I feel like most kids nowadays think you can just buy a few actions, use a few filters, and get any result you want. For purist photographers, they refuse to use any post processing at all, which is good for them, but they better produce great quality photos to begin with, instead of using the purist attitude as an excuse for their mediocre images. I rely heavily on post processing, but I am also a visual artist and designer, I like to, and can, create images. Being experienced at Photoshop doesn’t just mean you’re able to apply a random combination of filters to an image to create a cool effect. It means you have a goal, an image or visualization in your mind and you know exactly what combination of tools in the software to get you there. To be successful in digital art, you need a solid background and knowledge in visual arts, computer graphics, 3D modeling or sculting, anatomy, and lighting.  I’m not purely a photographer, nor am I purely an illustrator, I am a relatively new breed of digital artist that combines both skills into one medium.

If you would like to see some of my before and after post processed photos, click on the link below.

Before + After

This is my second time back at the Rockhouse hotel in Negril Jamaica for a wedding. It’s a beautiful location, but I personally still prefer dry, cool weather myself. It was easier this time due to previous experience of this location, 2 more years of photography experience since the last trip, and newer equipment. However long ago the first wedding may be, I definitely think Derek and Sherry’s photos will live up to my expectations for many years to come. The following photos are just scenic photos the day before the wedding, captured with Canon 5D & 16-35mm 2.8L II. This may be the only time I’ve taken scenery photos with people.

Technically this isn’t my job, but it makes the title easier to understand. I cannot emphasize enough how I shoot only for pleasure. My original inspiration for this project, codename “723″, was from Herb Ritts‘ photo of the previous generation of super models all huddled nude next to each other, and I though, why not? I also loved the Sports Illustrated 2006 group photo of all the girls standing next to each other on the beach in white bikini bottoms. I don’t think the real challenge in this project is the technical requirements, but rather getting a group of girls to show up at the same time on the same day. I contacted over 20 girls I’ve worked with previously, and in the end 15 showed up which was more than I could have expected. If you’re wondering how I got all these girls to be part of this huge project, it all comes from having a very good relationship with each and every one of my models. Be nice and trustworthy to people and you will receive the same in return. Being modest yet confident helps as well!

I am extremely lucky and fortunate to have such dedicated supporters of my work, which allowed me access to resources that would have cost me an arm and a leg. My photographer friend Joseph King let me borrow a Hasselblad medium format with a CFV digital back + 50mm f/2.8, although it was only 16 megapixels, I opted to use Melissa Hom’s Canon 1Ds Mark III, which was 21.1 megapixels. With the camera options taken care of, I needed a wide open space to fit all these girls. I looked around Manhattan studio locations and daily rates were a minimum of $260 per hour to $1500 a day for just one floor. Instead, my friend Ziggy Chau was able to get me a 5-story 11,000 sq ft location called Bennett Media Studio for half the day, at no cost of course. I needed a few assistants to help me and maybe one makeup artist to do basic touchups, instead I was privileged with three professional makeup artists Nancy Lan, Jenn Kang, and her friend Paula who volunteered for this project, as well as my dear friend Frances Jeon as my main assistant.

My only expenses for this project were gifts for those that offered their time and energy. $500 worth of Victoria’s Secret gift cards for the ladies, and a $290 bottle of Chave Hermitage 98 delivered to Edward Bennett for his generosity of opening his studio to me, though I don’t think any guy would pass up 15 topless girls running around their place.

Onto the technical challenges. I specifically wanted natural light, but there’s a difference between shooting into the light versus with the light. I also had to work around the studio space and furniture, which meant I had to shoot with the windows as the backdrop. Having light coming in from the background means less contrast and flat lighting on your subject, which in the end could be more flattering. Unfortunately I was not able to use the Hasselblad’s 50mm lens to fit in all 15 girls, so I shot mostly with the 1Ds. One thing I should have done was shoot the 1Ds on the tripod which was holding up the unused Hasselblad! The studio wasn’t the brightest which required me to shoot at higher ISO and lower shutter speed, which definitely required a tripod. I also would’ve preferred a prime lens over the 24-70mm, but this time I traded convenience for sharpness. No more compromises next time, but of course this was also a great learning experience. The last black and white photo was lit with an AlienBee B400 strobe behind a large white sheet.

My goal for these photos is to sell large, limited edition prints. I’ll work out the details but willing to take up any suggestions or offers for the first edition!

Project 723

models: Christine, Anthea, Joli, Alyssa, Ruby, Lisa, Tanya, Anna, Nicole, Jestina, Venus, Ziggy, Sarah, Diana, Jeyona

This is my storage. 7.5 terabytes on RAID 5. I have 2 more terabytes upstairs. Nowadays, I wouldn’t be surprised if the next guy has more or twice the amount I have. These are two Thecus N5200 NAS on a gigabit connection. It’s fast. I strongly recommend anyone who doesn’t have external storage backups for your important documents and photos to invest in one. They can be bought for even under $100 for the basic models, which is nothing compared to the cost of data recovery services when you lose years of your personal photos from your desktop or laptop, which is a matter of time, not if. You can start by checking out Seagate FreeAgent which I recommended to a computer illiterate co-worker of mine, and she loved how easy it was with the included software. I use Vice Versa Pro to schedule automatic synchronization and backup of all photos from my desktop on a nightly basis. Even with this reliable storage, I don’t feel 100% at ease. I plan on buying more external drives, backing up everything, and storing them in a safe.

Please share any methods you have on backing up your most important documents.

Yet another beach set, same secret location. This was also taken with a portable AlienBee strobe, B400 with umbrella. With so much space on a beach, I always try to shoot with 70-200mm. If I had a 300-400 I might even use that. The more telephoto, the better for models, the more proportionate. The weather was also perfect for the first set. Dark storm clouds adds a lot more dramatic than a clear, solid background color. The bright orange lighting is when the sun peaked through, a completely different mood.