http://www.flarecompetition.com/

If you have been following my blog or even if you’re new and have only read a few posts, you should know by now how important I believe lighting is when it comes to photography. I am a huge lighting “geek”. So when Michelle Black and Jessica Price wrote to me and asked me to be one of the judges for a new competition that they were launching showcasing dramatic lighting, I immediately accepted. Both Michelle and Jessica have been loyal followers of The Fashion Photography Blog and we’ve exchanged a few emails back and forth as well. They are genuine girls, running a photo studio in Ohio, working hard on the studio, it’s  business and their individual photography.  I admire them both for their determination and hard work.  And I see it paying off because both women are great shooters! Michelle Black is driven by her desire to document and conceptualize aesthetic depictions of remembrance, reflection, and existence. She says, “I thrive on inspiring others to create from the heart in any way I can. I am far beyond blessed to do what I do!” To view Michelle Black’s website, go here! She also runs a great blog called Light-Traces!  Jessica Price runs her own portrait photography business, Bella Valentina Photography as well as sharing a wedding photography business with Michelle called Allura Modern. Jessica does on location and in studio portrait work offering artistic images for Seniors, Children, Families, Musicians, Models, and commercial assignments.

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A Behind The Scenes Look on a Recent
Spring Fashion Shoot

The assignment was to shoot an editorial for Genlux Magazine for their Spring Fashion Issue and the theme was Travel. I love black and white and since I was to shoot “pieces” for this issue, I thought black and white would tell the story well. “Pieces” are just that! The skirt or the jacket or the shirt as oppose to dramatic, lavish evening gowns. Stephen loved the idea and so we went ahead and prepped the shoot. We decided that we were going to shoot this story in a studio where I could control my lighting. We used Jelly from Ford Models who I have to say is just the best model! I love the way she moves and her attitude, plus she’s just a knockout! I used my Nikon D2Xs camera with my 85mm lens on all the shots. I used two lights only. Profoto 2400 pack with one light with a beauty dish with a grid and the other light had a medium Chimera soft box on it. The light with the soft box was place to the left of the model and the beauty dish was raised high and the head was lowered to hit Jelly’s face with the perfect amount of light. I used the grid to be able to direct the light right where I wanted it.

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Making Denim Look Sexy

© 2009 Melissa Rodwell Photography

I have said this before and I’ll say it again: fashion photography is about photographing fashion. If you can’t make the clothes look amazing, you can’t shoot fashion. Of course, all of the other elements have to be there. Great model, great hair and make up. But we are hired to shoot the clothes by the designers and manufacturers, magazines and art directors. So if the clothes don’t look GREAT,  you’re basically not shooting fashion. You’re shooting model pictures. One way to conquer photographing fashion is to understand fashion. In another post I wrote called  Styling and Fashion 101 I spoke about reading up on the history of fashion and costume design. I recommended some books, just to give you a strong base in communicating with clients. And to understand how fashion has evolved and how it mimics our social and political status. What is one of the most  important elements to a garment? The FABRIC.  What is your job then? You need to undestand how to LIGHT the fabric in order to make that garment look incredible! So everyone that sees your photograph wants to buy those clothes. That’s why you’ve been hired. To make those garments SELL.

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Learn about Fashion Photography!

We were all set to do a seminar in Tulsa, Oklahoma next month and the Board of Education shut us down! Can you believe that? Oh well, what does someone like me do when there’s a bunch of bureaucratic red tape? We re-route, switch it up and decide to hold one in my own home town! And that’s what we’ve decided to do! The weekend of July 11 and July 12, we are holding a two day workshop/seminar specifically targeted to shooting fashion.

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Anyone Out There Want to Intern with Us?

UPDATE: THE INTERN POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

The time has come! We are just too busy to mange it all! My priorities of shooting and writing for this blog are taking a second seat sometimes because of the little things that need to get done. I have needed a personal assistant for a long time but have put it off, thinking I can handle it! The truth is, I can’t. Either can David, my husband and partner. What would the job entail? Anything from helping me prep a shoot, running errands, second or third assisting on a shoot, returning emails, walking my dog. Yeah, just being around to do the smaller stuff that I simply don’t have enough time in the day to get done. We live in a beautiful house in the Hollywood Hills, just a stones’ throw from the famous Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Bowl. We actually live right smack in the middle between the Hollywood Sign and the Hollywood bowl. How hip is that? You would be working with us out of our house that has  a great artistic energy and vibe. I would need an intern for 2 days a week, 6 hours each day unless I’m shooting then I would need you at least 8 hours. If you are available 3 days a week, even better.

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