Gemini, Cornered, June 2008

I believe that all photographers owe a debt to all the more experienced & skilled models & photographers who shared their time & knowledge with the photographer as the photographer was learning their craft. I am no exception. I also believe that the best way to pay back that debt is to share your experience & skill with other less experienced people.
On the other hand, I am often asked this question from beginner models: Will you photograph me? It's often frustrating for me, because more often than not, the appropriate answer is "no" -- the model is not always local, or she's unsuitable, or she has unrealistic expectations, or negotiations fall through, or her timing is off, or (frankly) she just doesn't appeal to me.

Gemini was an exception -- she was eager, enthusiastic, and sweet, and she caught me at a good time. We get together for her first photographic session.

Gemini is young, and she is engaged (to a cagefighter). Her thinking is that she wanted to get some nude photographs done while she is young and before she starts having children. It's also possible that she's dipping her toe into the modeling lake.

To be honest, I much prefer working with experienced models.

	They are typically confident, relaxed, & calm,
	They know how to move in front of the camera,
	They usually have a good idea how to best present themselves.

But inexperienced models do have at least one advantage: they tend to be more enthusiastic than the more experienced (jaded?) model.

Gemini might have needed more direction than a more experienced model, but I've got to say this: Gemini was always laughing. She was a lot of fun.

I'm a big fan of this window & this light, especially when the sun is shining brightly. When this picture was made, we were close to the longest day of the year, and the light just puddles on the floor under the window. In the winter, that patch of sunlight stretches all the way across the floor to the other side of the room. This being the Pacific Northwest, however, sunny winter days are exceedingly rare, so I don't have many pictures of that. (See the light from one of these rare sunny winter days on this page of the lovely Leona).
In any case, there are great composition possibilities, good light, exposure & post processing challenges, and beautiful models -- all of which adds up to lots of fun. I'll be returning to this spot over & over.

(In fact, I should pull together a page full of images made in this spot at various times of the year.)

I'm beginning to think that I can't fail making photographs in this corner. Everything works: just keep the camera low to the ground with a wide angle lens pointed parallel to the floor (to minimize distortions), and everything works. These wide images offer a pleasing composition (that mirror on the wall is essential). Closer in images also work. When the sunlight isn't so bright, we can move the model a bit away from that window wall, or we can put the model right there in the corner, or we can move the model right under the window. It all works.

Today, I particular like how the direct sunlight is concentrated on Gemini's skin.

I think of myself as a shy person, but I don't let my shyness get in the way of doing the necessary. That's another reason why I like working with experienced models -- they've done it before, and quite possibly, they've done it often. So, it's easy to ask them to get totally nude.
But you never know how an inexperienced model will react when you ask them to remove the last bit of clothing.

Gemini reacted with joy & laughter. What can be better?

Gemini blithely tosses her panties in the air. I like the playful gesture, and I ask her to keep doing that until she gets it right.

Totally nude & totally comfortable. Gemini exceeded my expectations.

One last exposure for this page, with a change of perspective. I've been enjoying using a low angle for many of my pictures, as you can see from the previous images on this page.
When I'm working, there's a little corner of my brain that's always asking whether I'm done with a particular setup. Sometimes, when I'm close to done, I think of a specific element and think to myself, what's the opposite of that? What's the opposite of the low angle perspective? A high angle perspective. So, I try the opposite.

I like how the light forms stripes over Gemini's skin, but this handheld image is pretty uncomfortable for me. I suppose I could have gotten up on a ladder to make this image, but I was holding the camera over my head. I just couldn't keep it up.

So, we move on.

I just love Gemini's enthusiasm. She's delightful & very easy to be around. Sure, her posing isn't "polished", but her gestures are all natural, and that's a big part of her charm.

When we discussed working together, I suggested that we do two setups, one with natural light & the other with artificial light. I figure we've milked the window sunlight for all that we can, so we try some work with the strobes.

Chaired