Category: Props

Time

To me, it seems that part of what defines the feminine is time: the onset of the monthly cycle of fertility at puberty, the ticking of the biological clock until its end at menopause. In addition, for many women independence and self-actualization involve transcending time, and refusing to be imprisoned or have one’s self-worth shackled to this definition.

Today’s image (NSFW, so just a link), explores this idea, the struggle against being the prisoner of time. The model is a powerful, strong and independent woman who will not surrender to the passing of days.

All About the Eye

This is a concept I’ve wanted to shoot for some time. I have this old shutter from a Polaroid camera. I bought it to use on my 4×5 with old lenses that do not have any shutters, but thought that coupled with a cable release it would look great as a monocle. The idea is that the most important photographic gear is one’s eye, brain and heart; everything else is an intermediary.

Shutter Eye029

(Mamiya M645, 80mm f2.8 lens, single strobe through umbrella. Shot using Fomapan 100, developed in Blazinol (Rodinal) 1:50 for 8 minutes)

Revisiting

Back in the early 1980’s I shot this picture of an antique piano stool belonging to my parents. Fast forward about 30 years: I inherited the piano stool, and now it is a favourite prop/support for portraits — I love it!

Christina Mallais029

Mamiya M645, 80mm f2.8 lens with 25A red filter, one strobe through umbrella. Ilford SFX 200 film, developed in HC-110 dilution B for 9 minutes