The Video
4 Models. 3 Huskies. 7 Assistants. Clothing, Make-up, Hair, Prop Stylist and a New Camera System. This shoot was just screaming to be filmed for a BTS on our DVD! That’s when we contacted Jay Espinal who came out to shoot for us on my Fall Fashion Shoot for Kurv Magazine. Check out the teaser video above to get an inside look at a segment from the DVD and read the full story below to see what my thoughts are about shooting with the new PhaseOne IQ!!
When I’m given an assignment for a magazine and there is a lot of freedom to shoot “what I want”, I always want to shoot something epic. It’s my chance to show what I can create. Of course, epic can translate into lots of prep, a fair share of headache, and with headaches come a bit of drama. So I sort of expect that the bigger the production, the more complicated. However, the more prepared I am, the less headaches and drama develop. And that’s what I have come to learn over the years: Preparation is KEY to pulling off any size shoot, but especially the bigger ones.
This shoot for Kurv was no exception. In the months leading up to the shoot, I had been pulling Asian models as references for inspiration. At the same time, I was looking at a lot more documentary photography rather than fashion. Thus was born the idea of merging the two themes together: an Asian model story shot more documentary style. Casting took less than a week. Hair, make up and stylist were booked in a day. I found a studio large enough for our big set (I also hired a prop stylist) and a bank of windows to one side (I wanted available light to one side). Root Studios in Brooklyn, NY was our studio for the day of this shoot. We love them AND their cappuccino machine!
Timing is everything and right before we shot, PhaseOne reached out to me. They asked me if I would be interested in shooting with some of their cameras on my next shoot. Are you kidding? I use PhaseOne when I shoot for Ralph Lauren ( the p45+) and I love the camera! So I was more than agreeable to have them come out for the day with their cameras. They brought the 645 DF, the p45+, the p30+ and the IQ180. I settled on the IQ180 and shot it at 20 megapixels because I felt that I didn’t “need” that many pixels and I wanted a faster recycling time. What are the Pros of this camera: Well, for one, I loved the user friendliness of it. The touch screen sensor was a lot like an iPhone! Easy to navigate (because we’re so used to it). Read: Totally cool! The camera had that “old school” feel to it: big, hefty and simple, with only a handful of buttons so you won’t get confused or accidentally push one, having to refer to some on-line manual or the actual manual to trouble shoot your way back to square one. You know I like my “work horse” cameras. One of the biggest reasons I love NIKON so much. More pluses to the PhaseOne: because of the bigger sensor it has a larger dynamic range, which is just a plus that medium format cameras have over 35mm. And the depth of field shrinks which is something else I value. I like blurred backgrounds but being able to control the focus on my subjects (models). So with the PhaseOne, I can shoot at 5.6, ensuring my model stays sharp but the background will blur. NICE. The Cons: Yep. You know what the ONLY con is. The price. It’s a big investment in your gear. And not only is the initial outlay for the camera expensive but you’re probably going to have to update your current computer that you’re using to upload your images to, because the file sizes are so big. Which means you also are probably going to have to buy a couple of additional hard drives to store your raws on. And don’t forget a better fire wire. So as you can see, the add ons are going to become endless. And that just jacks up the cost even more.
However, if you are looking for a medium format camera, in my opinion PhaseOne is the way to go. You can go a less expensive and pick up a digital back to use on your existing Mamiya camera. Which is the route I’ll probably go. When I was in LA shooting for Nike, I bought myself a Mamiya RZ Pro II. Throw on a PhaseOne back, and you have yourself a great medium format digital camera. And of course, when you’re not shooting digital, you’re shooting film on that beautiful camera.
Check out the teaser from this shoot. The full extended version is on the Fashion Photography EXPOSED DVD. It was an incredible day, a stress-free shoot and the results were fab!
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vasile covaciu
November 16, 2011superb! I salute you and your talent! God bless you!
Brock Lawson
November 16, 2011Truely inspiring. You are by far one of my favorites and sets like these are the reason why. Thank you for being such an inspiration in my life.
Jarka H.
November 16, 2011I always say you can´t shoot anything better and you always surprise me that you can
Awesome editorial!
zbiryn
November 16, 2011Great photo-shoot, great models, great team, great dogs, great equipment, great post-processing and of course great photographer!
Thanks for keeping this blog alive
Regards.
John Waiblinger
November 16, 2011Totally EPIC!! so enjoyed watching the video, and miss the excitement of being on a shoot with you. The final images are brilliant, just brilliant. LOVE!!
Stevie Roy
November 16, 2011Stunning, I’ve been shooting on my Phase One for 18 months now and the difference between this and my 1Ds mkIII is truly staggering, the depth and detail of the Phase digital backs are in my view the best on the market, shooting with one of the UKs top hair stylists tomorrow and can’t wait for them all to see the mind blowing detail, hope I get the campaign.
As always Melissa, love your work and look forward to the next mail out.
Paige
November 16, 2011That camera looks like it’d be so heavy or like it’d seem heavier because they’re so spendy and I’d be so terrified that I would drop it! Do you have any tricks to keep from accidentally breaking your camera?
Trevor Press
November 16, 2011Awesome Shoot!
Felinda
November 16, 2011Amazing work Melissa!!
Very excited to do some research on the new PhaseOne system!
Thanks for sharing!
♥
Emma Rhoades Photography
November 16, 2011Awesome, Awesome, Awesome – I’m so glad I bought the DVD – can’t wait for it to arrive!!! These images are truly stunning and you’ve inspired my creativity again!
Drew Spalding
November 16, 2011The texture in each photo is so crisp it’s like my hands somehow know what every clothing item would feel like. Perfect detail, gorgeous shots.
Maria T
November 16, 2011Awesome Shoot! love your work Melissa~
And your crew….You all work Great together a make Amazing work!
Matthias
November 16, 2011Incredible how the ‘documentary’ style is implemented! Just love it…
BTW, what Cappuccino machine was it which could survive such big team?
Cheers, Matthias
Miss Ernie
November 16, 2011You have the most fun! I’m so jealous. LOL!!! The completed images are so beautiful and everything just worked so well together. Keep sharing please!!!
Neil Walton
November 17, 2011Amazing shoot, love the images!
Tim
November 17, 2011The one from above looking down on the models and dogs like they’re one big pack together is absolutely fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one like that before.
kc kong
November 17, 2011awesome as always
Jay
November 17, 2011All I can say is WOW!! amazing and truly inspiring
nicoleanjolie
November 17, 2011Beautiful photos! I am going to start adding to my change jar and in 40yrs or so I should have enough money to buy one… course I probably couldn’t pick it up if I’m 97 let alone keep it steady; but hey, I’m an optimist : )
Truly creative and inspiring work again!!
Seth Parr
November 17, 2011The photos are well…standard studio photos with a thought out idea using a Big soft light and a very capable recording light latitude camera. I personally didn’t think the RAW photo was all that impressive but I guess all they were after was even soft lighting and they got it.
Now in the way the photos were processed – Wow, Nice Job. I personally don’t like to see overly silky smooth processed skin but still the overall skills are recognized. Congrats too to the Make up artist, Set Designers, well hell, the whole team. It’s nice to see Fashion outside of the standard. I’d love to see this set redone outside.
Franklin Suarez
November 17, 2011LOVE IT!!!
Brian Eaves
November 18, 2011I have a quick question. Did the photographer have a Digital Tech?
Nick
November 19, 2011Melissa, you’re a beast! I Love you’re work more than puppies! Keep rockin’!
Conon Barrett
November 19, 2011Simply beautiful and inspirational. Excellent environmental shoot.
Lomography
November 19, 2011Stunning!! Very rugged, I love the one where she’s biting the fish. Good job!
LVR
November 22, 2011wow those are fabulous. i luv pix #5 and #7
Melanie Shroder
November 22, 2011There’s a lot going on in each photo as far as the styling but it manages to never look cluttered or sloppy and the pieces harmonize very well. Bravo!
Robert M.
November 22, 2011I really need to move to where the action is. I have enough trouble finding two models that will both remember to show up, but you got a dozen people at least to get together at once. AND the results were incredible. You lead a charmed life, Melissa.
Sonny B Photography
November 22, 2011I shot three huskies a couple weeks ago for a client’s holiday card. Beautiful dogs but dumb as a box of hammers. Looks like you had better luck with your talent than I did with mine!
Morten
November 24, 2011WOW!!! Your work is amazing, i just found this blog and have been reading it for hours and hours. I love these pictures. Can you tell me where you got this backdrop? i just love it. And the post processing is subtle yet so effective. Is it possible to share what was done in post?
I`ll keep reading your stuff it GREAT!
cissy
November 25, 2011These photos are making me super excited to drag out my winter fur. really curious about that coffee machine tho since you mentioned it
Peter C Fotographie
November 25, 2011Just plain beautiful.
Victoria - Washington Boudoir Photographer
November 26, 2011LOVe the girl with the wolf shots, how did you get them to be so calm?!
Sasha
November 28, 2011You are amazing, Melissa! Thank you so much, you’re a true genuine character! x
Przemek Czaicki
November 28, 2011Not only does the shoot look absolutely amazing, but it also looked like bloody good fun! Way to go! Awesome retouching too.
Ellen Einkauf Photography
November 29, 2011Those dogs are so gorgeous!
slide scanning
January 2, 2012Love the makeup, this makes me want to snuggle up in fur and never go outside!
Ben Taylor-Davies
January 3, 2012These are just stunning! So beautiful!
Fernando Salcedo
January 18, 2012Amazing! I never thought that such a shots could be taken in front of a mere fabric.
Ethat
January 24, 2012Damn cool cold photos. Reminds me of old-timed viking movies.
Vanessa
March 19, 2012That is my dream camera, you have no idea. When I got my NikonD3000 a couple of years ago I felt like such a badass, now it just feels like a holga compared to the PhaseOne. I’ve been trying to get my foot in the door, but the lack of professional equipment seems to push me back. Well anyways, I absolutely love your work and truly find you as an inspiration. Keep it up girl.
Jan
May 19, 2012Just came across this old post.
I totally agree with your conclusion. I’ve been dual system for some time now – a Canon 1DsM3 as my everyday workhorse camera, and a RZ67ProIID as my film camera. I’ve always toyed with the idea of a digital back, but the investment is steep.
However, if you look carefully there are quite a number of used backs available on eBay as pro shooters are upgrading to newer models. I just picked up a P25 for $5K, which is a lot more reasonable. And now my Mamiya shoots both digital and film MF. And the P25 is plenty resolution for most things – if I occasionally need more, I can always rent, but at least my workflow and muscle memory will already be dialed into the system.