Marina

These are probably my favourite studio pics to date. My friend Marina is a very pleasant looking woman, and with a lick of makeup, a few props and careful lighting she's just gorgeous! I was aiming for an old 'Hollywood' look and i think i achieved it.

Marina #1

She was leaning on the back of a chair she was straddling and i was standing on another chair so i shot straight down onto her... the lack of depth-of-field meant everything below her shoulders was quite out of focus, yet you still get the suggestion of fine jewellery and fur (even though it was just cheapy costume stuff). I used the gold swag of fabric in the background too so that i wouldn't loose the line around the back of her head.

Marina #2

I had one light directly on her face and another pointed at the back of her head to make highlights on her dark hair. Spot the digitally added tattoo!

Marina #3

Super close with a single light source. I like this one - it's very Hollywood. George was holding the ostrich feather (pilfered from a duster) over her head and kept making chicken noises to accompany the feather twitches. It was hard to catch a straight face on Marina!

Marina #4

Same lighting as #2 but i was up on that chair again. Those fabulous diamond earrings were hers... they reminded me of jewelled spiders. By adding the earrings, it added a point of interest to an otherwise simple composition.

Marina #5

George was clucking away whilst holding the peacock feathers... so sad! The feathers made an interesting 'frame'.