10 am start preparations for the shoot
As usual I have an incredibly structured way to approach the day's shoot, mainly because there are so many things that could go wrong during the photo-shoot itself. I also need to work in an orderly fashion to achieve what we’ve set out to capture, for this always requires a plan.
As the day begins I will load my film carefully and prepare the necessary cameras for the day's shoot, revise lenses and all technical applications. Once all this is prepared I will resort to my sketchbook, an old fashioned way of working out ideas, through sketches and drawings. These initial images will be used as a starting point, from which we will take inspiration, direction and a sense of order.
Once the model arrives I will spend a few moments talking about the ideas and intentions of the main objectives, we both look at the notebooks and begin to decipher from the sketches what is possible and where we should start . The model is already nude at this point in order to get rid of any clothing marks on the body and to acclimatize to the environment. The background is carefully arranged and all the angles are set, the lights are adjusted and within moments, we are starting the session.
The shoot itself evolves and gathers momentum, as we set off with predetermined ideas, some of which change and improve as we go along, most of the time unexpected poses or angles will appear and these are the ones that we end up working with without hesitation. We work slowly, yet accurately, no time is wasted, although we are working in slow motion, things are happening quickly. It's all down to instinct now, no time to be indecisive.
Often we find that the shoot has a beginning, a middle and an end. There are moments where we work hard to keep the continuity and the feeling, and there are other moments where the shoot glides along effortlessly. Such is the business of creativity, where so much of it is about the interaction between sitter and artist. There is an exchange, a bond, an understanding, a sense of communing and soul mining that either happens naturally or through persistence and hard work.
The lighting and exposures are no longer technical challenges, as all this has been carefully planned from the beginning. The plan is applied and the results reflect the intentions, and unintentional findings, these may occur or happen as a result of the mood created. Once we are totally focused we find ourselves forgetting about the outside world, almost like a meditative state, and that is where one has to totally be, in that moment and nowhere else, 100% focus is required, the flow is achieved by continuity, no pauses, no questions, just a constant work flow. Instinctively we know when it's over.
11.30 the shoot is over
TOP FIVE TIPS
1- Understand what you are setting out to achieve
2- Always have a formula, a personal way of working
3- Try to create the perfect environment and mood.
4- Create a bond and connection with the subject-matter.
5- Be ready to improvise or go with the flow.
ADVICE TO Beginners
Persistence is the key, follow your instinct, not fashion and remember nature is the true source of inspiration. Don’t over-complicate things! Stick to the details and emphasize them with subtleness ........ remember sometimes less is more!
There is
also more text in my book Nude
Photography Notebook about technique, inspiration, ideas and
photographs.If you would like to purchase a copy, please let me know your prefered address details and I can send it to you! £25 pounds (signed copies)
You can see more work by Allan Jenkins and contact him at www.allanjenkins.com