Welcome to 2012!!

Where did 2011 go?? Such a hectic year, full of amazing shoots, great new friends, exploration of some very cool ideas, a gallery exhibition, the list goes on… but this year I don’t think I’ll do a reflective post – I was happy with much of what I achieved in 2011, and things are lined up for a really big 2012!! Onwards and upwards as they say, and there are always exciting and new things to look forward to… but there’s never enough time to get it all done!! Quick warning, NSFW images ahead…

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The Flash Mob Gallery Exhibition – Behind the Scenes

Last month I was lucky to be involved in a gallery exhibition with the amazing talents of Keith Melder, Morgana Creely and Christopher Smith. The exhibition was held at 100th Gallery in Prahran, I definitely recommend you get on down there and check out the exhibitions, there’s amazing new stuff showing all the time!! A small snippet of my part in the exhibition is still listed on the 100th Gallery site. Read on for more info and some BTS images (and be warned, there are nudes in there!!)

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Chase scares me – again!

Wow, it’s been over a month since I last updated, sorry about that! As always, it’s a hectic world we live in, and I will admit that running a studio is quite a bit of work! But it’s such ENJOYABLE work – I’ve already met heaps of awesome people, assisted on some amazing creative shoots, and generally had a great time of it!! Running a studio is not cheap though, unfortunately, which means I’ve also had to turn away shoots that were probably going to be amazing but didn’t have a budget. I’m thinking about opening the studio to TFP projects once or twice a month, to give awesome projects a chance to shoot in a great space for a day, for FREE!! I’ll think about it some more… feedback welcome! Read on for more…

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ShutterClass studio progress continues

It’s been almost 3 weeks since the last update, and quite a bit has happened (always busy, as you all know!!). We had quite a bit of rain in Melbourne recently, and combined with the heat it was a perfect recipe for really testing out the plaster and cyc curve stability! Guess what – cyc curves hate humidity! We had a little cracking and some lifting, we we’ve had to spend some time working on repairs already! On the plus side, repairs turned out to be pretty easy, and the end result is much more stable. Hopefully the heat and humidity predicted over the coming months will prove it’s a better result. And then we have winter cold to look forward to…

The studio has been quite busy lately, which has slowed down completion of the construction – today is the last day of a 3-day fashion/portfolio shoot. We’ve had around 20 people onsite every day, with lots of models coming and going as they attend their session. It’s been relatively smooth, although a small incident with a courier van driving into our front doors, and a modelling lamp exploding meant we had our fair share of excitement!

As we rapidly head towards Christmas, the studio will be closed from 23/12 to 4/1. In that time I’ll be getting organised and planning out the workshops I plan to run in January – at this stage there’ll be a couple of basic lighting workshops, along with some “play” workshops. I’m considering short sessions on using laser/sound triggers, paint/powder/water shoots, and maybe timelapse and lightpainting. I’ve also got a couple of shoots of my own I need to get organised, but more about those once I get the details sorted!!

Next update will probably be early in the new year – until then, I hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas, and a memorable new year!

Studio build progressing well, first shoots done!

It’s been almost a month since the last update, and what a busy 3 or so weeks it has been. Floors are in and complete, we now have 2.5 cycs (the corner cyc 3 is still a work in progress, but the main half of it is functional). The portrait walls are done and came up really well with the chosen colours, but there are still more coats of paint required on the cyc curves (masonite is a resilient product, but pretty ordinary to get filled and painted). The biggest challenge has simply been time and the weather – hot humid conditions has not been ideal for plastering, sanding and painting, but we are getting there. We’ve encountered some cracks in some of the plaster and may need to revisit that if time permits.

ShutterClass Portrait walls

First shoots happened today in the studios, and they appear to have been successful – got some positive feedback, and hopefully we’ll see people back in the studios in future. It was great to get back in the studio and work with other shooters – while I like nothing better than having a great shoot myself, I also get right into helping others solve their challenges, particularly when it works out and they are getting the results they want!

BTS, checking out the lightingDid some light testing as well, initial tests to see what the cyc looks like under strobe – seems to produce workable results so far. As mentioned above, the cracking may be an issue depending on light angle, but in most cases it is not even visible (so perhaps I worry too much about it being perfect?). Here’s a candid shot of me taking a look, shot by the wonderful and supportive Morgana (of Morgana Creely Photography. Model is the ever talented Martin (of Martin Creely Photography) who’s also a great sport and event shooter too! Go check them both out!

More images to come, as the build wraps up! Thanks everyone for your support so far – feel free to check out the ShutterClass site, and drop past the studio or keep an eye on the upcoming workshops (announced via the ShutterClass Facebook page)

Update on new news

It’s been almost a month since my announcements about exiting things happening in my photography space (if you want to refresh your memory, here’s the original new news!).

So, where are we at? Well, we’re behind schedule by about 8 days due to some delays in getting the floor sorted – old warehouse floors are apparently not ideal for resurfacing, particularly with so much old oil in play. We had to go with plan B, and lay an entire new floor over the top, which cost a heap of time that we hadn’t planned on. We’re still aiming for a 15/11 open, but the run to the finish line is going to be crazy!

Signage has now been installed – if you drive past us on Huntingdale Road (just north of the train station), look out for the ShutterClass warehouse at the end of the shopping strip (on the left, heading towards Dandenong Rd/Princes Hwy).

Cyc construction should start Saturday if the rest of this week works out – that means the floor laying has to finish tomorrow, sanding must happen Weds and then sealing can happen Thurs/Fri. If we don’t make those deadlines, the 15th is looking shaky!

Still a bunch of challenges to sort out as well – lighting in the makeup/change area is still to be determined, it has to be the right colour, otherwise makeup will be put on under one colour light, only to be shot in something different – egads!! Other simple things are still outstanding as well (waiting on the landlord) – taps in the kitchen, a vanity in the shower/change room, a few leaks to be plugged in the roof (nothing like a massive weekend of rain to discover all those holes – 14 buckets scattered around the floor!).

But overall it’s looking quite positive and getting very exciting – it’s a great space, it has surprisingly nice ambient light and a really good feel to it (for a large open warehouse!). It will be awesome when the floors are shiny and the cycs are done, then it will look like the real deal.

We’ve been doing timelapse of the construction as we go, so there will be videos and some photos in a couple of weeks (we’ll be posting them to coincide with the launch). No date determined yet for the launch party, but it’s likely to be early in the new year since no-one has free time in December with the crazy holiday period.

Touch wood no other major hurdles are encountered, and hopefully the train will stay on the tracks.

Some announcements!! New News!!

It’s been probably the most hectic 2 or so weeks I’ve had in a long time – for those who know me, “busy” is a word I throw around a lot, almost to the point of abuse!! And I’m sure my friends no longer believe me when I say I’m busier than ever before!! But I am!! Seriously!! No, really, please believe me…. please?

OK, here’s the reason I have actually been really busy, and the news is very exciting – I have some announcements to make!! Hopefully some of you out there will be as excited as I am!! So, without further ado:

  • First up, the workshop pilot website is official and operational now!! Go and check it out at http://www.shutterclass.com. It’s rough at the moment, but the intention is simple – if you are a photographer and you want to host a workshop to impart some of that amazing knowledge on an unsuspecting public, ShutterClass can help. The website is designed to sort out some of the annoying logistics, like managing attendees and getting payments in!! And the best part? It’s free during the pilot period while I try and iron out the bugs! Particularly useful for those of you that already run workshops, let ShutterClass sort out the registration hassles for you!
  • What would a new workshop website be without some content? So I’m going to hold some workshops of my own. The first one is the “Relaxed Studio Lighting” workshop, aimed at (mostly new) photographers who would like a chance to get into a studio and experiment with some lights without stress or pressure!! We’ll have a couple of models along, talk about basic lighting concepts, and maybe work through a couple of concepts. If you are interested in attending these workshops (first one November 20), just head over to http://www.shutterclass.com and register!! They’re not expensive either, so get along and give it a shot!!
  • Of course, with a new workshop website, and some workshops to run, I really needed somewhere to hold them! So what better way to launch the website and the workshops by also announcing that I’m opening a studio!! Yes, a studio, as in a full-on space for taking awesome images!!

    ShutterClass Studios will be 3 or 4 large cycloramas (including one corner cyc), portrait walls, and a construction/wet area, along with portable makeup tables, shower/change facilities and roller-door access that can accommodate cars/motorbikes as well!! It’s all located conveniently in Huntingdale Road Oakleigh (walking distance from Huntingdale Train Station). Studio hire rates are still to be determined but they are going to be quite reasonable so even you new shooters and students can get a look in!! Keep your eye on the http://www.ShutterClass.com website for more details over the next 4 or so weeks.

That’s about it for news at this stage (phew, more than enough I think!!). There’s also a Facebook page and other bits and bobs, but these will all be cleaned up and linked together over the coming weeks!!
For now, I’m keen to hear from people who would be interested in running up a workshop through http://www.shutterclass.com (and you don’t have to be in Victoria to use the site!!). I’d love to chat to anyone who wants to know more about the studios, or wants to book them even!! They’re not built yet, but you’ll see some progress updates over the coming weeks. They’ll officially open in the middle of November, but there’s a chance for some early viewing/bookings before then!!

Righto, onwards and upwards!! Like I said, I’m “busy” 😉

Studio shoot with Jess

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I realise it might appear like I don’t shoot much, but lately I’ve been shooting mostly theatre and events – meaning I don’t get to show off the images. But recently I did manage to get a couple of projects done in the studio, and I can show you these results!! I spent a couple of days testing a couple of lighting rigs, and managed to get in some portfolio/head shot sessions as a result.

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A day in the life

James Worrell pulled together a great little video that beautifully summarises the glamour lifestyle of a photographer!! If you think photography is all about fashion shows, parties and limos, think again – most photographers make their living doing the same thing the rest of us do, by working long hard days for little recognition and even less glamour or riches!!

Click here to watch the video – be patient, it takes a few moments to load!

Well done James, it’s a great video – and if you are getting the parties and limos lifestyle, more kudos to you!!

Jess

Yesterday I had the pleasure of shooting with the always delightful and ever entertaining (and geeky!) Jess.

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