My Photographic Year in 12 Days - March 2022

Continuing my retrospective collection of posts for 2022. This time it's the turn of March. This was a special month for me work wise and was also dominated by a photoshoot I attended at a studio called TankSpace.

You can see February's images here: https://peakd.com/hive-194913/@fastchrisuk/my-photographic-year-in-12-days-february-2022

Lucille reclines

In the TankSpace studio is a rainfall set comprising of high level pipes spewing warm water on to an enclosed "tray" to catch the water. It's not easy to shoot models using someone else's lighting set up and I had to make the best of what I had to work with. If I was sorting the lights myself, I'd have had a completely different set up similar to that which I use for shooting models in abandoned buildings!

That sinking feeling

Lucille here had never (to my knowledge) been in a giant water tank and it looked like it took some getting used to trying to be graceful and elegant whilst not being able to breath! Lucille here took to it like a duck to water, literally!

Lanina in freefall

Lanina was another frst timer in the water. It was cool to see their journey of discovery as they first enter the water, trying to pose and seeing what works for them. After 5 minutes or so, Lanina nailed it like a pro!

Hayleigh

Another model, there were so many on the day, who was seemingly a novice in the water but once she became accustomed to it, it looked to me like she didn't want anyone else to take their turn!

Ksenia

The shots I got with Ksenia were probably my favourite on the day. Quiet and unassuming, Ksenia was a natural beauty who happens to be a circus high wire performer. She nailed every pose, every shot and I'd love to shoot with her again. Complete class!

Lucille, again

That Lucille again, smouldering in the rain.....

Ksenia, again

Ksenia under the rainfall set. I was amazed!

Fractal

I happened to have a fractal filter in my bag and it struck me as the models were posing in the water, how good they might look with a fractal filter. I'm not sure the quality of the filter is that great but the effect is amazing!

As is

One of the things which maybe the viewer of these photos doesn't see is the amount of debris floating around in the water. As the model moves more, the water becomes almost a little cloudy. And the models themselves removed bits of clothing, cotton threads and other fluff. There was quite a lot of Photoshop work involved in cleaning up these images!

Helping hand

Michelangelo's famous painting is to blame for this shot. I asked the models to hold hands and pose looking at each other much like Michelangelo's work. These two understood immediately what I meant and it was great to see. It's not exactly like the maestro's work, but it was good enough for me!

Lanina playing with fire

I found myself being a little annoyed with the lighting we were given to use. The studio had placed these four LED lights in the rainfall set thinking they were doing us a favour. I wasn't impressed and this is about the best I got with the lighting present. I'd much rather set up my own lights and be in control but to arrange such a shoot here by myself is really expensive!!

Detroit Bridge, Salford Quays

It wasn't all shooting models in water during the month of March. I managed to make it across the Pennines to shoot Salford Quays at night. The Quays is a modern development of retail, theatres, galleries, museums and media offices which happen to be quite photogenic at night.

Some of the original features of the Quays have been refurbished, given a lick of paint and lit up. The bridge I know as Detroit Bridge and was originally a swing bridge to allow boat traffic to pass. I'm not sure if the bridge still has the ability to "swing" but it sure does look good in a blue hour sky.

Media City Footbridge

This shot is an example that you should always return to a scene and try shooting it again. I wasn't as lucky this time with the weather conditions but it's more "different" than less successful.

This is more or less the same scene shot on a more favourable evening!

These Lights are my Nemesis

The LED lighting in the buildings around Media City, Salford Quays are quite tricky to expose for. Correctly expose for the lights and the surrounding scene is too dark. Expose for the surroundings and the lights are too bright! I've tried on the many times I've been here to get the balance right. I think I got close here!

About me:
I usually specialise in shooting lightpainting images but occasionally dabble in urbex and artistic model photography. I'm always on the lookout for someone to collaborate with; please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to create art.

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