Archive for Characters
Garden Nymph is Published
Posted by: | CommentsMy second Loan Collection Award is published.
I just received my Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Loan Collection Book 2010! It is so cool to be published in such a prestigious and beautiful book. The Loan Collection is a presentation of photographic images judged by the PPA as examples of excellence. This is my second Loan Collection award.
The image that qualified this year is “Garden Nymph”. With this image along with three others, I was awarded PPA Master Photographer of the Year, Silver. The convention coming up in January will feature a Grand Imaging Awards night.
“Garden Nymph” did terrific at the state level scoring a perfect 100 and earning the Fujifilm Masterpiece Award, Judge’s Choice, and First Place Portrait of Women Indoors.
This image along with “Crystalize” that also received a perfect 100, Judges Choice and Second Place Portrait of Women Indoors, “Clay O Patra” and “Queen of the Summer Night” combined to win Iowa’s 2010 Master Photographer of the Year.
Unveiling of “Ice Queen”
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The third image of my “Character” series of portraits started with the working title of “Ice Queen.” The “Character” series is where Star Trek meets Cirque Du Soleil. I get to imagine, design, shop, create, and collaborate.
"Crystalize" by Barb Gordon. M.Photog, CR, CPP
It was a seven and a half hour day model Emily spent with us from hair and make up with www.KelseySmart.com to the last shot I took. There were five hours of preparation put in before the actual photo shoot day plus my shopping time! Her “dress”, which I found at Mall of America, had to be verified as a dress by the sales girl at the store as I was sure it should not really be worn in public! I also found the glass crystals at the same mall. We broke about four of them in the process.
During the make up session, Emily said, “I don’t know who I am anymore. I am excited for this transformation!” She really became a character, took direction, and photographed wonderfully. She endured some discomfort as the eye lashes were quite heavy and tedious to apply.
To go with the ice theme, iced grapes and sorbet served in ice bowls like the model held in some of the images we did. The weather got into the spirit as we had typical Iowa’s icy conditions.
The model's sister on the left, mom in the middle, Emily on the right.
It is really fun to see the model’s faces at the unveiling. Even though the models get to see images a couple days after the shoot , no one, but me gets to see the final presentaion complete with frame and mood lighting until the unveiling party.
Emily beside the five foot image printed on fabric.
Here is the behind the scenes video-
Be invited to the next unveiling party!
Sign up for my weekly newsletter on my website and you will be on the invite list as well at www.GordonPhotography.Biz. People who attend an unveiling are treated to refreshments in theme, an information card with of details about the shoot, and time to meet the models. Join us!
Unveiling of Clay-O-Patra
Posted by: | CommentsThe second image from my new portrait line “Characters” is “Clay-O-Patra”. The unveiling party was last night and we had a great turn out. “Characters” is where Star Trek meets Cirque Du Soleil in a portrait. I get to totally play, create, and collaborate. No expectations, no deadlines!
To go with the theme, our model, Aubree, made pyramids for decoration around the baklava made by Veronica, a Kirkwood culinary student, the humus and pita bread, and the best spiced hot chocolate Kelsey’s mom made!
To build the suspense, the image is covered until the magic unveiling time.
The frame is perfect for this and I like to decorate with the items we used in the shoot.
Presenting: “Clay-O-Patra”
The final presentation of the image, I added a few graphics for more texture.
The necklace I had purchased for glamour photos was the inspiration for the Egyptian flavor, and local artist Dean Dunkel supplied me with plenty of clay.
Kelsey of www.KelseySmart.com used seven colors of eye make up.
Oh how I loved to see their faces! Aubree, the model, is on the left. She did get to see images a few days after the shoot but neither she or make-up artist Kelsey Smart, on the right, get to see the final product until the unveiling party. They also invite their family, friends, and clients to this event as well.
I also made a behind the scenes video to show at the unveiling as well. See it below.
Join us for the next unveiling! Here’s how:
Sign up for my weekly newsletter on my website and you will be on the invite list as well. www.GordonPhotography.Biz. People who attend an unveiling also get an information card, kind of like a baseball card, of details about the shoot.
Clay-O-Patra Revealed
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Unveiling of “Garden Nymph”
Posted by: | CommentsCharacters is a new line of portraits I am doing to satisfy my creativity. Imagine Star Trek meets Cirque Du Soleil. I love the process, shopping, creating, and details that wrap up into an intriguing image. This is the first of three I have done so far. The invitation I created to build suspense for the unveiling on November 19, 2009. 
The behind the scenes video I created to show the guests after the unveiling.
Kelsey, the model, cleverly selected appetizers in theme with the Character she portrayed. She brought stuffed grape leaves, dates, and grapes. Greek wine was also available to our guests. We had a great time and an enthusiastic group.
Kelsey (on the left) and I unveiling the image she modeled for.
“Garden Nymph” is the final title of this image. I made a larger than life size canvas photograph and framed it in a thick burled wood frame. The working title description was “Plant Girl” while we were working on the project. Kelsey Smart, The Art of Smart, www.KelseySmart.com did her own makeup for this image. She used twenty colors! I made the grapevine ball prop seen a little in both images from wild grapevine from my pasture. I also mixed real vines with the silk vines. There are four hours in costume design and assembly and four more hours until that last photo was taken.
The unveiling of a second image of “Garden Nymph”, a full length image. I printed this on fabric five feet tall! I also put a light behind it to really bring it to life.
Here is the final full length image. 
We are showing the group the costume I made for the “Garden Nymph” image.
Master Photographer Barb Gordon of Gordon Photography & Gallery, www.GordonPhotography.Biz I invite you to see a video on the Character page of my website at http://www.gordonphotography.biz/characters.htm
Be invited to the next unveiling December 14, 2009
Here’s how: Go to www.GordonPhotography.Biz and sign up for my newsletter and Action Guide in the upper right corner. You will get a special invitation to the upcoming unveilings of future Characters. They really are better in person!
Aftermath of Creativity
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Aubree posed for a “Character” session. We are not ready to unveil the images yet but this is how she looked during clean up! She was a trooper, as the clay got a little itchy as it dried.
Collaborating for "Characters"
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“True creativity requires collaboration” is a quote from one of my favorite books, “The Spark”. It is a look at the creativity and processes of Cirque Du Soleil.
This morning at the studio was one of those times of true creativity. I love collaboration and brainstorming. So much can happen.
The next two photo shoots for “Characters” are in the works. While brainstorming with my model, Aubree, and makeup and hair artist, Kelsey Smart of The Art of Smart, we actually came up with the next two ideas.
We even have titles for both already. Titles are an important part of the story and usually the hardest part, but we nailed these two right away. It does seem easier naming an image before it is created; you can direct all the creation toward that concept. It’s kind of like having a theme for decorating a room. Naming an image after the fact is so much harder for me. That being said, I am not going to reveal the final titles yet—build the suspense up a bit!
The first idea for Aubree involves clay. We are shopping for fabric and accessories today. There will be a costume making day and a little dress rehearsal before the actual photo session, which is planned for August 12. So much to do!
The second idea is about ice and over-the-top glam. I already have most of the materials for this one, which is why it went together so well and fast. I had purchased many of the items in Maui not yet knowing how I was going to use them. As soon as we had the concept, I knew the perfect model would be my cousin Emily. Let’s see if she is available!
A project like this usually takes about a month before the big reveal, so stay tuned for more sparks of creativity!
Barb Gordon, Master Photographer
http://www.gordonphotography.biz/