Portrait of a Pianist

-



Yesterday, I re-created this stage-like shot with my alien bees. We were actually in the living room where James Blackburn gives his lessons. Behind him were two full length windows and a bookcase that I had to drop out. I used two lights. I had a third set-up with a snoot for the face but decided against it. This was a lot of fun!

Comments

jB said…
Nina, I'm honored! I was actually (secretly) hoping one of the shots would make it to your site! I've been getting very positive feedback on the pics!

Was nice visiting and catching up whilst you worked your magic! Hope to be able to refer some future clients.
Jim
24 January 2009 at 19:52
Post a Comment

Don't Miss A Thing...

* indicates required

Previous Posts

Pet Photography - Product Photography

-
Image
I am well aware of the old adage, never work with children or pets but I find the challenge they present, half the fun! What's a little Hedgehog poop among friends... Puppies are like children in that they grow up so fast. Their features and expressions alter as they mature. As with children, I recommend that you take as many images as possible to record this evolution. The pet can be a little nervous on set at first so a little coercion helps. After the pet has a little sniff around, I give them a tasty treat. Once I get a few photo's on the card, I give them another treat and a break. They end up quite enjoying the experience. In fact sometimes, they do not want to leave! Combining pets with product photography provides an extra challenge. The brain child of my friend, Alina, we approached this shoot with juxtaposition in mind - Mary K's "Satin Hands" against the grainy skin of the Bearded Dragon and the wiry spines of a Hedgehog against Re...
Read more

Finding Nina Adventure - Packing up my Australian Life

-
Image
The daily reminders of a crumbled love affair and the heartache surrounding my now disconnected family compelled me to make a bold decision. With audacious courage, I quit my teaching job, packed away my photography business, put all of my personal belongings into storage, hired an agent, rented out my apartment, and bought a plane ticket to London. How did I find myself in this complete and utterly dejected situation? That is an entire story unto itself. I’ll brave that one soon, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, I'm heading to London without a definite plan. I’m just going to see what comes up and where the universe takes me. I'll go back to my roots, the place I was conceived and where I have much history. Maybe I’ll start there. Let’s find out. Find out how I got to this point  here . THE AUTHOR That's me. Initially, I thought to describe myself by my profession, I'm a Professional Photographer. Yet, I am much more than my work. I am an insightful, intelligent, adventur...
Read more

London On The Move

-
Image
London Eye from Westminster Bridge as a Red tourist bus passes On a recent visit, I found London to be a bustling hive of activity. Everyone was one the move. Tourists, shoppers, out of town visitors, theatre goers and locals alike. In addition to all of this busy scurrying, add thousands of passionate climate change protesters and supporters who blocked major thoroughfares and brought out regiments of regular and anti riot police squads. If that wasn't enough activity, one of the world's largest sporting events, The London Marathon brought tens of thousands out onto the streets that very same week. Climate Change Protesters at Parliament Square National Portrait Gallery To give a feel for this bustling city, I decided to photograph London on the move by using movement in my images. I did this numerous ways, all with just my camera, no Photoshop. Sometimes I used, long exposures, sometimes rotated the lens, used multiple exposures and even moved the...
Read more

Swim Portraits - Speedo Fun!

-
Image
We spend so much time at the pool, it was finally good to be in the studio again, even if it was for a swim portrait! These photos are for Brandon's athlete Facebook page which will one day soon be used to help gain swim sponsorship's. For me, it's good practice for when the big guys, Speedo or Engine come knocking on my door...wish me luck!
Read more

Top 5 Photo Tips for Lifestyle Bloggers

-
Image
Great photography is vital to lifestyle bloggers who want to stand out and get results. Impactful images get increased engagement on your posts, as well as attracting new followers. Here are my top five tips for great photos. Location Pick a location that compliments the theme of your blog and at the same time provides you with a variety of scenes within a short distance from each other. That way you can capture various different looks, quickly, building a library of stock images to use for future posts. My aim is 2 hours shooting, 5 different locations and looks with approximately 100 images (Stay tuned for my upcoming post on my favourite locations.) These were all taken in the same block for fashion blogger, Kirsty, With Love .. Lighting Always the key to any good photography is lighting. Whether you manipulate the natural elements or use lighting equipment to achieve your look, it should match your style. For a more fashion look, use flash equipment and for a...
Read more

High School Formal Dance Photography - Killara High School

-
Image
Professional portraits for your high school dance or dinner? I wish they had thought of this when I went to high school! Although I remember it vividly, I do not have one image of my year 10 formal. What a fabulous idea! 20 years from now, these kids will love showing these happy snaps to their kids. They will reminisce about what they wore, how great they looked, who their friends were and how much fun they had! I had a wonderful time and all the kids were amazing! They just fell into their poses for the formal shots, each guy and girl looking as though they had stepped out of a magazine! Sometimes the formal consists of a dinner but tonight we are dancing away at Home Nightclub at Darling Harbour, downtown Sydney.
Read more

Zombie Meets Indulgent Sufferers - My recent stay in hospital.

-
Image
I arrived at the Emergency Room, wrapped in my toasty blanket. Despite it being 28° outside of my furry throw rug, it was closer to 40°C inside my body, so it felt freezing to me. I slowly moved through the doors like the walking dead emerging from a post-apocalyptic horror scene. The admin nurse took one look at me and bade me sit in the red priority chairs, whilst I waited for my triage nurse to finish her tea. I lowered myself tentatively and, unable to remain upright, lay shivering across all three chairs. The nurse arrived abruptly and suggested emphatically, before she had examined me, that I had Rhinovirus.  I explained to her that, as Rhino = nose and my nasal passages were decidedly clear and my brain decidedly lucid that I begged to differ. She replied, “What do you mean by lucid?”  I pretended that the roll of my eyes was due to the fever and briefly explained lucidity as the opposite of brain fog, then went on to relay my actual symptoms. Above-normal temperature, ...
Read more

The Love Story - The Final Word

-
Image
THE FINAL WORD Present: As I prepare for my return trip to London, I flick through upcoming walks on Meetup hoping I might join one during my stay, when I come across a picture of him from a recent event. A woman, his latest girlfriend I suspect, leans into him smiling contentedly. She seems happy. He looks mildly distressed and lost in contemplation. I suspect he needs to tell her something but he is too afraid. He’s done it again. The Parisian Doctor and I didn’t work out. We did go for lunch and it was all very exciting but I don’t think I was quite ready and there was that niggling feeling that I was being catfished. After Paris, we met up a few more times for walks and drinks where he persistently asked me about “the Doctor”.  I wondered whether it was jealousy or zealousness to have me attached so that I might make a trajectory out of his orbit. I think the latter. Sipping Pinot Grigio at Gordon’s wine bar near Charing Cross station one afternoon, he confessed that ...
Read more

SWIM SQUAD PHOTOGRAPHY & INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS

-
Image
The Team Photograph... Clubs large and small like the team image for their websites and to display at their pool because it demonstrates professionalism, unity and team spirit as in this example of the Oregon City Swim Team, USA . When you swim 6 to 9 times a week, 2 hours each time, your teammates become like family and that's why the kids love to get a print of the team as well. The Swim Portrait... Swim portraits are great because the kids get a chance to look dry and glamorous poolside instead of dripping wet for a change! Action Shots... ...then they can also do some cool action shots as well. Memory Mate Prints... ...or combine the two onto a memory mate print... You can view more images on my website . For more information, or to schedule your team shoot, you are welcome to call or email me anytime!
Read more

Beautiful Teen Girl Portrait- Funny Faces-Too Much Fun!

-
Image
After a few hours of shooting, set changes, outfit and hairstyle changes, we decided to blow off some steam. Just in the casual shirt she came in, Shelly sat for some fun natural shots. We were trying to get the fan going to blow back her hair but it was a mess and we just ended up laughing. The real fun started when Shelly began pulling some amazing expressions. It strikes me how beautiful she remained even when she contorted her face so!
Read more