July 20, 2009

Elissa on the Headland (Terrance Bay, Nova Scotia)

Digital infrared original, 2 frame stitch
This striking glacial erratic seemed perfect as a photographic setting but I was concerned its bulk would overwhelm Elissa’s figure; I asked her to perch as close to the edge of the rock as possible and used my widest lens to keep her prominent in the image. Though they are rare, there are times when the success of an image is immediately evident on the camera’s view screen. This image couldn’t have been made without my new 17mm tilt/shift lens, as I was actually standing to the right of Elissa, and shifted the lens to the left to achieve the framing (two images stitched together to create the more square aspect ratio).
Digital infrared original
I've never worked in this location before, so it was a real pleasure to come around a corner and find a mini-field; high bright green grasses surrounding a couple of small granite boulders. I asked Elissa if she could pose on the rock, expecting her to lie down upon it, or drape herself across it, but instead she simply sad, and twisted her body towards me - and then the wind caught her hair, spilling it over her face. At that moment I made this image, loving the contrast between much of the composition and the rich deep tones of Elissa's hair.
Digital infrared original
I frequently make portraits when working with the Nude in landscape, and the above image of Elissa captures everything I seek in these images; it could have been made indoors, or in a studio, but I don't think it would have had the same simple directness as it does in this setting, in the great outdoors.

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