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A product of my environment

I'm not a boob guy actually and I'd prefer a teeny natural pair over a nice augmented worthy-of-a-magazine-cover any day. In fact I'd take Tina Fey with her cute smile over any of those girls in this years Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, I kid you not...

A week ago one of my very young Models (I still find it weird saying "my models" by the way...) expressed her wishes of possibly doing some Implied Nudes and maybe for the first time in my very short quasi Modeling Photography Career, I had said something somewhat inappropriate in response. "You know when doing implied nudes they tend to uhmm pop out..." a response I immediately regretted for obvious reasons. I try to always treat these situations professionally but I've always feared a day would come and I'd slip up (God forbid). But to somewhat of a surprise she reacted with a very nonchalant "Oh i know..." I swear some days I just stop at think at how I even got to this (I would either shake my head in astonishment and laugh, or, well, shake my head in astonishment and laugh LOL) . It's been quite surprising in all honesty. I mean there was never any intent to shoot any kind of modeling. In fact when I picked up my DSLR and the rather pricey Canon 70-200mm F/4 L Lens (months after the DSLR) the plan was to shoot raw street candids. Unfortunately and quite interestingly shooting the streets for me did not come as easily and naturally as the models did. A good pal of mine the amazing Bradford (my inspiration to street shots) had to hold my hand and show me the ropes. Something I'll forever be grateful to him about... Despite possessing plenty of inspiration I seemed to have lacked the motivation and the all important technique. I couldn't say the same though with model photoshoots. I just sort of winged it. In fact the only real trouble I ever had was finding a model to agree to shoot with me with my lack of experience to show for. But once I had it going it seemed to be academic...

Perhaps it is a testament to my controlling nature? Not that I am a control freak (I certainly am not...) but I've always found it easier to thrive when I have some control over things. Let me expound on that a little... Raw Street Photography by its nature is an ever changing environment. It is dynamic. The Photographer more often than not is under the mercy of ambient lighting and shadow and people milling about. "A product of the environment" to quote Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson in The Departed). The beauty and genius of street photography of course is just that... plus the elements, the unexpected, the unsuspecting, and best of all the colorful and oh so interesting characters that abound (Especially Downtown L.A.). In direct contrast the environment can be a product of the Model Shoot. Get me? Act accordingly...

A product of my ineptitude to shoot raw street candids (If you haven't figured it out...) led me to these model photoshoots. So I must thank the merciless environment and perhaps Frank Costello as well. It led me to it because of its innate nature -control-. You see I have a say over almost everything when it comes to these things. Location, time, lighting, makeup & wardrobe, and most importantly manipulation of the subject. Not that I was ever an expert at it (In fact i knew nothing about em'). The point is, I figured, with my desire to control coupled with a somewhat experienced model or an aspiring one who loves to be in front of a camera, I could possibly do some magic. Well at least that was the fundamental idea...

So boobs. How did we get to boobs if I'm not such a boob guy? Well because there is art in nudity and implied nudity, wouldn't you agree? I like to think that my implied stuff is proof of my progression and not just something I wanted to do (That is true believe or not!). I like to tell my new models that while "cute and pretty" sells "edgy and sexy" sells much better. And the benefit to me as a Photographer if nothing else is variety and diversity in my portfolio. Yes sure I keep saying this is only a hobby (and probably will remain so...) but that doesn't mean I will not be trying new things...

Progression... I have a need to add some nudity on my Portfolio. No not your raunchy smut kind but classy and artsy of course (always...). And if you know me personally then you'd know I've already got something in the works...

In the mean time here are some of my Raw Street Shots taken in Downtown L.A.

View the rest here

Posted by: Marc Gabay
Friday, February 27, 2009