Portrait of a Bodybuilder - Daniel S.

Had a great time photographing a bodybuilder - Daniel. This is the result of two years of dedication, tough exercise and dietary regimes, lots of chicken, tuna and eggs. Well done Dan!

Shot at the Doherty's Gym at Flinder Street, Melbourne, a location studio setup with Lastolite background, one strobe light, rectangular soft-box and flash as remote slave. The challenging part of the shoot was carrying everything to the location. Despite the backdrop was mounted on the window frame and there was some light penetrating the muslin, the strobes were strong enough to flood that.

Here is the final results. Enjoy!

Doherty's Gym with Daniel S. in B&W

Here is Black and White Edition of the Body Builder, Daniel S. shoot at the famous Deherty's Gym in the CBD at Flinders Street, Melbourne.

Doherty's Gym with Daniel S. in Colour

Here are several pics of Body Builder, Daniel S. taken at the Doherty's Gym in the Melbourne City at Flinders Street, in colour. 

On Location Studio

Pretty simple but good set up with two lights, two cameras, two triggers, backdrop and big screen hooked onto camera via USB for instant review by customers and potential customers. In 5 hours, we went through more than 130 families. What a good workout and a busy day! Luckily, I had three helpers (Charlie's Angels). Also, a friend of mine, Bronson (the Stig) helped to take my picture and more. Thank you very much indeed! Can't share clients' pics with you so I will just share some of the pics of the crew. :D

I was determined to have some pics of the set and the crew at work. So a second camera was set up on remote trigger linked to the first body. With custom built cable to enable pre-focus function, it worked like a dream, pics are in focus. This one was taken by one of the angels. Sweet!

For the most part, the second camera sat on a chair with Kermit the frog (the one above) on top guarding it for me as it fired away automatically. For this pic, Bronson, the Stig was behind the main camera. Thanks dude!  

And here is the result! ♥ ♥ ♥

OMG, where have I been?

Last year was a busy year. This year is even more busy. Thank you so very much to all my clients, especially repeated clients who keep coming back. You have truly kept my dream alive and added much colours to my life. Your support has been invaluable to my development and journey! It is time to catch up on homework and write about what has been happening! Watch this space! (And you say, "What? David is asking for even more time?!" >:( )

The first thing I want show you is this: Studio portrait photography. Yes, I have started doing studio portraits. As always, can't put client's pix here without permission so this is a pic of me and my partner. Taken by my colleague on the day (thank you Bronson!), using my gear and backdrop we bought just a day before. We were so lucky to be able to get a proper muslin backdrop. I love it! :)

For those keen photographers out there. The images below might interest you more. This was "studio". It is actually not my studio but at a client's foyer. So, it is technically a on-location studio portrait shoot?

The first picture is a much better exposed and framed. However, I do prefer the second photo. It communicates just the crazy environment I was working with - parting the crowd, giving direction to the subject/s, etc - a busy, high energy environment. Absolutely loved it! :D

Heehee, I don't have enough lights so had my trusty flash to add some back-light. You can see the tripod legs in the first picture if you look carefully... :P

Family/Children Portrait Photography

Bought a new mattress recently and was offered a big discount voucher for family portrait deal. Shame and salesman won't give me the discount instead of the voucher. I did find out details about the deal and thought to myself, "Boy, this is really expansive!" No, I mean really worth it! :D

Did my first family portrait on location - at the family home. I didn't get the chance to be there first to examine the environment, lighting, etc so I just brought along everything I have... Sorry, couldn't show you pics of it for privacy reasons but I do want to say a few words. I should have take a pic of the set without anyone inside... Keep that thought for next time!

It was fun! My 6 foot tall collapsible backdrop worked well as the wall to block out clutter in the background bringing the focus squarely onto the subject - the family and baby girl Olivia. It is not big enough for the whole family but for the baby girl alone, it is more than sufficient. The family had specifically requested for a black background in keeping with previous studio shots taken before. So I just let Olivia lie on it, curl up the end to make a really really simple black (or white) background. That worked well and Olivia was so nice she didn't put a mark on it at all. :)

Children are impatient, they need direction. And it takes patience and perseverance to work with them. But they are really lovely subject too. They brings tremendous joy. Thank you Andrew for engaging me for this job! All the best to your lovely family.

Adult Portraits

While I was shooting the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week this year, had to do a few portraits for a client for their web site and paper publications. Preparation is the word for the day. When I had a bit of downtime between shoots, walked around and found this really nice quiet secluded place - coffee shop right behind the runway that was being set up for a fashion parade. When the clients rocked up, I was able to tell them exactly where to go, settle them down for a cuppa to relieve any nerve on all parties (including mine!). I am happy with the result. :)

The Caprice School of Ballet

Had an amazing time at The Caprice School of Ballet last week. The kids were incredibly well behaved - they are not camera shy and they know how to pose and their costumes were beautiful. The camera absolutely loves them.

Many parents helped out this year which was really wonderful considering the large amount of materials - costumes, etc that need to be transported, for all the different acts, hair styling, make-up equipments and so on.

The pro studio photographer (Nicole) from National Images was really experienced and great with the kids. It was a wonderful watching her work. I could mistake her to be a dancer if I wasn't told she isn't!

All these put together made the job very efficient and fun. :)

The only trouble I had on the day was that I was hungry! Tried several times going to the canteen to buy a humble little Four'N Twenty pie for lunch but failing every single time. The pies were either not ready or they were sold out. Thank God at least I got some orange juice to keep me going. Must bring food next time!

Here are some rehearsal pics, I can't wait til the gala performance evening!

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) 2010 - Backstage - Styling & Make-Up

Shev Kelly from Napoleon Perdis showing off her work on model Amiee. ♥



I love the backstage. In fact, I love the backstage even more than the stage.

There are so much excitement, people concentrating, working hard, emotions are running high. I love it! It is also very crowded and can often be very hot also.

One tip, restraint from firing away before make up is done. After all, models make their money being beautiful, looking their best.

Thank you so much to the team of Kevin Murphy and Napoleon Perdis and of course the models for sharing your precious space behind the stage with us. :)





Great to see the workers taking pride in their work and having fun too! :)

Happy Birthday Reuben

Congratulations to proud father Aasheesh and mother Divya for your beautiful creation Reuben who just turned one.

With much hard work from the parents, a humble warehouse was transformed into a fantastic party hall, Pooh bear themed decorations, cup cakes, and an absolutely fabulous birthday cake, wonderful Indian foods and over 60 friends and family to share this special day with.

Thank you for having us capture this wonderful occasion for you. Hope you love the results! :)

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear Reuben!
Happy birthday to you!

जन्मदिन मुबारक रूबेन

Face Painting

Tanya from Let's Face It has been employed at our children function a couple of times (1) for face painting and I think she does a pretty excellent job.

I really enjoy photographing her work and the kids love it too! In fact, some adults/parents are so impressed that they want it for themselves as well! :)

Sorry, I couldn't show you her work without permission from the parents. There is a little gallery on her web site, Let's Face It, if you are interested.

Anyway, here are two that don't show the kids very clearly and yet do a decent job in demonstrating her skills. To make sure the former is true, I have photoshopped them also. Don't worry, his eyes don't naturally glow like this. ;)

Well done Tanya. All, Enjoy!

BTW, I am not affliated to her or her company and do not get any commission saying this!

Children Christmas Party

This is absolutely the cutest kid. Lou, you've got some amazing genes hidden inside. Took a picture of her last year and boy that was my favorite children photo and it made its way into several publications inside the NAB without surprise. xoxo

Thank you very much Lou for letting me take pics of her again. The pleasure is all mine! Sorry, didn't ask you if it is ok to give her a box of chocolate. Hope you are cool with that.



Couldn't get this tiger to roar, flashing all his claws and teeths... He and his brother were too absorbed playing on the computers. What do I do? Here is an idea. Lets go for the other extreme... a sleeping tiger! Thought it looked really nice and I hope you enjoy it. The face painter did a really good job. Love how the colours on the face matching his hair, and his top. It crossed my mind to have my face painted also seeing such good work... but this photographer is too shy.



Just look at how cute this kid vampire is!! For a vampire this cute, may be you would be willing to donate some blood voluntarily. :O

I was required to print photos of children with santa using the office laser printer and laminate them. Shame that the printer quality is terrible. Everything came out green even after we spent good deal of time trying to calibrate it... We should print them properly at a lab next time. Thanks very much David for helping. Couldn't have run them off as quickly as we did without your help.