Monochrome

Sky Roots

*Sky Roots*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Chris

I really love the inverted treetop portraits. The effect is so subtle and so striking at the same time…

Skin & Branch

*Skin & Branch*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Lia

I’m continuing my experimentations with branches as textures. The feel of these shots is very different, obviously, because you don’t have a continuous texture to work with. Exposure is key and I don’t necessarily have it entirely sussed out, but I like the results of some of these shots, including this one.

Green Stare

*Green Stare*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Chris
Texture: ?

 More face focused experimentation, enabled by the recently acquired macro lens. Not that this is macro, but minimal focusing distance on my 50mm would not let me frame a shot like this. I really like this approach, with the texture mostly visible at the back of the face and the features facing the light and less textured.

Drowned in Leaves

*Drowned in Leaves*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4
Model: Lia
Texture: Syngonium podophyllum

While not technically a black background shot, this feels like one because I used the macro lens to focus exclusively on Lia’s face. The lighting creates the texture imprint. I quite like this, a bit more abstract than what I might have done before and a lot more chaotic, like the black background shots often are.

Leafy Muscles

*Leafy Muscles*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Chris
Texture: Cyathea spinulosa

Ever since I started shooting Chris I had this idea of taking advantage of his well defined musculature for a shot. I wasted a great shot on a previous roll because it was the one but last of the roll, and due to my process that shot is often compromised by light leaks, but with this one I got something interesting. The dense and structured fern like foliage (it’s actually a small tree) works really well, I’m going to have to revisit that one too.

Behind these hands

*Behind these hands*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Lia
Texture: Foliage

For some reason, Lia loves this pose, but until now I’d not really managed to make it work. This inverted treetop was the winner though, I think. She’s so bubbly and enthusiastic that the best photos (I feel) are always  the ones where her shiny personality glows through. Fitting for a project called Photosynthesis, I suppose.

Natural Fight!

*Natural Fight!*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Chris
Texture: Adiantum raddianum

 I only did a few shots of my model’s hands on this session a couple of weeks back, it was a trial more than anything. I find it amazing how expressive hand gestures alone can be. Definitely an avenue to explore further.

Zebra Profile

*Zebra Profile*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Chris
Texture: Tradescantia zebrina

 I’m assuming the Zebrina and this plant’s name refers to zebras. I really like these leaves, they don’t look of this world, actually. I started doing these close up profile shots with strong textures. Need to work on a more directional lighting solution, but already I’m getting some cool results!

Palms on the Back

*Palms on the Back*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Lia
Texture: Zamia pumila (?)

Although I haven’t gone full macro on the plant textures yet, I think this shot shows the potential of that approach. Instead of seeing the outline of the plant, you see the structure of it. This is a large fern leaf, so macro wasn’t necessary. I need to take some time to gather the right textures for more macro though. I love how the spine of the leaf follows Lia’s spine. I kinda knew what I was doing, but it’s very satisfying when it comes out right!

 

Mossy Palms

*Mossy Palms*
Canon EOS300 + Ilford FP4+
Model: Chris
Texture: ?

Part of the fun with the new setup is exploring the possibilities of the macro lens. Now I likely could have done this same shot with a regular lens, but having the macro on pushed me to get closer. I really like the look of the fern like texture (I need to revisit that spot to take a clean shot of the texture in order to find its name). So far my attempts to shoot much closer have not been successful, but this is an inspiring start.