Moulin Rouge!
I’ve been wanting to post about this shoot since January and I’m just now able to, finally! I did this shoot for a magazine back in January and I believe the magazine has since closed it’s doors. Hey, it happens sometimes. The economy is rough right now, and magazines are taking a huge hit! So no worries, I thought, at least I will have a beautiful shoot for my book and I’ll keep submitting it to other magazines! That’s when Brandon Oelling stepped in and my shoot landed 3 covers for the Chicago based The Printedblog Magazine! Brandon Oelling owns and operates the kick ass company X-equals. X=’s full service digital studio and consultancy continues to set the mark for innovative photography, post-production, and technical services for the fashion, music, and lifestyle brands industries. I blogged about them when they ran an interview with me a few months ago. You can check out that interview again here! I strongly urge my readers to check out X=’s site and blog. They offer up to date digital solutions to photographers’ working in all mediums and industries. Whether you’re needing help with your digital workflow or backing up your database, they offer immediate solutions without killing your bank account. And in today’s iffy economy, that’s a huge plus. Brandon’s blog, http://x-equals.com/blog/ is also great! He breaks down lightroom so easily, giving us no-nonsense help on understanding it. I know I’ve learned a lot of great tips from just reading his blog. PLUS, his blog is chock full of interesting interviews! We are big fans of Brandon Oelling over here and his X= is SO important to photographers in this digital age! I’ve admitted before that post-production is something I’ve never really embraced as far as learning every single thing I have needed to know to keep my workflow running smoothly. People like Brandon are the perfect solution to photographers like myself who would rather go to a professional for their digital workflow and processing. Hey, I used to go to the lab! Now I just go to a virtual lab!
There is a video tutorial we did for this shoot and you can click here to go straight to it! I used a beauty dish on my key light and a small shoot through umbrella to the side of the model’s face just to brighten/fill any harsh shadows. The light with the beauty dish pretty much lit the whole story. I shot with my Nikon D2xs and used my 85mm lens the whole time except when I wanted to shoot some wacky wide shots. I have the notes listed below the photos for you to see. I think what stood out for me the most from this story was David Skyler’s incredible post work. I had a vision and he took it to completion. He worked really hard on this story and I’m very grateful to have him around!
Again, I worked with an amazing team. Angela Aaron did the styling, having found the hat designers, Hey-Sailor and Heather Huey, in NYC and picked out the coolest hats. She also pulled some great original jewelry pieces from Beladora. The concept was “Moulin Rouge” and I think if any stylist in this town is going to get that theme it’s going to be Angela Aaron for sure! Stephanie Pohl did the hair. In my opinon she just did SUCH an Amazing job! I fall more in love with her work every time I shoot with her. Elizabeth Ulloa did the make up and again, she just did a great great job! I shot with Jelly from Ford ( you remember her from the Spring Fashion Editorial). Hey when you find a superb girl………..And then I used Teela from Photogenics. Both girls I think really fit the description of what we were going for which was decadent over the top styling, hair and make up. You know, very Moulin Rouge!
I shot this in my friends painting studio again. Small set, nice people, good energy and basically one light. I am love with the results. You?
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Great! I get to be the first to say this post is awesome. Wonderful pictures and fab video
The style and feel is very gorgeous, very Moulin Rouge! Appreciate you sharing your work, and especially the behind the scenes stuff.
Fantastic! The post-production really compliments the shoot as well. I appreciate you doing this, this is so inspiring!
oh my, it’s awesome!!!
I feel this is very inspiring to see…You can tell u Love
what u do..
I Love Black and White!!
I need to collect my jaw from the floor.
Seriously.. Like I tweeted already – Absolutely stunning.
We love your tweets!
Wonderful shots, great feel with the PP work- Even without any PP love the lighting and one light feel.
wow great! thnak you for sharing this backstage and your wonderful pictures!
Beautiful work, as always:) Really enjoy the behind the scene and workflow video/article. Thanks a tons, so helpfull.
Keep up the great work.
That’s an amazing shoot!!!
I love the colors
Hi really nice work my friend. Please can you guide me how to get this skin tones
That’s just wonderful Melissa!
I adore these shots. The whole outcome is wonderful.
I am off to watch the video right now, and the links you have posted
Thanks!
Jeroen.
what’s not to love? any other feeling would be impossible.
Hey Melissa, I noticed in the video that the shoot-thru umbrella had a flag or GoBe placed between the model and the light. I was wondering what purpose it served as far as lighting effect.
Thanks!
Beauty dish in front, and flag half way of the umbrella over the model’s head to control the spill of light on the shadows. That is called SKILLS BABY!. Its more than a rule to a good portrait, its how she controls the quality of lighting to achieve the EXACT effect in the photograph she wants. Her wishes and her eye are the source of the need for only her curious and vivid mind to solve them. Always a pleasure to see your work Melissa, and love the song.
♪♪”Mama we all go to hell”♪♪
Ryu
These shots are phenomenal.
Awesome!!! Again, how inspiring! Thanks for being some open and transparent!
Great post, very informative. Have learned a lot from your site.
These are superb photos. Thanks for another very useful video, Melissa
I am new to your blog..
I work part time with fashion and I am not that good, as yet.
1.What is the brand beauty dish you are using?
2.What lens did you use on the above shots?
what is the approx settings on the lens do you use? I know this may be difficult because of lighting.
I hope you or you staff have time to help
thank you
Ken in KY
Wow! Fantastic! Excellent post processing!
wonderful Melissa!
What effect did you use photoshop?
Wonderful
i like the picture
the concept n lighting..
Great photos. I know those hats well. I have been eying them up for a while. A cool surprise to see them in your photos.
Your blog is so informative
These photos are absolutely stunning and we thank you and Angela Aaron for using our beautiful Beladora vintage estate fine jewelry.
Just one note the spelling is Beladora.com not BellaDora.
i really you sharing these informations. great pictures here.
Its fantastic.*-* i love this… but whos the model? shes beautiful.: D
hey, nice work, i want to ask you about retouching. what plugins or effects have you used in this session. thanks