Betty Banzai grunge style poster

Had a photo shoot at Sugar Mill Night Club in Hull. This is from the second shoot of the day. Model feature is Betty Banzai from Model Mayhem. I want to do a grunge type poster similar to this Dirty Grunge Poster and Simple steps to create impressive illustration. Also this list of 450+ grunge brushes helped.

Original image

Background cut and left white

Duplicated layer, then Filter -> Artistic -> Cut Out. Set blend mode to 60% opacity.

New layer render clouds then blur, add radial shape in new layer

Build up layer with grunge brushes and changing layer blending styles, altering graduated blend mode

Continue with other brushes

Show all layers

Then text layer with graduated layer style.

Film Noir Shoot At Sugarmill Night Club

Attended a group shoot with Hull photographers and models Facebook group.  We took over Sugarmill night club for the afternoon. All models and photographers shoot for free. An entrance was charged and the money was given to cancer research. £131.80 in total was raised.

Before the shoot I had discussed with Shaz (the model below) shooting a film noir set. She was very enthusiastic and keen to offer suggestions for the shoot.

I had read on the Strobist Blogspot on using hard light for a Film Noir Effect.

A single 430exII was used. I used a cable to trigger the flash, i used this because there was other photographers working around me using similar triggers. Cable is old school but it works.

I used a Rouge flash bender as a snoot. The a reflective umbrella partially opened to give a more concentrated directional light.

Thanks to Lou Watson and Abbie Towse for organising the shoot, Sugarmill for the venue and all the models, makeup artists and fellow photographers for their help and support of a worth while charity.

Chocolate and Photography

This year I had set a goal that I wanted to get back to enjoying my photography. I have started a 365 day project

All though I have missed a few days due to work pressure and working nights I am still enjoying it. Been creative and unique every day I have found challenging. I have looked at several websites for inspiration. One I have enjoyed is Don GIannatti @wizwow

He runs Project52.org and gives a weekly assignment and a deadline. The one I wanted to do I missed the deadline because I want to take my time and do it while I was off work on annual leave.

The assignment was to shoot for a local cafe with the theme chocolate and the finished image was to be square.

So here is the basic set up. 430exii on sync cable. Shoot on manual. Shoot at between 1/4 and 1/8 power. A Jessops 360afd on slave, At 1/4 power for background. And a vivitar 285hv camera right for fill.

Jade 25 weeks pregnant

Set up a studio in my living room to get Jades 25 week maternity shot. Used pvc conduit piping for background holder. Used a vivitar hv285 in silver umbrella camera right and a jessops own brand in white umbrella camera left. Triggered from camera by Canon EX430II flash bounced on ceiling on auto. Have been using cactus triggers and saw this technique by a pro shooter who shoots with one large flash and a shoe mounted flash. Exposures where better than I have been getting.