UV Session 4 - Our Mermaid, Malorie

Certainly, it was my intention to give the previous post a fair amount of time at the top of the website, but not this much. The dilemma being that the communities and the networks are on social media so, as much as I have much greater control over the final appearance of everything here on my site, the action takes place on Facebook and Instagram, with Twitter bringing up third place. Once again, I prefer the format here where I can tell my story, where people can skim by what I have to say if they wish to. Often on social media the photos take center stage to the extent that often what the poster has to say is completely missed.

But I will start catching up with this post from the second ultraviolet photo shoot with Malorie Thomson all the way back from March 25.

 

   

 

 

When Malorie arrived, covered in gems and vibrant colours, I knew that we were in for an incredible day with some stunning results. Once we got her illuminated by only the black lights it was tough to take our eyes off of the glowing face and hair before us. I cannot express enough how impressed I always am with Jennilee's work. If you need outstanding makeup done I highly recommend her. The link to her page is at the bottom of the post, but check out Vamp Make-up if your need is unique. But, book early because she is pretty busy, and rightly so.

 

   

 

 

Unfortunately, I did not read the instructions on the reactive contact lenses used in the previous session with her. Because they were not stored properly, the contact dried out and were not safe to use any longer. I had plans for my other pairs, and thought about opening a second set for her, but am satisfied with the way her eyes looked because of the incredible makeup and the inky blackness that matches the whole underwater theme. As well, I Incorporated small kisses of light to illuminate her costume and those also served to bring her eyes out from the darkness, in the photos that the additional light was used.

 

   

 

 

After a few experiments, one including my favourite Rapella that I remember saving up for two by when I was about 11 or 12, we did a few close-ups and then moved into the real plan for the shoot.

 

   

 

 

I cannot take credit for the incredible styling of her wardrobe. My plan was to shoot to imply the mermaid with the tail. Thankfully, we had enough material and the creative work of Gerald and Julia, once again my assistants, to make a fabulous tail for Malorie. We weren't entirely certain what she was going to wear. A turquoise pair of backdrops that used to be a cover for a display easel that we toted with us to a variety of craft and art shows when I tried selling prints on the circuit did just fine. Of course, regular material like that did not reveal itself under black light, but that never stopped me from lighting it to give it the appearance I wanted.

 

   

 

 

All of those factors, the makeup, wardrobe, lighting, bequeathed giant clamshell, aquarium gravel, painted rubber ball from the dollar store, accompanied by plastic balls and three street hockey balls and an old fishing lure came together to make some pretty magical photos.

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

Once again, none of it would have been possible without the many hands that were there to make things happen quickly and smoothly, and bring my ideas to life.

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

There is more to come. I have a number of great ideas that I would love to see become reality. That said, I don't want to be known as a one-trick-pony and do have some other fine non-UV work to share, in the near future. As well, the trees are in bloom and I need to get out shooting this week, before that short-lived beauty disappears on us.

 

   

 

 

Model: Malorie Thomson
MUA: Jennilee Cardinal-Schultz of Vamp Make-up and Edon Garland
Hair: Malorie, sprayed by MUA
Agency: Infinity Management

UV Session 3 - Malorie Thomson

   

 

I'm hooked. It's as simple as that. Every time we complete another one of these ultraviolet sessions I am astounded by the results. As with any work most photographers do, they grow tired and jaded of looking at the photos over the long term. When you spend hours working on them they lose their impressiveness and that's what I found with the past black light shoots. I still loved the results, but they weren't as amazing when you stared at them for a long period of time.

 

   

 

The amazement returns the minute you see your model walk-in, with another round of amazing makeup, and creating more magic begins anew.

   

 

Missy Makeover was booked up and I'm very happy that Mark Tiu was able to refer us to Jennilee of Vamp Make-up, who did a beautiful job on Malorie. The fine work of Mel Corkum from Alchemy Clothing and Salon on the hair was the final touch to complete the entire costume which was a wonderful delight to see glowing before our eyes.

 

   

 

I was very grateful for the help from Gerald Murray and his girlfriend, Julia. Those extra sets of hands, especially another woman for wardrobe adjustments, are not just handy, but essential for the things that I am physically unable to do. I am grateful for the people who have made these shoots possible and I am happy to organize and share the opportunity to participate in a shoot like this.

 

   

 

For the photo below, I was glad to have an opportunity to once again work with my gift from Angie this Christmas, my Lensbaby with the Sweet 35 optic. It's a tool and not to be abused, but for one fine shot I'm quite pleased with the result. However, it is a manual focus only lens and in a pitch black garage with only the UV fluorescence it was tricky to nail that focus in the sweet spot.

 

   

 

Without question, the most complex photo was the absolute best shot of the day, once again not possible without Julia running the smoke machine. When I bought that little thing for its first use at the CPA Help-Portrait event all the way back in 2013, I had no idea that this little tool would be so useful in adding that extra element of uniqueness the way that it has. Without it, I don't think that my favourite self-portrait from last summer would have been all that it was.

 

   

 

The planning for the next two UV shoots are well underway. Unfortunately, we learned that the lifespan of these contact lenses are shorter than indicated so either we need to plan shoots closer together or just consider them single use. No one's vision and eye health is worth risking for some photos. That said, they took the whole shoot to another level and I will be getting my hands on at least a few more pairs to make sure I am stocked because I certainly don't want to go backwards in complexity with these sessions.

 

   

Model: Malorie Thomson

Makeup: Jennilee Cardinal-Schultz of Vamp Make-up

Hair: Mel Corkum of Alchemy Clothing and Salon

Agency: Infinity Management

UV Session 2 - Emma and Olivia

 

   

 

 

Once, again, Melissa Agarand of Missy Makeover put in a solid chunk of time getting Emma and Olivia done up, beautifully, for me to photograph.

 

   

 

 

Top-notch work like hers makes my job so easy. The enthusiasm of Emma and Olivia made directing them into excellent poses very easy.

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

As we all learn and gain experience the process just improves. Learning and discovering is a part of the fun, but consistently applying what has been learned, to produce even better results, makes for even better photos. And that is not just fun but rewarding.

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

With the busyness of the season, and the preparation and planning needed for each of these sessions, I will aim to have another shoot in the early new year. If you are interested, please contact me. I will be putting out a call when the time to begin planning comes. I have plenty of ideas and concepts left and would welcome yours.

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

Help-Portrait 2015 is this Saturday and, for the most part, all the plans are in place. We will be relying a bit on the unknown volunteers, that is, the people who show up wanting to help that we were unaware of before the day comes. I'm not worried that any important roles won't be filled, but sometimes not knowing is the worst part. There will be plenty of hands and plenty of help but that doesn't mean that if you would like to contribute that we would not welcome you and have work for you to do.

Bruce and Karen were on TV this morning. Here is a link to the clip:
http://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=760013

I think they did a great job and am glad that they were willing to put themselves out there. I'm quite happy being an organizer behind the scenes, working on the administrative side of things and helping to do whatever I can to minimize the stress placed on Bruce and all that he has done this year.

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

At times I feel like I need to be more intentional about shooting and making quality work, but lately my plate has felt quite full and I look forward not only to Help-Portrait, but to the sigh of relief once it is concluded. It's always a good time, and very rewarding, but it does take a lot of time and effort that most people don't realize. The well-deserved break on the following week will be earned and I will be happy to spend it planning more work while enjoying good coffee in a cozy and warm office.

 

   

 

 

MUA: Melissa Agarand - Missy Makeover
Models: Emma and Olivia of Infinity Management

UV Session 1 - The Magic of Fluorescence

I've always been fascinated by ultraviolet portraiture. Once I found the models and makeup artists I wanted to work with, and did my homework on how to get the most out of the props and lighting, it came together nicely. So nicely, in fact, second session, with two different models, was done only six days later.

I find it so captivating and that it fits my desire for vibrant and surreal colours in my photos. I see many more shoots like this in my future and welcome any talent that wants to participate in being a part of it.

For a change, I'm not going to commentate, but let the photos do the talking.

Thanks so much to Infinity Management and Missy Makeover for being so enthusiastic about this and being a critical part of this session being successful. Without Bruce Johnson's help, this wouldn't have happened, either!

Models: Colleen A. Shalley and Melissa Agarand

Hair: Colleen A. Shalley
Makeup: Missy Makeover

Photographer: Jay Scott Photography

The behind the scenes time lapse:

All photos on 500px are here.

   

   

 

     

    

     

 

 

    

  

   

 

   

 

    

 

    

 

   

 

 

Nature Can be Tough

 

  Casualty - 1 by Jay Scott on 500px

Nature is not always kind. The spider, posted a few photos previously, has caught a pair of damselflies in its web that I freed but, unfortunately they both died. This dragonfly was caught, seemed in good shape, was freed by me and placed on a flower, but I'm pretty sure it died. I took the opportunity to at least keep it alive as a photo.

It was gone the next day; I could not find it below the flowers. However, I do not believe it survived. Probably a bird came down and had a meal.

 

  Casualty - 2 by Jay Scott on 500px