August 12, 2016

Gary Breckheimer in the city


You may find Gary Breckheimer at his official site, Model Mayem, World of the Nude Art, Fine Art Photo, his book "Naked City" at Blurb, his interview.







"Upward"











"The inviable woman"











"Nobody walks in LA"











"Left For"











"Holland tunnel"



August 7, 2016

Yuri Bonder, in loving memory



When I asked him the permission to publish him, he told me yes without delay. And he liked. Yuri Bonder was a renowned Master I'll never forget.








  • " The main thing is the desire to photograph, this feeling which eats you, like a disease. If I don't photograph, I feel myself ill."







"N Nude"





"One"






"Rain"





"Autumn"





"In a Road"



















August 3, 2016

So you want to hire a live Model ?, by Warren Brown



An article by Warren Brown,
Photographer from Australia.
Contributing Editor and Artist since a long long time ;)



" I sometimes get requests on how to go about finding and treating live models. So here's some (non exhaustive) advices on how to make things run smoother when you hire a live model."








"Stairway of Life"
Art Model Lady Sio










"Free Me"
Art Model Believe-Hope







" Some of you will know my work from the art nude photographic category. I sometimes get requests on how to go about finding, and treating, live models. So here's some advice on how to make things run smoother when you hire a live model.



Bear in mind that the following is offered as advice only.


I'll point out now that this isn't a guarantee of getting a model to work for you. These things have worked for me, and others, here in Australia. There may be local laws you should check in your area before asking a model to pose for you. This isn't legal advice, nor is it established practice. I'm not a lawyer, please don't treat this as advice from such.










"Inner Strength"










"I Want To Be Free"
Art Model Roxy












"Of Steel and Grace"
Art Model Roxy











First off, one of the things a model (and this applies to males and females) wants to know is WHO are you ?

Remember, many internet models get lots of sleazy enquiries, and there are some really weird folks out there who can pass themselves off as being semi-professional. Be prepared to say who you are, e.g. "I'm a part time photographer, but I work day to day as a pastry chef."



Next thing is how much are you paying ?


Most models have fixed rates that can vary from $50 to $200 per hour for artistic nude work if you've got that in mind. Will you be paying in cash ? Can the model cite or show your work in her portfolio ? Are you prepared to pay a deposit up front ? And no- you can't "owe it to them". Payment on the day BEFORE you start work is the norm.
If you’re lucky, you’ll find a model who may model just for the art, with just a few dollars to cover expenses… but this isn’t common, so don’t expect it. And don't offer them $200, and then decide to pay half that if you don't get what YOU want. Set a fee and stick to it.










"Kindred Spirit"
Art Model Niansa










"Force of Nature"
Art Model Ava Adorne










"Gaia Dreaming"
Art Model Niansa










"Time is Ours"
Art Model Niansa





Another thing that many will want to know is are you established ? Do you have a portfolio they can view ?

Are any of your works on exhibition, or have they won prizes ? What this means is basically are you serious about what you're doing, or are you just looking for an excuse to get the model alone somewhere ?



Don't blame the model for being cautious - most of them have been burned plenty of times by sleazebags. YOU have to prove you're NOT one of the sleazy characters.


If you don't have a portfolio, don't despair - say so ! Tell the model that you're new at photographing or sculpting from a real person. Many of the models I know are quite keen to help out folks if they can, but you must say what you expect them to do beforehand.

If you want the model to pose in a cloak with arms folded, say so ; if you want them to pose naked in a bathtub full of ice cream, tell them ! Above all, don't say beforehand "you'll be fully clothed, dressed as Batgirl" and when they arrive, say "Oh, I think this would work better with you in your underwear, would you mind ?" They'll walk out the door, and won't come back. Be prepared to give references as well. If you don't have any in the sculpting / modelling industry, try your boss at work !









" Blue Day"
Art Model Niansa










"Hommage to the Self"
Art Model Candace

Note of Chris : I love it !










" Equilibrium"
Art Model Niansa












"A Spirit At Rest"
Art Model Sutha




Give the model whatever safeguards they require.


For example, if they want to meet you a few days beforehand for coffee, why not ? It gives both of you a chance to say hi and discuss ideas. If they want to bring a chaperone or a friend, give it serious consideration ! I've worked with several models who have brought chaperones, and while they make some folks uncomfortable, I've never once had a problem.


Remember, a model who is relaxed and at ease will work so much better for you.







"World Of Tension"
Art Model Berenice Dorei










"Between the Light and Darkness"






Other things - Where will you be working ?

If it's your home studio, be prepared to give out your address before the day. I don't know of too many models who would agree to be picked up by someone then taken to a place where no-one knows where they are. Be prepared to provide a verifiable home or studio phone number and street address, regardless if you are working at home, studio, or out on location. If it’s a studio, make sure the studio / room is well heated - you don't want the models goosebumps to show on your shots, do you ? And a model who is freezing cold won't hold a pose for long. Likewise if it's a hot day, have the airconditioning going.










"Lazy Days"
Art Model Zoe










"Shadow On The Wall"
Art Model Haywire C










" One World"









Most models advertise what services they offer
,


such as nude, lingerie, fashion, etc. ; ask them to do something they don't do, such as nude work, not only gets you a refusal, but gets you branded as sleazy. Word gets around very quickly - the rumour mill is faster than a broadband connection !








"Catch My Heart"
Art Model Niansa












Make sure the model has somewhere private to change,

and have a robe on hand for them to slip into when they're on breaks. You may be paying them to pose for you, but they aren't there for you to perve on, no matter how much you're offering them.


And bear in mind that unless you're working with "life models" who often pose for art classes, most models can't hold a pose for more than a few minutes.


Even with life models, give them a break every fifteen minutes, and have coffee / tea / cold drinks / juice etc. available for them. (Hint : I haven't met a model yet who didn't love chocolate !)









"Coming Out Of The Dark"












"The Escape"
Art Model Roxy









 













Important : don’t offer your model alcohol !

It will probably give the impression that you’re trying to get them drunk, which will brand you as a sleazebag.

Do NOT engage a model who is under legal age in your area !


And if you're not sure, check the model's ID to ensure this ! Regardless of how many friends / chaperones, etc. they say they'll bring, DON'T DO IT !











" Shame On You"
Art Model Audrey Lynn











"Into The Mist"








If you're engaging a model to pose as Lara Croft or Dracula, tell them how many people they'll be posing for.

If you lead them to believe it's just you, and they turn up to find seven people in the room, don't be surprised if they refuse to work, and hand your money back. Let them know if you're holding a class, or it's just for your own work.









"Contentment"
Art Model Sutha














Finally, if the face of the model is going to be recognisable in the work you're doing, you may need a Model Release
,

which both of you sign otherwise trying to sell your work, or exhibit it anywhere other than in your portfolio, may be illegal ! Again, check your local laws. Samples of these model releases are available on the Internet, use your favourite search engine and type in "model release" to get a few. If you're going to adopt a model release, get it checked over by a good lawyer first. Laws in Australia differ from other countries, and they vary from state to state.

Oh yeah - make sure the name the model puts on the release is her real and legal name. Many models (quite sensibly) use a pseudonym for dealing with people over the internet.










"Worship of the Sun"
Art Model Anj



I suppose what all of this boils down to is BE HONEST AND OPEN in your dealings with models, and TREAT THEM DECENTLY.









"A Last Goodbye"
Art Model Zoe













If you hit on the model, embarrass them, ridicule them, or act sleazy, you not only may never get another one to work with you (the grapevine among models is incredible) but you may also get a visit from the local Police, and deservedly so.





REMEMBER : To have someone turn up and pose for a total stranger is a very courageous act.

If you're a relative unknown, the first time most models work with you, many will want to bring a friend or chaperone, or will ask for references to make sure you're on the level. Be ready to provide them !




I hope this is of some use to folks out there.
Like I said, this should be taken as a guide only !"






"Time after Time"
Art Model Nsaia










"The Colour Of Life"



July 28, 2016

In Time of Trouble




My lovely friend Ms James again, I do owe her a debt as a friend, and as an artist in trouble. About 2 years after my stroke, I was wondering if I still had it in me to do my art anymore. She came down to work with me to give me the chance to have a live model working with me. I was rusty as hell, and the issues with my hand control was not what I wanted it to be. But, I was a gracious host plying her with wine in abundance, and food so she wouldn’t have any unfortunate meeting with law. Friend to friend she was there for me, and that meant the world to me. Thanks Ms James.

Remember to visit my page to see more of my work.  


July 24, 2016

A wonderful team : St Merrique and Adrian Holmes



St Merrique works so much with so many great photographers that I was unable to choose the most beautiful photographs, they all are, in her blog that she often feeds with grace and simplicity.

So, after 4 hours of pure admiration,  I decided to show you her infinite talent with Adrian Holmes, an Art Photographer I recently met on Facebook. As you will see, the result of their work is simply splendid. So much beauty still gives me hope in humanity.



Do I still need to present St Merrique ? She is my close friend, she is splendid, she has a beautiful soul :

" I'm a nature girl and am passionate about anything that represents growth, change, and enlightenment to the higher self. Being at one with Earth and giving back the love she has given us, going back to our roots, self-realization, birth, reincarnation, death and rebirth, the thinner lines between surrealism and the coffee we stir every morning. Don't forget yourself."


I love her from the bottom of my heart. Since 8 years, all our messages are full of tenderness and joy. She is on my wall with the song she wrote for me... Look at up right above my books. She wanted to visit me this summer in Marseille, France, but she is so busy. One day perhaps, but soon my Muse because I'm beginning to open my wings, il est venu le temps des mots de lumière, des mots aux ailes déployées.


If you discover  St Merrique, what is impossible, you will find all of her in the 10 articles I wrote with her.



By David Le Beck, I miss you, rip
"The Secret Life of Arabia"





But who is Adrian Holmes




A kind man I am very honored to introduce. Thank you Adrian for your ok! which touched me.
"Photography is my passion. It is my medium for expression and my method of sharing my view of the world around me. 
My specialities include: portraits, fine art, architectural (interiors and exteriors).
I have been influenced by many of the well known photographers and artists from the past and present. Annie Leibovitz, Andreas Gursky, Helmut Newton and Richard Avedon are amongst my favourites. My greatest inspiration however, comes from simply observing the world around me, the natural world in particular. 
I currently provide professional services to a wide range of clientèle, from private/commercial portrait bookings to architects and interior designers. I work with a fantastic team of assistants and digital artists, which allows me to expertly complete commissions both large and small."






"Depicting the nude human form in art is not new, it is as old as art itself. One of my favorite lines regarding nudity comes from an episode of Seinfeld . When the subject of female vs. male nudity comes up, Elaine (I’m paraphrasing) compares the female form to “a work of art” while comparing the male form to “an SUV”. I found that not only funny, but quite poignant.
My photographs are stories of an appreciation for women, as well as a study of the beauty of form and light.




A unique Exhibition