The funnest, most chilled shoot ever.

One of two things needs to happen... Well, this isn't really an ultimatum, i was going to say: I need a website for file hosting, or i need to be more critical in my image selection. Out of the 300ish photo's we shot this day, i have narrowed it down to 21 that i really love and would be stoked to put my name on. 21 out of 300+?. Thats still a lot. And I do need a website soon if im going to start getting paid jobs for myself. So both actually need to happen. Also I spent alot of time in Lightroom with these, where usually I figure out a specific look that im going for, with these, every shot was so different in terms of dynamic, feel, setting, lighting and exposure that almost every scene we shot needed individual tweaks.

The concept of the shoot was..... there is no concept. I just felt like shooting something colourful and fresh and something with a bit of life. I managed to convince a friend quite easily. All was set. We had great weather and great light to shoot. The wait for the evening light really paid off. Next challenge is to get up super early to do a sunrise shoot some time aswell.

The girl you are looking at is the lovely Ms Daniella Puccini. A friend of mine who also has never posed or been photographed seriously before. Very cool vibe's shooting with her, as she is very laid back, easy going and open to all ideas. My assistant for the shoot was my buddy Jason Matthews, who did a rad job of holding umbrella's, changing lenses, setting strobe power etc... Very cool working with friends. Mental note: Rather hire a friend with less photo knowledge and good vibes than a gear-nerd with no personality or creativity.

I have loads of editing to do from the weekend, and loads more cool photo's to show. So without further waiting, here is Ms Daniella Puccini.

SPECIAL PLUG: 


Daniella - You are a star. Your insight and good vibes make this possible. Thank you so much.
Jason - We have worked together a few times, apparently you film school education is paying off. Thanks so much dude, you're my go to assistant in Cape Town.

 

Wakeskate at Rietvlei

Awesome weather today, perfect for a day messing around in the water. I made a mission to a lake kinda vibe with some friends to have a little wakeskate session. My buddy just got a new 40HP Yamaha on his boat, considering it was a 15HP before, this things MOVES now!!! I've wakeskated a bit before, but today i almost landed a 360 second go. SOOOOO close!!! Next time i'll get it.

These friends of mine have had loads of time to practice in my absence, so they where hitting this rail and busting 50-50 shuvit's and boardslide's off it no problem. This also meant i could chill on the bank with my 70-200mm and just snipe away.

Anyway, Im starting to realise the disadvantage of being the photographer all the time when doing cool shit like this. I never get cool photo's of myself. But was still pretty cool to shoot this session. Enjoy the pics. N.

50-50 shuvit out, this is what it looks like when it goes right.

This is what it looks like when it goes wrong. 

Portraits

Shot some portraits of my brother and a friends of ours last night. Just a quick setup with my speedlite and a white shoot-thru. No planning, no prep, just playing around. Kinda like shooting like this, without having to direct and check everything. Just set it up and shoot. I love the ivy against Jason's face. Such a cool contrast. Hopefully will be shooting some more skating later today. Sweet. N. 

Jason Mathews

Herbert 

Slippin' and Slidin'

Its warm, not uncomfortably, but just warm enough that I justify lying on the grass in the shade waiting... I wait patiently, always checking my meter, making sure my exposure is right, that my composition is good, that I have control over the mayhem that is about to unfold.

Dean flies past first, not so much sliding, but smoothly controlling the drift around the 90 degree corner, followed very shortly by my brother who is tucked down into an almost drop-knee stance. The motor drive is working overtime now, 8fps to capture this madness frame for frame. Love that sound.

I love shooting fast moving stuff. Skating. Climbing. Surfing. This is a great day. Tomorrow will be even better. Next time, less motor driving, more sniping. N.