Personal Information:

Name: David Vincent Wolf

Explanation: I am just getting back into photography after a 12-year hiatus. This is one of the images from my second test since starting to shoot again. It’s painful to think I spent over a decade sitting behind a desk, when I could (should?) have been out shooting instead.

Melissa Rodwell’s Critique: Well, honestly, I was first taken with the picture and then when I went back and read David’s explanation, I was moved by the story. Without saying much more, I can relate. I like the shot, though. I like the model a lot and the styling is pretty sweet. The make up and hair are very well done. The lighting is great, though, and what I like best about the photograph. It’s a pretty good execution of lighting in a space like this. I feel the space and get a sense of having “been there” before, which for me, when I look at a photograph, always makes it stand out to me. Welcome back, David. I believe you should be out shooting and not sitting behind a desk.

Personal Information:

Name: Gonzalo Corrado

Explanation: I tend to make a conscious and detailed preparation for every shooting I make. I go through styling, hair, makeup, poses, I have the hole picture in my head.
This time was different, the stylists invited me to make the shooting as they thought it would be perfect for me, I didn´t chose neither the model or location.
Suddenly everything was in it´s place, we wanted a natural look, so I used natural lightning most of all, and we simply let it flow.
And we all loved the result.
Model: Florencia Salvioni
Styling: Carolina Rosello / Maria Abelardo

Melissa Rodwell’s Critique: I really love the natural ease of this shot. The model’s relaxed smile and the soft and sensual emotion that Gonzalo captured with her is wonderful. I also am a huge fan of using natural light, it gives such a beautiful quality to the image. I like how Gonzalo worked with what he was given, sometimes that happens where you have this whole idea before you shoot of exactly how you want it to look but half way through the shoot, that idea goes out the window and you have a completely different shoot as your result! I like how he nailed that. The model is great, she obviously knows how to emote and most important: the fabric is gorgeous! Gonzalo did a great job shooting the fabric with natural light. I also love that this shot was not overly retouched! It’s so nice to see a fashion photograph that has that precise moment quality to it. Great job, Gonzalo!

Personal Information:

Name: Bagrad Badalian

Explanation: I tried to create a dark, film look for this shoot. The way to achieve that was working with film light and no flashes. You control your lighting more precisely.

Photography : me
Styling : Geoffrey Masure
For “Together Magazine”

Melissa Rodwell’s Critique: Well, I guess it’s pretty obvious that I really like Bagrad’s work. I think he’s won a few times before. Honestly, though, I felt like this was the strongest shot submitted. I absolutely love the lighting. Always a fan of “less is more”, the mood captured is so seductive. I love the color as well in this shot. The model’s hair and make up is great, as is the styling. I like how the pattern on the dress emulates the pattern of light on the wall behind her. The picture does indeed have a film essence to it, and I always am inspired myself by films. Bagrad, you keep knocking ‘em out! Great work!

Personal Information:

Name: Karim Parris

Explanation: I wanted to step away from studio lighting and do a fashion shoot using just available light. To challenge myself to do a more fluid fashion shoot I made the shoot as simple as possible by only focusing on the shirt, accessories and light. The lamp created the right ambiance while still managing to show off the fabric pattern properly. I thought this was one of the better composed shots from the set.
Model: Cassidy Barker
Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
Lighting: Tungsten lamp on floor

Melissa Rodwell’s Critique: This shot stood out for me. I really LOVE that Karim took a chance and stepped out of his usual norm of studio lighting to incorporate available light. To me, the magic in photography happens when we do something that we’re not used to doing, or see something in a different way that at first might feel uncomfortable but the results are beautiful! The fabric in the shirt is shot beautifully and yes, Karim’s use of the light is the direct result of this. Less is more, that’s my motto, and Karim created mood and emotion by using less blaring obvious light and incorporating soft, ambient light, placed on the floor. Excellent job at going against the norm, Karim. Keep it up!!

Personal Information:

Name: Michelle Moore

Explanation: I was very excited when Portland, OR makeup artist Amy Gillespie contacted me last minute saying she would be in Seattle the following weekend. We have been trying to work together for a few years, and I jumped at the chance. We put together a beauty concept in less than a week. I wanted there to be a blue background, and the makeup to cover beige’s and magenta’s for Spring 2010. We used fog and lighting to emulate a soft spring look and I’m thrilled with the final result!

Melissa Rodwell’s Critique: I never read the explanation before I look at the image and the first thing I noticed with Michelle’s shot is that she obviously has been keeping up with the current trends in fashion because of the nail color she used. She is right: she used colors that we are seeing for the Spring 2010 editorials and campaigns. I love the use of fog and lighting to create the soft spring look. The model is beautiful, she has a very sensual look and knows how to emote it. I also love the wardrobe Michelle chose for this shot, it works with the girl, the lighting and the concept. Michelle should be thrilled with the final result! It’s a stunning shot!