analysis I feel space and lighting constraints do help think out of the box. The only negative aspect in using some one else's studio space the possible interference that can happen and it could mar the whole shoot. Perhaps if my friend did not pop in to give his suggestions of porn like actions / expressions, I do feel we both would have come out with more reasonably good results. The mind would have been free to think positively. And, I am sure I would have had more chances of working with the model in the future. I do thank her for the cooperation and tolerance of the interference by maintaining her composure through out the photography session.

Private commissions - Consider an artwork of yourself whether it be a gift for a loved one or for future reflection of your past glory of beautiful body. You can choose to have your own ideas incorporated, in a studio or at a location. The whole experience will take place in an environment that is artistic, tasteful, safe and confidential. Charges will be discussed in personal meeting.

Want to be my Muse as a model on my personal projects??
Muse: One of the nine ancient Greek goddesses who each represented a particular art or science.

Muse is a goddess that inspires a creative artist. The source of an artist's inspiration. A guiding spirit.

There comes a time when a photographer needs before his camera for further explorations, development and advancing his photographic sighting projects with a long term Muse, who has an understanding and passion for creativity.

I am in search of such attractive female/s between 20 -30 (to 35) years with a good figure for collaboration on mutual talent exchange basis for artistic nude/semi nude figure modelling. A reasonably bold minded female / female model would be a better preference. The best would of course be ballet dancer or dancer as they know how to stretch and hold the body for creative posing. Officially under age females should avoid approaching for such mutual collaboration.

For posing, we would work mainly in some tender and moody portraits, may be some semi nudes/nudes (anonymity will be maintained in such shoots of body exposure). There will be NOTHING even near to pornographic images. The shoots will take place on mutual convenient times and in environment that is artistic, tasteful, safe and confidential. I could share a few hard prints with the model collaborating on such projects. With promising models I am also open to shooting a portfolio or few images for their wall display in exchange after the artistic shoot or on another day mutually agreed. For such a shoot model needs to organise wardrobe/clothing/accessories/shoes, etc. I will be providing soft copies of this portfolio shoot along with a proper presentation in soft form on CD/DVDs.
I would require a hand written consent letter "that you contacted me for the artistic nudes shoot and you are doing it of your own free will. At no time at behest of anyone initiate any legal actions and would keep me safe from such issues" This is the central idea or essence of the letter.
A government issued identification with reference to age. I am open to your bringing along a non interfering person for the shoot.

Please Email me with your stats, height and a full length and mid shot photographs so that we can move on from there.  Please let me know if you are a resident of Delhi/NCR or some other city,

My Email: indergopal@gmail.com

The Ear Wax Digger

So many issues keeping me mentally away from a lot of things. At last I did give a try to go out and do some street photography in old Delhi. Last week end I spent time in my old Delhi home, but had not carried my camera. Some times a small camera is a great help than carrying a DSLR that one uses for commercial work. This time I did make it a point to bring along for the week end.

This morning (Saturday, 09.07.2011) Babul Bhatt drove all the way from Gurgaon for the shoot. We did meet up in Chandni Chowk and walked to Khari Baoli. It is still one of the most active place in the morning, though old Delhi is active through out most part of the waking period, be it morning, day or late night.

This time around in this post I will only share some pictures shot of an ear cleaner. During such street photography hanging around by sitting in a place helps break some ice. I sat on the many hand carts that lie on the road or side walk during that early hour. The owners of these hand carts show up later when the shops open. In the early hour it is mostly trading of flowers and flower petals that are brought tied up in fabrics. These are carried on the head by the vendors.

There are many ear cleaners moving around or have marked their spots to be found by their regular clients. I was taking time sitting on the hand carts on various spots I thought would give me some interesting captures. The guy I shot, looked decent with his very proper head gear. He had an interesting face and a good material for a photo shoot. I did a shot while he was looking away.

He broke ice by interacting with me. I showed him the frame, there after I started shooting more with a frontal shot that he liked.

In between came in an old client of his, who mentioned that he never got his ears cleaned from any other in the trade. He gets on with the job.

He shows some thing big that was pulled out of his ear.

Looking in for more wax.

It must be quite uncomfortable when the guy goes around scrapping out the wax from the ear.

I move on further to look for other actions in Khari Baoli. Some how there was not much of hustle bustle that I have seen on earlier days. The morning was not very clear, it looked like it would rain. There was no breeze at all. It was reasonably hot and humid, but not like in the past few weeks. How ever it still drains out quite a lot of energy. We ended our day with some puree- aloo subzi at Shiv Bhandar in Chandni Chowk topped up with 2 jalebees each. By the way he makes the preparations in pure desi ghee. They have added an air conditioned hall as well, quite a relief to have been sitting there to enjoy the breakfast. I do eat a little spicy food so I really felt it was quite blend that what we get in Charkhewalan. Carried about a kilo of jalebees for the family at home. Nice thing is that on request they make them thin, fine and crispy. I was made to remember by the manager that I had some after a very long time. True it was a long time as on my last visit the air conditioned hall was not there. A nice addition in old Delhi market.