“Shooting in the Persian Gulf on a Yacht”
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When I wrote that on my Facebook on the morning of my shoot, a good friend of mine who’s also in the industry commented: “Wow, your life certainly doesn’t suck!” The thing is, these shoots are what we work so hard for so long to obtain! And what a perfect day it was for our Chanel shoot! Blue skies, crystal seas and a crew that was both talented and fun, this was one of my favorite shoots this past year! Oh and did I mention Chanel? If you know me at all, you know how much J’aime Chanel!
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Sally, the fashion editor for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, was totally on point with the styling for this shoot! Must be that impeccable taste she has that makes me adore her so much! She put together the pieces and accessorized them in a pure and simple manner which just read EXQUISITE. And our gorgeous model, Iga, was the perfect muse for this editorial, possessing both beauty and intelligence. Well poised, charming and articulate, she was everything a “Chanel” girl represents! We had 9 people on a fairly small yacht, so logistically we had to pick our angles and shots carefully. Clothing was kept in the master bedroom suite, equipment was stored in the dining/living area and I had to position myself securely while shooting some of the shots so I wouldn’t fall overboard! While I don’t care about taking a splash in the Persian Gulf, there is no way I’m going to take a camera overboard with me. So given the difficulties in shooting on a small yacht while racing across the Persian Gulf proved complicated, this is another lesson in how team effort is so important to pulling a shoot off successfully. The boat was rocking and sea sickness was seeming to become contagious. I got what felt like heat stroke at one point and had to sit down in between shots. But the team pulled through! Someone held me while I shot ( I can’t even remember who, now, but I remember someone holding my legs while I was shooting Iga on the bow of the yacht ). Tyler was racing back and forth between where I was shooting and the equipment to grab a filter or a different sized reflector so he grew some sea legs on this shoot! I don’t think he even fell! Kudo’s to Tyler!! Whoever was in sight and could manage to get to the model while the boat was racing, was helping out with the shoot. It was a perfect collaboration! Chanel had two girls from the Paris office who not only brought Parisian chocolate, they jumped in and helped with the shoot.
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Voilá……….the pictures tell the story of team effort, perfect collaboration and with a little bit of resourcefulness and a lot of pitching in with no ego and attitude, any shoot can be accomplished! Thanks to everybody who participated in this shoot. I shot the whole story on the Nikon D3 with the 85mm lens. tje 50mm and the 24mm. We used a ND filter and a polarizing filter to get rid of the flare from the bright reflections off the very white yacht and the sun lit sea. We used a lens hood as well to keep the flare off the lenses. We used reflectors on some shots and we mixed flash with natural light on other shots. Shutter speeds ranged between 200 sec to 640 sec keeping the F stop around F8.
All Images © Melissa Rodwell Photography | 2011
Absolutely gorgeous and very well done on controlling the high contrast ratio! You work is stunningly beautiful!
Definitely a fav of mine as well! Sea sickness has nothing on us!
Amazing shoot! And totally agreed on the part you say that with team work and no attitude any shoot can be accomplished. As I mention on your facebook, you are an inspiration for us, fashion photographers with less experience. Thanks 4 sharing! Congrats.
Stunning captures, Melissa!
gorgeous.. the wardrobe is indeed to die for! Channel forever!
Fantastic color and I love the depth and space in the shots. Great job guys!
Just beautiful!
Awesome editorial … the blues are phenomenal! I love the last picture the best – it captures a certain Je ne sais quoi that totally fixates my attention. And the description of you shooting on the boat is priceless. (I’ll be carrying the vision of you potentially falling overboard, yet somehow saving the camera, in my head with much humor throughout the day!)
Channel love it……Stunningly Beautiful!Great Job ; )
no one can get hotter than this.. oh la la!!!! brava!!!
All the pictures are so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
Reflective mirrors are great!
I don’t like the sun, boats, or large bodies of water but I love this set.
Ooo lalalala Chanel! Model is perfectly primped, posed and poised. Love it!
The lighting in this is my favourite part. It really conveys the warmth of the locale with just a hint of ocean breeze that perfectly flatters both the clothing and the model. Brava.
Great shoot and wonderful information. Oh, to live vicariously.
Awesome stuff! Next time, just to avoid sea sickness you could get a prescription (or buy over the counter in canada) for Transderm. Patches you simply apply behind the hear….and you won’t feel a thing. I used them before and they work wonders
My mom swears by Bonine for motion sickness, 24 hr chewable tablets. I used to take those all the time but my doctor didn’t want me taking them every day. So I bought those acupressure wristbands for touring and they work perfectly. Still use em instead of pills whenever I fly, I just wish I knew they came in black before I bought the grey pair. Ha!
How sunburnt were you all after a day on the water? I don’t imagin how the model could wear sunscreen. The pictures are worth it though!
Less dark and moody than some of your other work and I like it. A lot. There’s still a hint of edgy there though (esp. the first one), which gives it a personal touch.
Melissa,
I have to shout and say, I’m totally in love with these!!! Immensely gorgeous and subtlety beautiful. And you managed to not photograph the model’s head coming out of the water (such cliche photo I see these days). lol! i’m sharing it with all of my fashion network as inspiration for them to get as amazing as you. Sending you diva love and wishes! cheers, krystal, chief diva
Love it
I would love to say something arty but all I can think is what an amazing pair of legs!!
Very beautiful lightning, cool.
Not the easiest assignment by any means – lots of potential constraints – close quarters limiting angle of view, a moving and unstable platform, challenging contrast ratios – Mellissa you are a true pro – superb execution.
Thank you for sharing and creating what has to be the numeo uno blog in this field globally.
great job, beautiful models and lets face it an amazing location.
stunning!!! always inspiring!
perfect! love every shot and the information! I’m so glad for you!
kOoL ! what kind of flash ? thnx..
I love that black and white long dress, looks really glamorous against the water!
As always, beautiful work! I’d love to assist you one day.
As always, beautiful work! It’s great how you always talk about your team and give thanks to everyone that helps out. I’d love to assist you one day.
Great job, love the postproduction on it too.
Lovely images, I love the one wearing blue. She looks gorgeous! Job well done.