The white backdrop came off the roll, but before my assistants rushed in to correct the problem, I immediately liked what I saw and had them tape it in place and decided to use the interesting ‘backdrop’ for the entire fashion magazine spread. I simply re-arranged my lighting to take advantage of the scenario
While in Martinique shooting a swimwear series I decided to stay away from the typical cliché of shooting on the beaches (the reason we were flown to the island in the first place). I simply looked for interesting backgrounds to show off the swimsuits.
My ‘fashion’ style is also inherent even when photographing ‘personal’ portraits of friends or family, as in examples below…
Even at weddings that we are invited to I look to shoot something different (my gift to the Bride & Groom) …
It was raining and everyone was inside the cottage or under the tent erected in the garden. Raining? Umbrellas.
Why not; hence the shot above. You can tell that I added my own studio umbrella (silver lining).
When I decide to take a photograph of anyone, friend, family, neighbours … I will always do it “ à la Struan ”, period. I’m not interested in taking a nice ‘snap’ shot of anyone. … then everyone can say they have a photograph by ‘Struan’. When I create “ à la Struan ”, images for friends and colleagues, I always like to keep it a surprise as well as I alone decide on the final select and send them the print that I like. They never see any of the shots, only the print that I give them.
Typical examples of ‘portraits’ that I have taken of friends, usually based on a ‘special’ occasion.
Couple from B.C. visiting Toronto for Thanksgiving weekend. My gift was a portrait as I couldn’t be out West for the wedding but I wanted to capture the essence of the countryside out in B.C. as they are both avid nature lovers. It was cold & windy but worth the trouble to create this down in the Beach area.
Even composition adds to the strength of a photograph … and patience for something ‘different’ to happen
Grab the opportunity whenever you can …
I shot this after a funeral in Collingwood for this couple who were going to get married in a couple of weeks, but, unfortunately, I was going to be in Europe, so I decided to catch them while I had the chance, as they live in Ottawa, and they were there for the funeral. (Shot in the hedge surrounding the cemetery).
For ‘Portraits’ I’m not one for specific clothing as it always dates the photograph, so I usually come up with simple ideas, such as the shot above, or dress my subjects in black or all white, so as not to take away from the subjects face, which is the real reason for the photograph.
Simplicity … one of the toughest things to create in a photograph but still give it ‘power’
As a Photographer, once you have created and found your personal ‘Style’ then it is important to apply it to everything you photograph, no exceptions!
Struan
