Page created October 8, 2005
Sitting date:  August 31, 2005

  

My favorite model, Jessica (first sitting, second sitting), is a fine photographer in her own right, but as a starving college student, she can't afford models often.  We decide to share models during her summer visit with her folks.  In early August, we photographed Yulia together.  In mid-August, we had an all day photo orgy with Betcee May.  Finally, at the end of the summer, Jessica comes over to pose just for me, just the two of us.

 

 

Three of my last four sittings took place using natural light, usually on location.  For a large part, this was because I participated in multiple photographer sittings, and using natural light was simply fairer & more efficient than using studio lighting.  Further, Jessica was more comfortable using natural light -- that is her style.  Regardless, it was time for me to go back to studio lighting, and that was my intent for this sitting.

That being said, when Jessica arrived, we had a sunny late summer day going on, and this window, the only one in my house facing south, yielded a sunny patch on the wall & the floor.  I've used this light a few times before.  In mid-winter, the sun is lower & sweeps across the wall; in mid-summer, the sun is high & puddles down just below the window.  Today, in late summer, the light is still fairly directional.

We can't resist this gift from the sun gods.  Jessica removes her clothes & settles in our little patch of sunlight. 

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Why Do I Make Photographs?

This is a very important question, one I suggest that all photographers should ponder.

Some of you might think that I make photographs because I like seeing & interacting with beautiful young nude women.  Well, yes, that is true, but that is not the primary reason I make photographs. 

 

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Some of you might think that I make photographs because I enjoy making works of art.  Well, yes, that, too, is true, but that is not the primary reason I make photographs. 

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The real reason I make photographs is that it gives me insights.  I approach photography in a cerebral way, and when a subtle question pops up, I ponder it, and eventually I get an insight into the nature of the world or into myself.

And that insight, that I make photographs to gain insights, is a new insight to me.  (Go ahead & parse that sentence -- I dare you).

With that in mind, here's a new way to assess the success of a sitting:  the more insights I get from a sitting, the better the sitting is for me.  The quality of the resulting images is not as relevant as the quality of the insights.

 

 

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So, how did I gain this insight?  I am well aware that Jessica is far & away my favorite model.  The question is "why is that"?  I think Jessica is my favorite because I gain more, deeper, & more valuable insights when I work with her.  This sitting was no exception.

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Okay -- another insight:

What is Beauty?

Look at Jessica.  She won't like me to say this, but she's a bit on the short side, at times she is awkward & other times she is graceful, she usually dresses in college student tom-boy clothing, she has that big beauty mark on her rib.  Maybe her legs are a bit short.  

But for my money, Jessica is wildly beautiful.  Her beauty is natural, not studied & polished & conventional.  I even suspect that I find her more beautiful than she does herself.  Now why is that?  She's not willowy & tall.  She's not classic in any way, yet I can't take my eyes off her.

A visitor commented that the harder women chase beauty, the more beauty retreats.  Jessica is so darn beautiful in large part because she is totally natural and totally herself.

 

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So maybe we are talking about a level of beauty that is different from simply physical appearance.  To me, Jessica is beautiful even when I can't see her (talking on the phone, trading e-mails, or when I close my eyes).  As a photographer, one should never underestimate the value of "chemistry".  Jessica & I are very comfortable with each other, and as such, we challenge each other more.  That is very valuable, and that trust contributes greatly to our results. 

 

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More than before (during our previous sittings) and more than any other model I've worked with, Jessica is a very active participant during this sitting.  She is suggesting ideas.  She is requesting certain kinds of music to play in the background.  She is suggesting props.  We are working together more than I've ever done with any other model.

This sitting continues with Light & Leather

 

(Remember -- feedback is always appreciated) 

All images (c) 2005 Looknsee Photography

Jessica's Third Sitting Out Takes

Over 80 more images from this sitting are available in the Out Takes Galleries.  These galleries are available to those who have made a donation to the upkeep of this web site.  See this FAQ question for more details.

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