Witchcraft

Some modeling tests - the photographer that was supposed to shoot tests for this model got sick and left the model hanging. Thankfully he has us (me and 2 other photogs) as pals and we took one for the team and did some simple test shots for this aspiring model.
I got to test my new goodies (Maxi Spot (amazing) and barn doors with a nice set of color gels by Elinchrom. Great stuff and I think these things will help me to create some interesting photos. I rarely see gels on location so it's about to change :)

anyway - i shot 10 frames with a Nikon D700 (my friends cam( and an Nikkor 85 1.4 and with some minimal PP i got this photo. I messed up the color modes and it looks less saturated and contrasty than in the psd file. I am a little confused my this, but I was told that this is because of the Nikon sRGB color modes... I have no clue.
D700 and Nikkor 85 1.4 are amazing tools, made WAYYY better than Canon 5d Mark II. I just wish Nikon had more Megapixels. I would have jumped to Nikon in a heartbeat just because of the build quality and auto focus... We shall see... muhaha )))

Elements

... or rather - The Mistress of the Copper Mountain.
4 of my photographer friends invited me for a small shoot with their model friends )
totally impromptu. The location was stunning! i had no idea that right by the Ring Freeway theres a HuGe white sand quarry with humongous slabs of rock piled up. Amazing. Add some stormy skies and you have a a very dramatic location.
The rest was easy - one strobe - camera left on a tall boom + Deep Octa from Elinchrom with the front removed.

Dozed off In Moscow

It took me more than a week to meet everyone I wanted to meet and to get started on my shooting routine here in Moscow. The weather is amazing and it looks like this summer is going to be promising. I need to renovate my old od apartment badly but for now I am staying with my parents which certainly makes both parties a little happier. Athough that old place is nothing short of a mess - it makes a pretty cool studio :) Super small location but quite spectacular when it comes to creative possibilities.
Two of my photo friends helped me to bring my new couch to the place and ended up staying until late. We decided to call up some amateur models and 3 girls showed up at 11 pm. Speaking of making the same thing possible in LA - No way in Hell you can get a model that you have never met on the same day esp. THAT late. Love love love Russian models. Professional. Ready to work!
Anyway - these are some model tests for Ogla (nude model) and Kate (dressed)

I will post more shots later but to make a long story short, I was trying out the location and some tricks with lights and quick concepts.

I wanted to create some images that woud speak to the viwer on multiple levels... depending of the audience's level of deapth pf perception I am hoping that everyone would see something that goes a little beyond the initial pic.

Escape the volcanic ash!! :))