Once again I moved with all my cameras to Olive Tree Studio for a few hours. Once again I was photographing yoga classes but this time in a bit different way. That was over a week ago. 'Mother/child' and 'Partner' yoga - the theme of my latest session. To get a context please come back to the previous article where all about Chroi Yoga/Christina Breen (my client) and Olive Tree Studio has been already said. Please click HERE.
This session as the first one was very well prepared in advance by myself and Christina. We met a few times to discus in details how everything should looks like. All this project is my first experience with yoga photography so it was important to know what exactly I should focus on while working on such a specific and very challenging assignment. Especially in my case - completely non-yogic person. What was important for Christina is my style of photography, her vision and belief that these two worlds /my B&W play of lights, shadows and forms and Christina's bright, mindful way to attain a state of permanent peace/ will work together perfectly. ...And she was right. It works really well! I created a series of photographs which shows many significant aspects of yoga represented by Christina as a professional yoga teacher.
We spent some time also after both session talking about every single photograph I edited out from all bunch of processed negatives. That was another interesting experience as we were looking at it from completely different perspectives having in mind mentioned two worlds /our private worlds/. There was a few photographs we had opposite opinion about but our conversation created a really good way to understand each others point of view and find a 'way in the middle'.
...Also as before, presented photographs are just a samples. All series you will be able to see in-between other photographs on ChroiYoga new website soon.
I am presenting on this blog varies aspects on my photography. From experiments and tests through my personal projects and exhibitions up to more interesting assignments I have a pleasure to work on. We all have own style of work and the way we are the most productive and able to get the best of our knowledge and talent. It is always very personal and depends on many aspects. It concerns not only photographers but all professions I would say. As a traditional photographer I appreciate every moment I can slow down and contemplate the scene before recording. Every session takes a time. It has to be planed and properly prepared to eliminate fortuity. It is especially important in case of equipment I am using. Pressing the shutter release is the final moment. Everything what has to be done in relation to the image is happening before that. After, there is only chemistry… I am happy enough to work with people who perfectly understand such process most of the time.
Two weeks ago I had a pleasure to work on something completely new for me. I was photographing children yoga classes for Christina Breen (Chroi Yoga), yoga teacher (trained in Yoga for Children & Families with www.rainbowkidsyoga.net) and Montessori educator. As you probably remember this is not our first cooperation. Last summer I took two portraits during the event organised also by Christina. /You can have a look at it HERE/ This session was a pure pleasure as it suits very well my style of work which is always in benefits for my client and myself. Christina perfectly understand every visual aspect of type/style of photography i am representing and she has a fantastic approach to it. She can also read images in the way that many photographers wouldn't be able to do so. I came to see the class some time before session to get an idea how everything looks like and what can I do in there to make the best images possible. Olive Tree Studio, where this session took a place, is located in the basement of 19th century house. It is a beautiful space for yoga and dance. Due to time of the year however we had not enough daylight I needed for this session even if the windows are relatively large. At the same time I didn’t want to use a flash lamps. I am always trying to avoid it as much as possible once I am outside photography studio. It usually flatten image doesn’t matter how well set it is. I truly love ambient lighting as it give completely different dynamic of the image. It is also very important for me to achieve as much natural and realistic look of photographed person and place as possible. Subduedlight, type of the place and the way how the class was runned by Christina - all of it was beautiful and I wanted to show it that way. That was a challenge...
In this case the space we were working in had a few spotlights giving really nice ambiance. I spent a while before session to set those lights and direct them properly into space of the room I was going to work in. The light was still relatively low (for photography) but as most of you know I am always pushing my films at least one or two stops. This time even three. It was just right. We were ready. Session itself took about 3 hours (including over one hour for classes with some beautiful theatrical elements) and it was really hard work for all of us…myself, Christina, our assistants and first of all for children. They were absolutely fantastic and very cooperative. Many thanks to all of them. Here I must also thank their parents! That was the first time I was photographing children (beside my own of course) and it was wonderful experience. Truly amazing event. Christina is a perfect teacher. She has a great contact with all kids. She is also more then kind and at the same time very professional. If any of you reading this article ever thought about yoga class for your child or for yourself - Christina is a person to contact to.
Above images are just an examples showing different stages of that afternoon session. More of them will be presented soon on Chroi Yoga website. Contact details below:
I was using there 4 cameras in 3 different formats and 3 films at 4 different speeds. Sinar F2 large format camera with Schneider-Kreuznach Symmar-S 150mm 5.6 lens, Hassleblad 500cm with Planar 80mm 2.8 lens. Canon A-1 with 50mm 1.4 and Canon 6D with 50 1.4 and 35 2 lenses. Yes, I was also using digital camera this time for a few shots but somehow non of them were as good as recorded on film even if this camera is an outstanding performer, especially in low light situations and also during actor head-shots and business portraits in studio. As for film…a few rolls of beloved TMax 400 exposed at 800, 1600 and 3200, roll of Trix 400 at 800 and for the first time Fomapan 400 4x5 at 400 and also and 1600. It was a test for this film which I never used before. What can I say - I love it! After first light check I had a plan to shoot all at 3200 but apparently small spotlights properly set gave a couple of stoops better light condition. All images processed in Xtol 1:1, except Foma 400 and Trix which I souped in Rodinal 1:50. All scanned on great V700 as always.
Welcome back after quite a long break. I am very busy recently so not much time left for blogging. I would like to show here however a couple of photographs from latest assignment just to keep you up-to-date ;) Last Sunday I've been asked by friend of mine Christina Breen, Yoga Teacher and Montessori Educator /Chroi Yoga/ to take some portraits during event she was organizing for Bernardos Ireland. To all of you who don't know - Bernardos is a British charity organization founded by Dr Thomas John Barnardo in 1866, to care for vulnerable children and young people. 'A Day for Bernardos' took a place in Olive Tree Studio in Dublin. Workshops runned by Christina and also Michael McCann, Yoga Philosopher and teacher from Northern Ireland ended up with very emotional concert by Mia Parsons, singer and writer with her friend Evelyn on guitar.
Mia Parsons and Evelyn
Michael McCann
Taking into account my busy schedule I was able to spend over there just about half an hour. Very enjoyable half an hour. I was impressed how 'A Day For Bernardos' was organized. Well done Christina! Also meeting new to me, inspiring and talented people it's always a pleasure.
Some technical info... For this assignment I was using my reliable Hasselblad 500c/m with Planar 80mm 2.8 lens and my favourite film Kodak TMax 400 pulled this time to 100.
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