RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘rest’

Camera Lens Specifications Explained: MM, VR, ED, HSM and the Rest

23 Jul

Camera lens specifications might sound like another language for beginner photographers or those interested in their first purchase of a camera kit. Most of the time people simply don’t know their meanings which is what leads them to make a bad decision when buying a lens. In this article I will define all the camera lens specifications you need to Continue Reading
Photodoto

 
Comments Off on Camera Lens Specifications Explained: MM, VR, ED, HSM and the Rest

Posted in Photography

 

Flat Lay Photography – How to Make Yours Stand Out from the Rest

18 Feb

The post Flat Lay Photography – How to Make Yours Stand Out from the Rest appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Lily Sawyer.

flat-lay-photography

If you’re on social media, you may have come across flat lay photographs. They have become very popular over recent years and can be successful scroll-stoppers on sites such as Instagram when done properly.

What is flat lay photography?

Simply defined, flay lay photography means a photograph where the subject/s are arranged on a flat surface and photographed from above. It is also sometimes called the bird’s eye view.

The surface and the lens are positioned parallel to each other from a vertical distance apart, and therefore, no angles are visible. The surface is flat, and the image shows a singular dimension taken from a parallel position above the surface.

However, this does not mean that your image should look flat. This article will discuss factors that contribute to achieving interesting flat lay photographs without the image looking necessarily flat, especially if that is not your intention.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/2.8 ISO 1000 SS 1/125

What can you shoot in the flat lay style?

Because flat lay photography is a style or a format, you can shoot just about anything! The only consideration is the size of the subject.

If you had a drone camera, for example, then you can shoot landscapes and mansions in a flat lay fashion, much like aerial photography.

However, drone photography is not only limited to aerial photography. You can use a drone to capture normal objects in flat lay format. What is generally available to us are mobile phones and digital cameras, which are small. So they can limit the size of what we can shoot given the vertical distance requirements.

People

You can photograph people lying down on the grass or on the bed from above, and that would be considered flat lay.

Newborns are easier to photograph from this angle because they are small. You can capture their entire bodies plus a background from a short distance, such as the newborn images below.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/4 ISO 1000 SS 1/125 Off-camera flash in a strip softbox to the side and a reflector on the opposite side

Objects

You can photograph just about any object in the flat lay style. Smaller objects grouped into a space together is the simplest way of doing this.

The photo below required very little styling, and I photographed it in a bright and evenly-lit space; hence there are no dominant shadows in the photo.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/1.8 ISO 400 SS 1/160

Food

One of the most common subjects photographed in this style is food. A plateful of food is small enough to snap a picture of so quickly. It often requires minimum styling, especially if you are dining in a restaurant, as often the food is already presented well on the plates.

Instagram is peppered with food photos, both styled and unstyled, and flat lay can add the wow factor without much effort.

The photos below are unstyled and are quick snaps of the food served at a reception. I photographed these indoors with directional on-camera flash as the rooms had little light.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/4 ISO 2000 SS 1/125

Flowers

I love photographing flowers. They are packed with texture and color and offer limitless styling possibilities. The top photo below, I shot on the floor in a hotel room. I wanted to capture the invitations styled with the flowers and needed more distance, so I used a wide-angle lens 24-70 at around 35mm.

Below is a photo of two bouquets taken from the bird’s eye view. These bouquets are fairly big, so I had to stand up and take the shot with the bouquets on the floor.

When taking flat lay photos using a DSLR and a heavy lens, it is quite difficult to keep all the gear steady while shooting straight down without a tripod. This is the reason why I rarely go below 1/125 sec shutter speed when doing so.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/2.8 ISO 1000 SS 1/160

Jewelry

Another one of my favorite subjects to use when photographing flat lay style is jewelry. I love juxtaposing jewels and metallic textures next to soft fabrics of various kinds. The layering of textures injects lots of interest in an image.

This brings us to some tips on how to enhance flat lay images, so they don’t look boring and too flat.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/2.8 ISO 400 SS 1/160

Tips

In my opinion, the handiest and easiest equipment to use when doing flay lay photography is your mobile phone. It’s light, has a versatile lens (which also has a fairly wide-angle), and you don’t even have to set the settings yourself! It’s super easy.

However, some phone cameras are better than others, so you can’t guarantee how good your photos turn out – especially when available light is fairly low.

Lighting

Whatever camera you use, the first, and in my opinion, the most important consideration to take is lighting. Make sure there is ample light, so your subject is well lit. You can opt for a bright and airy look with hardly any shadows, or choose a moodier look using shadows.

I like having directional light that casts some shadows because I feel they add another dimension to an image. The easiest way to check where your dominant light is coming from is to look at where the shadows fall.

On the baby photo below, the room was bright and airy. I positioned the baby on the bed, away from the window. However, the main light comes from a huge window on the left. As you can see, the shadows fall on the right. However, because it is quite a large light source, the shadows are subtle.

dps-how-to-do-flat-lay-photography-successfully

f/4 ISO 800 SS 1/160

I snapped the photos below using natural light coming from a window, but a smaller window this time to achieve a dark moody look.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/2.8 ISO 400 SS 1/160

If you want to eliminate shadows altogether, you can use a reflector opposite the main light to counteract the shadows. Alternatively, use a lightbox to light the space evenly.

Layers

The photo below is a social media advert for a brand. I shot it with a mobile phone that has a mediocre camera. While I have applied a filter to it, both resulted in rather grainy photos. However, they were clear enough for the brand to be happy with them.

In terms of lighting, ample light came from a side window and a velux window above. However, I wanted more of an impact, so I created layers of color and objects.

There’s the dark blue background as the first bottom layer, the fairy lights and decorations on the table as the second layer, the product as the third layer, and finally, hands as the fourth and top layer.

Layering increases the dynamic in a photo and makes it more interesting.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

mobile phone photo

Another way of creating layers is to use a very shallow depth of field. This creates an illusion of infinity for the background.

The below photo is of a rose on a vase with centrally-positioned rings to be the topmost layer of the image. However, you can’t see the surface where the vase sits because of the shallow depth of field and the use of a macro lens. In this case, I used the 60mm and shot at close range, which when using a macro lens, produces background compression and bokeh.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/7.1 ISO 1000 SS/ 1/125

Composition

Composition is of utmost importance as it can make or break a photo.

Every photo has a certain type of composition used in them, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Well-executed composition elevates the level of success of a photo because composition plays a significant role in engaging and connecting with the viewer.

The photo below uses the rule of thirds – one of the simplest yet strongest compositional structures there is. Alternatively, the photo below it shows a centered composition.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/1.8 ISO 400 SS 1/200

It is easier to play around with composition when you have a variety of objects to use. Take the photos below where the labels and invitations were used along with the flowers to create different compositions.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/2.8 ISO 200 SS 1/250

Color and contrast

The key to creating successful visual images when you are limited to a flat lay dimension is color and contrast.

A darker background creates a strong contrast against lighter or brighter objects, thereby allowing enough separation to give an illusion of multi-dimensionality, as shown in the photos below.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/4 ISO 1000 SS 1/200

Where color might be too subtle to create a bold pop, utilize contrast with a variety of textures instead.

As shown in the photos below, delicate flowers lay against a weathered wood grain and pastel-colored invites against rough concrete.

dps-how-to-do-flat-lay-photography-successfully

f/2.8 ISO 200 SS 1/200

Style

There are a plethora of styles you can use when photographing flat lay. Illustrated in the photos below are two opposite styles: elegant and minimalist (top two photos) and homely and maximalist (bottom photo).

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/5.6 ISO 800 SS 1/200

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/ 5.6 ISO 2000 SS 1/160

For website purposes, I shot the photos below as a clean branding style against a seamless white background.

dps-how-to-do-flatlay-photography-successfully

f/5.6 ISO 400 SS 1/125 using off camera flashes

Conclusion

I hope this article has given you ideas on the different ways you can capture an image using the flat lay photography style. Flay lay photography is a super-creative medium – the possibilities are endless. You can achieve some high impact photos if done successfully.

Do you have any other flat lay photography tips you’d like to share? Alternatively, do you have some flat lay photographs you’d like to share? If so, please share them with us in the comments section.

The post Flat Lay Photography – How to Make Yours Stand Out from the Rest appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Lily Sawyer.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on Flat Lay Photography – How to Make Yours Stand Out from the Rest

Posted in Photography

 

Do Cheap Photographers Take Work Away From the Rest of Us?

22 Sep

The post Do Cheap Photographers Take Work Away From the Rest of Us? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Anabel DFlux.

Price tends to be one of the biggest points of contention with photographers. What is too low? What is too high? What’s just right? Running a profitable business is never easy. Whatever price you set, someone will likely have an opinion or two about it (solicited or not). Which leads to the biggest elephant in the room… do cheap photographers who price low take business away from those that price higher?

Do Cheap Photographers Take Work Away From the Rest of Us?

My answer?

No.

And here are 6 reasons why:

1. There is a client for everyone

Do Cheap Photographers Take Work Away From the Rest of Us?

This is business 101 that we often forget (and I am guilty of forgetting sometimes too!). Artists tend to be very emotionally tied to the work and the service provided, and photographers are certainly not exempt from this fact. As such, losing or not obtaining a client can feel like a personal jab even when it has nothing to do with us at all. You have to remember, there is a client for everyone!

This rings especially true in the tumultuous price debate. A client who is focusing on the price will not be looking for an expensive photographer. Likewise, a client who is focusing on high quality will often assume that cheap photographers cannot provide the quality that they seek. A Lamborghini is not concerned over the lower price of a Honda Civic because the Honda Civic buyers are not looking for a Lamborghini.

Alongside this, often price equates to years of experience. Photographers who are brand new may be absolutely fantastic and have beautiful quality images but aren’t able to charge the same as those that are seasoned professionals. Likewise, some clients do value quality work but simply cannot afford a seasoned professional. These two tend to find each other and work together well.

2. Client priorities are not always the same as yours

cheap-photographers-take-work-away

As photographers, we naturally (and rightfully) value professional photographs highly. From capturing memories to creating beautiful new stories, photographs are essential. However, the priorities we hold as photographers may not always ring true for the subjects in front of our lenses.

Some clients would rather invest their money into something else – something that holds more importance to them. Whether you agree or not, that’s not your decision to make. Some clients look for less expensive photographers because their finances are tied into something that they find to hold more worth to them (and thus receive what they have paid for). And that’s okay – let them.

3. Some clients will eventually understand the price versus value point

cheap-photographers-take-work-away

This is something that tends to happen to me often. A client will go to a very low-priced photographer, end up unsatisfied with the experience or the end result, and quickly learn the general value of the price. They then come to me and ask to shoot their concept once more. This does happen quite a bit. This is why staying firm on your policies and pricing is important (and tends to command respect).

Wait, wait.

This is assuming that the low-priced photographer has a quality that doesn’t match that of the higher-priced ones. What if a great quality photographer prices low? Doesn’t that cut into my jobs? 

cheap-photographers-take-work-away

Some photographers have a different business model than the rest – known as the “low price and high turnover model.” This model works on the idea that you charge low, service many, and turn over a profit much like a photographer that charges high and services one.

However, what many don’t see behind the scenes, is the reason this model works is much of the process is automated or simplified. It allows the photographer to have a lower output of effort that matches their price. This service is not individualized, and generally not specifically tailored for the individual. It’s the difference that is similar to “ready-made” versus “custom-made” clothing. But this doesn’t work for all clients. The clients this does work for are likely not your clients if you have a traditional photographic business model.

Many major brands have a high-end and a low-end to their business. Take the car company Toyota, for example. Their high-end line is called Lexus – a luxury brand of car. Their consumer-grade line is just good ol’ Toyota. Both cars are great, hardy, and will get you where you need to go in comfort. A Toyota is not worse than a Lexus. The Lexus is just intended for a different kind of buyer.

Well, now that’s said…how do I justify my price? 

4. Express your value and stand by your worth

cheap-photographers-take-work-away

First and foremost, confidence speaks volumes. If you set a price and are confident about it, stand by your worth and be firm.

That being said, every price needs something to justify it. Show the client what the value in investing in your work is versus someone else’s. Do you do something unique and different? Is your client experience above and beyond what the rest do? What do your years of experience or high-quality gear bring to the table? Do you have any awards or honorable mentions? These are all important topics to cover with your client when explaining what you offer and how much you charge for your offering.

5. Find your demographic and market to them!

cheap-photographers-take-work-away

Marketing is what makes or breaks a business. If people don’t know about you, how can they book you? Marketing is extremely important, especially in the social media age. Marketing is the act of spreading awareness about your business, whether it be through digital advertising, partnering with local businesses, or launching billboards!

If you’re finding that the clients you are marketing to keep choosing a photographer that prices lower than you, that is a big sign that this client base is not the right demographic for you. Demographics are particular sectors of a population that are divided by factors. For marketing purposes, factors tend to be interest, age, location, income, and more.

As a business owner, you need to find the demographic that relates to the service you are offering. Look at income levels that tend to align with your price point, and for clients with interests that may be more aligned with your offering (e.g., pet photographers will look for clients with interest in animals), and age group can also be a big factor. If you’re a family photographer, look for moms and dads, or youth sports – keywords like that!

Remember, you must segment your population based on more than one factor to find the right demographic. Filling out location and interests in the minimum is a good starting point.

6. Stop worrying about what others are doing and charging

Do Cheap Photographers Take Work Away From the Rest of Us?

Everyone has a different ideology when it concerns their business. They use the business model that suits them, dependent on variables you likely do not know about. As such, the running of their service (and what they charge for it) does not apply to you. It’s best to stop concerning yourself with what others are doing and focus on what you are doing for you!

The industry is changing, and society has changed its view on the value of art.

Conclusion

Do Cheap Photographers Take Work Away From the Rest of Us?

You’re not losing jobs because your competitors are cheap photographers, you’re losing jobs because you either haven’t found your right client base or you need to get better at expressing your value.

Focus on your business and what you can improve in your work, and the right clients will come! The world is not as small as it seems; there are thousands of potential clients out there for you.

Do you agree with this or do you think cheap photographers do take work away from us? Or perhaps you have some other valuable points to share? Share them with us in the comments section.

 

cheap-photographers-take-work-away

The post Do Cheap Photographers Take Work Away From the Rest of Us? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Anabel DFlux.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on Do Cheap Photographers Take Work Away From the Rest of Us?

Posted in Photography

 

A Step Above The Rest: 15 Spectacular Modern Staircases

16 Jun

[ By Steph in Design & Fixtures & Interiors. ]

modern stairs pool bridge

Going far beyond their practical function of connecting one level of an interior to the next, these modern staircase designs make a striking statement, often doubling as a sculptural element or offering some other additional purpose. Some act as amphitheater seats, some have built-in gardens and some simply steal the spotlight no matter what else is in the room.

Amphi-Staircase

modern stairs amphista

modern stairs amphi-staircase 2

modern stairs amphi-staircase 1

Inspired by the ‘circles and ovals’ that make up Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, this amphitheater-style staircase stands as the heat of an adult learning center in Denmark by architecture studio CEBRA. The lines of the multi-functional staircase echo those of the curving white balconies that jut out into the atrium at every level.

Glossy Spiral Stairs in a Modular Library

modern stairs glossy library

modern stairs glossy library 2

Soaring 115 feet toward the elevated ceiling, this glossy white building-within-a-building adds a library to a modern medical research center at a Rotterdam hospital. It basically functions like one very big bookcase within the large open space, featuring spiraling staircases on either end.

4-Story Living Staircase

modern stairs planted circle

modern stairs planted circle 2

A garden, tea bar and library can be found within a stunning four-story spiraling staircase by designer Paul Cocksedge at the Ampersand office building for creative technology businesses in London. Designed to encourage interaction between workers, it features a different function at every level, including a small curated selection of books on the first floor. Pick your own mint from the garden boxes along the railing to make tea at a hot water machine once you’ve reached the top.

Floating Staircase in an All-Black Room

modern stairs floating

modern stairs floating 2

The warm wood lining the interior of this floating staircase by Hidden Fortress makes it glow against the black surfaces of a Berlin concept store, giving it the feel of an optical illusion. The maritime pine used throughout the store is left in its natural state upstairs, so the staircase serves as a visual connection to the next level as well as a literal one.

Partially Suspended Staircase

modern stairs partially suspended

modern stairs partially suspended 2

Italian architecture firm Francesco Librizzi Studio suspends most of a white-framed staircase from the stairwell, making it seem as if it’s supported by nothing but the walls. A separate section stands on its own at ground level. The designers were trying to use the stairs as a narrative scheme, asking questions like “Can a staircase tell us that time passes and children grow up?”

Next Page – Click Below to Read More:
A Step Above The Rest 15 Spectacular Modern Staircases

Share on Facebook





[ By Steph in Design & Fixtures & Interiors. ]

[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]


WebUrbanist

 
Comments Off on A Step Above The Rest: 15 Spectacular Modern Staircases

Posted in Creativity

 

Hut Above the Rest: Elevated Cabin for the Athens Skyline

10 Jan

[ By Steph in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

athens rooftop hut 1

Far from its typical location in the woods and other remote places, an archetypal cabin looms over the bustling city of Athens from its rooftop perch two meters above the top of most high-rises. Proposed by Panos Dragonas and Varvara Christopoulo, the elevated urban hut brings a structure with a rural connotation representing quiet and solitude into an environment that’s nearly the exact opposite.

athens elevated cabin 2

Instead of hills and trees, the hut looks out onto a landscape of man-made design. But the designers posit that these urban spaces, busy as they may be, can still provide a space for meditation and peace – as long as you go to extremes.

athens elevated cabin 3

Urbanization has made isolated spaces hard to come by, so the dream of escaping to a cabin in the woods is not as achievable or even idyllic as it once was. This project emphasizes how much the world has changed as our cities have grown, replacing nature with streets, skyscrapers and antennas.

athens elevated cabin 4

The hut is a mere nine square meters (96 square feet) and lacks any modern amenities, offering only a few platforms for sleeping and sitting, much like a camping shelter in the wilderness.

athens elevated cabin 5

“The urban hut creates a voluntary isolation cell over the ruins of the new Great Depression. The hut returns to the city both as a primary form and as a standard of minimum living, and establishes a heterotopia in the stepped skyline of Athens.,” say the architects.

Share on Facebook





[ By Steph in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]


WebUrbanist

 
Comments Off on Hut Above the Rest: Elevated Cabin for the Athens Skyline

Posted in Creativity

 

Trashed Resort: Japan’s Abandoned New Muroto Sky Rest

05 Jan

[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]

abandoned Sky Rest New Muroto
Vacation not “vacant” enough? Abandoned in 1978, Japan‘s New Muroto Sky Rest resort is apparently patronized only by zombies or those hiding from them.

abandoned Sky Rest New Muroto 1b

abandoned Sky Rest New Muroto 1c

Little is known of the New Muroto Sky Rest resort before its closure and abandonment in 1978… perhaps that’s why the place closed and was abandoned. Certainly its location at the tip of Cape Muroto – a rocky, windswept peninsula jutting southeastward into the Pacific Ocean – was both scenic and accessible by major highways. Then there’s the “prehistoric robot” facade gazing menacingly out to sea. Credit Flickr user Craig Hunter (pictor ignotus) with the above images captured in June of 2009.

abandoned Sky Rest New Muroto 3a

abandoned Sky Rest New Muroto 3b

abandoned Sky Rest New Muroto 3c

Cape Muroto is the largest cape in Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands. While considered by many to be Japan’s version of the boondocks, Shikoku is popular with tourists performing the traditional pilgrimage to 88 select temples and a number of hot spring inns and resorts cater to weary wanderers in search of rejuvenation. Kudos to Abandoned Kansai for the above images dating from April of 2011.

abandoned Sky Rest New Muroto 2a

abandoned Sky Rest New Muroto 2c

abandoned Sky Rest New Muroto 2b

The New Muroto Sky Rest did not have an on-site “onsen” – in fact, it had little to recommend itself as a resort besides its stunning seaside setting. According to urbex vet Jordy Meow, the complex featured a restaurant, a video-game parlor (de rigueur in the Seventies) and a pair of cantilevered side wings which offered unparalleled views of Cape Muroto and the ocean beyond.

abandoned Sky Rest New Muroto 4bb

abandoned Sky Rest New Muroto 4a

The wings are still extant, as are the aforementioned views but as for the rest… put it this way, if it wasn’t nailed down or too heavy to carry away, it’s gone for good. We should mention that those scenic views are towards the ocean: over the past couple of decades Cape Muroto has become infested with more than a few ugly telecommunications towers, radio antennae, and even a wind farm.

Next Page – Click Below to Read More:
Trashed Resort Japans Abandoned New Muroto Sky Rest

Share on Facebook





[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]

[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]


WebUrbanist

 
Comments Off on Trashed Resort: Japan’s Abandoned New Muroto Sky Rest

Posted in Creativity

 

Last Stop: Photo Book Documents 150 Vanishing US Rest Stops

12 Dec

[ By WebUrbanist in Culture & History & Travel. ]

rest stop photo montage

For the last five years, this photographer has been traveling around the United States and capturing an eclectic but dying breed of roadside architecture: the American rest stop.

rest stop brick wood

rest stop simple a frame

the last stop big bend

rest stop waggon cannon

Ryann Ford of Austin, Texas, who has taken 150 pictures of  these to date, notes that this architectural typology has been associated with ” rest, relief, hospitality, and nostalgia” for the last half-century. The shots shown here include Big Bend National Park, Texas (FM 170), Walker Lake, Nevada (U.S. 95), Thackerville, Oklahoma (I-35), Clines Corners, New Mexico (U.S. 66/I-40), Monument Valley, Arizona, and more.

the last stop photo book

the last stop picture pages

the last stop cover page

Though The Last Stop has just reached her crowdfunding goal on Kickstarter, there is still time left to support the project in return for this oversized coffee table book which will be filled with 100 pages of images and stories. It represents both an aesthetic treat but also a critical archive of these structures, many of which are being abandoned or destroyed. Polaraids, prints and other prizes are also available.

rest stop map image

rest stop abandoned deserted

rest stop desert roof

rest stop picnic area

“When interstate highways were first built, passing up many small towns, rest stops were a way to reconnect people to the places they were traveling though. They gave small towns a chance to show their cultural significance. Rest areas have become relics of America’s roadside past. These sites not only illustrate a unique period in the American travel experience, but are significant for the architectural forms found within them.”

Share on Facebook





[ By WebUrbanist in Culture & History & Travel. ]

[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]


WebUrbanist

 
Comments Off on Last Stop: Photo Book Documents 150 Vanishing US Rest Stops

Posted in Creativity

 

No Rest In The Kingdom With Charles Quiles

17 Jun

Charles Quiles "No Rest In The Kingdom" photo series with model Nykhor Paul (RED Management) featured on Fashion Photography Blog (FashionPhotographyBlog.com)Charles Quiles dropped by FashionPhotographyBlog.com recently and we were so glad to hear that his recent debut solo exhibition was a tremendous success. We posted an article about his exhibition, “Fais-Mois L’Amour” (translates to “Make Love To Me”) a couple of weeks ago, and since then Charles has been on fire. Charles shared with FPBlog his latest project, a series showcasing Nykhor Paul, from RED Model Management NYC titled “No Rest In The Kingdom”. We loved the series so much we had to ask the photographer how he creates his amazing images and what is his process. Fortunately, Charles was able to make time to chat with us as we did not get much of a chance to catch up last time with the lead up to his exhibition event.

Charles Quiles "No Rest In The Kingdom" photo series with model Nykhor Paul (RED Management) featured on Fashion Photography Blog (FashionPhotographyBlog.com)

So how did the photographer’s journey for this Puerto Rican born, American photographer and director began? You’d be surprised to hear that photographer was not Charles’ first passion, as he explained “First it was poetic writing and acrylic painting that became my original necessary outlet through my angst teen years. Photography just evolved on its own.

My mother was always taking pictures of my brother and I when we were kids. I use to steal my brother’s Polaroid camera from him all the time just because the technology was so fascinating, then at 16 a local boutique modelling agency approached me at a school function, which introduced me to the world of modelling.

Charles Quiles "No Rest In The Kingdom" photo series with model Nykhor Paul (RED Management) featured on Fashion Photography Blog (FashionPhotographyBlog.com)

I never really was a big fan of listening to authority, so becoming the authority, the photographer, was just my natural next step. After a few years of getting the hang of it on my own, I decided to start reaching out to photographers I admired for advice. Sure enough, I connected with UK’s icon, Mariano Vivanco, and assisted him for a few years, until branching off on my own afterwards.

My photography comes from of a place of study. I’m very curious about people in general, the human condition. “Fashion” is the outlet I chose to communicate from…  I express a genuine love for the person I’m photographing. I like to photograph what I like to see, and it reflects how I feel about myself in that very moment.” Part of love that Charles shows on a set is maintaining the respect with everyone involved in the shoot, as he stated, “Mind you, if you’re being negative and/or nasty to anyone on set, I have no problem sending you home.”

Charles Quiles "No Rest In The Kingdom" photo series with model Nykhor Paul (RED Management) featured on Fashion Photography Blog (FashionPhotographyBlog.com)

I definitely agree that solid team work on set really does reflect on the outcome of photos from the shoot. No wonder the photos from his latest series “No Rest In The Kingdom” featuring female model, Nykhor Paul exude such warmth and charisma, that shines through Charles’ use of striking colors. I asked the photographer how the inspiration behind this shoot came about. He explained that “Gold is the color of success, achievement and triumph. It has always been associated with abundance, luxury, quality, sophistication, and elegance. All things we generally hope to be associated with individually. The power of intention… I also secretly have an obsession with royalty. My last name, Quiles, comes from a line of royalty, all though I was born in the slums of Puerto Rico.” To create this shoot Charles said that he used his Canon Mark II camera and a Westcott reflector.

Charles Quiles "No Rest In The Kingdom" photo series with model Nykhor Paul (RED Management) featured on Fashion Photography Blog (FashionPhotographyBlog.com)To find out more information about this photo series from Charles Quiles and other photos from his shoots you can find everything that you need on his website (www.charlesquiles.com), tumbler for all his outtakes (http://charlesquiles.tumblr.com) and Facebook for what he wants to show his loved ones. (https://www.facebook.com/charles.quiles.x). You can also check out works from his recent exhibition in our post here and email him via charles@charlesquiles.com

Charles Quiles: “Peace and love.”

Do you like Charles’ new work? Please comment below.

Charles Quiles "No Rest In The Kingdom" photo series with model Nykhor Paul (RED Management) featured on Fashion Photography Blog (FashionPhotographyBlog.com)


Fashion Photography Blog

 
Comments Off on No Rest In The Kingdom With Charles Quiles

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Go Somewhere Else: 8 Abandoned Roadside Rest Stops

16 Jun

[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]

abandoned rest stops
Rest stops and welcome centers are to highway travel what oases are to desert caravans, with one exception: when an oasis dries up, the camels unload anyway.

European? NOT HERE!

abandoned rest stop French-Belgian border(image via: Neoamaru)

Making a run for the border? Not so fast… this abandoned rest stop on the border between France and Belgium no longer offers a welcome break for weary travelers; one imagines the Wehrmacht was rather put out. Kudos to Flickr user Neomaru for capturing this curious relic of modern architecture in its currently colorful yet sadly forlorn state.

No Rest For The Wicked

abandoned rest stop rt41 Wisconsin(images via: Midwest Roads)

We don’t make a habit of ignoring road signs (and neither should you) but in this case we’ll make an exception: the rest stop at milepost 104 on US 41 southbound, about 3 miles north of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, hasn’t existed since some time in the mid-1990s. So then, does the sign advise the next rest stop is 21 miles further down the road or that this is (was) the last rest stop FOR 21 miles? Why not both?

abandoned rest stop rt41 Wisconsin(images via: Midwest Roads)

Scott Kuznicki visited the location of this late and unlamented rest stop on October 5, 2002… we don’t know why, but he’s got the photos to prove he (and the rest stop) was/were there. Maybe he just needed an alibi. Anyway, as you can see there’s not much evidence for the rest stop’s existence besides fencing and faded stripes on the road.

The CHiPs Are Down

abandoned rest stop CHiPs California hwy99(images via: Wikimapia)

Rest stops in California are funded and maintained by the state’s Department of Transportation, known as CalTrans. While many rest stops in remote areas were closed relatively recently due to California’s never-ending fiscal crisis, the rest stop whose remnants linger on Highway 99 bit the dust in the early 1980s. It did have one claim to fame while still standing, though: an episode of the popular TV crime drama CHiPs centered around an accidentally abandoned baby left at a rest stop… THIS rest stop.

Next Page:
Go Somewhere Else 8 Abandoned Roadside Rest Stops

Share on Facebook



[ By Steve in Abandoned Places & Architecture. ]

[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]

    


WebUrbanist

 
Comments Off on Go Somewhere Else: 8 Abandoned Roadside Rest Stops

Posted in Creativity

 

Rest in Love

03 Jan

Anastasia Katoa | 1993 – 2012

I shot this image of Anastasia in November of 2009. It was our first and only shoot, though we discussed shooting again we had a bit of trouble synching up again… I’m bad at that sometimes.

In February of this year, when news came to me that she had passed away, I visited her facebook page in tears. I gasped when I saw she had used this image as the cover on her facebook timeline. Then I sobbed.

I hope we all take advantage of every opportunity to capture something beautiful. Life is fleeting but what we do with our lives can be immortal.

Rest in love Anastasia Katoa, thank you for gracing me with your smile that one November night.  You are missed.


 
Comments Off on Rest in Love

Posted in Uncategorized