I'd like to say hello again to this forum after being away for some time. In line with the previous out-of-focus background shot, here's a fashion shot of mine.
I'd also like to ask what the fashion scene is like in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver) or NY...Altaf, John K., Shawn? Tommy My site

-- Tommy Zablan (lensman49@hotmail.com), November 26, 2000

Answers

While I'm killing the centering, I might as well credit the model, Amanda Griffin, the stylist, Pierra Calasanz, who works for my client, Meg Magazine in the Philippines.

-- Tommy Zablan (lensman49@hotmail.com), November 26, 2000.

Hi Altaf,

Very nice =) I like the textures, the clash of the purple/violet dress with the green background cloth (both fabrics seemingly having the same texture) and the shimmer on the skin of the model (you had them deliberately put shimmer/gloss on?). The colors and textures of dress, background, and skin do evoke a nice, mysterious bohemian feel to it. Nice poses, far away looks, and diagonal composition as well. I really like the candid-looking intimacy of the second.

Actually Altaf (or Shawn), I'd appreciate how the NYC (or Toronto) scene feels to you guys, indivudual lapses in accuracy or perception (we all have them anyway...what is reality?!?) and all. I'd just like to hear an honest non-beauty-pageant-like, non-politically correct opinion.

-- Tommy Zablan (lensman49@hotmail.com), November 27, 2000.

Sheen is natural, she was working, I was working, we were sweating thus nice sheen. I saw it, liked it, went with it :) The makeup artist did magic with the lips so they would not look dry compared to the rest of her. I love my makeup artist, she made those 2 shots possible.

I did the styling because the stylist well decided it was a holiday and didn't show up. *sigh*

The model did her thing and I did mine, this time it worked out. Almost fell of a 12 foot ladder that was not stable enough to dangle a silly photographer moving around because he had to get this particular angle. Good thing for me I had an assistant holding the silly thing.

New York fashion is the same as new york anything. No one really cares who you are till they have heard of you before you walk in the door. New York loves to slap you around, and it gets strange when that does not become the norm. The more good work you put out the easier it gets to open doors (duh), but those doors don't open easily. Fort Knox would be an easier target than NY. All the giant fishes swim on this side of the pond, a photog here has to work their way up to be a shrimp. One day at time, one step at a time... same old story.

Basically you have to be nuts to try, crazier to stay, and an absolute lunatic to think you will actually make it. Just to point out a few things: Toll collectors are pulling in over 100k a year with overtime, garbage men must be making close to 55k a year, elementary school teachers responsible for our children making 25k, photographers getting shot in war zones and not carrying health insurance... I think you get the point.

Maniac or genius, you decide.

So when are you coming to nyc:)? At least the foods good.

-- Altaf Shaikh (bshaikh@nyc.rr.com), November 27, 2000.

Bohemian, hmm... I like that.

-- Altaf Shaikh (bshaikh@nyc.rr.com), November 27, 2000.

hahahaha, thanks Altaf! That was precious man :) I'd have the way you said that no other way.

Well...sanity was never one of my strong points (as many people over here would attest).

As to when I'd be flying up there, I'd probably have to fly up to Toronto first, probably sometime next year. I understand it's only a short drive south to get to NY from there.

Asides from the food, I was thinking to get tickets to live performances by the Dave Matthews Band and Fiona Apple (if they still perform somewhere :).

-- Tommy Zablan (lensman49@hotmail.com), November 27, 2000.

Ever notice we get very few comments on the fashion threads?

-- Altaf Shaikh (bshaikh@nyc.rr.com), November 28, 2000.

Here in Nashville, the "fashion scene" seems to involve of lot of rhinestone and sequins. : )

But if you're taking unqualified opinions, here's mine.

I think Tommy Z's photo at top is quite strong, but it strikes me as more of a commercial/lifestyle shot than as high fashion.

I like Altaf's bottom photo more than the top one (something about the pose in the top one doesn't feel right), but again, I'm not sure how well the photo says "fashion!"

(See what happens when you complain about lack of responses.)

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), December 01, 2000.