Uploads from The Round Peg, tagged red, with geodata

It is a matter of perspectives

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:51:15 -0700

Yesterday's comments to my photos has been very interesting and made me understand few things. One that I already knew is that it is extremely hard to reproduce those set of emotions that can be candidly captured on the streets. Staging a set inside a small studio and giving just a couple of hours to the models to get used to the camera, the instruction and everything else is not something easy, nevertheless it has been really funny.

Stop London: it is snowing

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:55:49 -0800

The Round Peg posted a photo:

"A traffic light under a blanket of snow in Trafalgar Square. London, 2nd February 2009"

When we got home, yesterday afternoon, the blinds were closed and we did not open them as long as I read someone twittering that there was quite some snow on the streets of London. So, curiously, I went to the window and I found a white surprise. During the evening the blanket of snow grew thicker and thicker.
During these years I have changed a lot and my reaction to snow in the cities is one of those changes. Back in Italy a snowy day would have been an issue, trouble with the car, trouble because you get wet and then the snow melts... what a jerk I was! Right now it is snow, just snow. You can enjoy the city with a white mantle, people are usually happier (today everybody was smiling) and you can return a child for some minutes.
Is it snowing? Enjoy!
When we woke up this morning, outside our windows the snow was almost four or five inches thick and the world was incredibly silent, with very few cars running around and with all the city noises softened by the snow. I did not get upset knowing that all the buses were suspended or that the tube was overcrowded. I did not even get bother by the fact that once in the office I received an SMS telling me that I could have worked from home. I took my new camera and I walked for some time outside (I was still early for work) and I played around with images.
For a day London has been slow, silent, with an incredible number of people smiling and taking photos. Well, let it be, let London stop for some time and let the Londoners smile and play.

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy!

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

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Advertisement Campaign?

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:16:13 -0800

The Round Peg posted a photo:

Fabiana and I are working on a new studio project and, even if still in the very early stages, we are quite excited by it. This shot is one of those who kick-started few of the ideas behind, but I have to admit that I will be naughty enough not to reveal many things... I like working with Fabiana because we form a very close team and brainstorming brings very interesting elements together almost seamless. The other day we were out eating something and we were discussing how we can leave a footprint in the photography world; believe it or not we want to do it in a couple of years. We do not want to become two of the many photographers that hunt their day to day photo shoots. I know that many of you are thinking "Yeah, ok, like everyone else in the world!" and I cannot disagree, but the difference between those who make it and those who do not is something the first did, so we will do something!
A component of the plan we will set in place was kick-started by this photo. Still in studio, on the day of the session, Suzana saw this photo just downloaded on my computer and she said "It almost seems a Prada Advertisement Campaign!". Initially I was flattered by the comment, but only later I did realize something I never thought before (consciously at least): Advertisement is a world where a good photo with a good idea can make the difference.
No, I am sorry I am not going to tell you what we will do in details, also because the idea is still in its initial, ectoplasmic form. We are going to create some "Virtual" advertising campaigns, in order to practice with some ideas and to train our gaze on some particular issues.
Stay tuned!

Behind the scenes

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:15:56 -0800

The Round Peg posted a photo:

Fabiana and I have a great way of working together: we understand each other and we complete each other. We use the light system for some time each, and when one is "directing", the other do not watch, but follow the scene with a faster lens and higher ISO. I have found myself more proud of some "behind the scene" shot than of the normal one. In this shot Donna was already relaxed, she had already changed her dress and she was enjoying the presence of many lenses directed towards her.
A great deal of work has been done by Suzana, the extremely talented MakeUp Artist who assisted us during the session. Suzana is one of those people I like to work with: proactive, not scared of talking, proposing and helping when it is needed. She was an invaluable member of that team.

Meet Donna

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:04:55 -0800

The Round Peg posted a photo:

For being in her first session as a model, Donna did a great job! It did not take long before she relaxed and even if in some of the first shots she was a little "scared", the session went extremely well.
Donna was the first of five models (four woman and a man) we hosted for a long eight hour session at the end of November. The session was a very good experience since before entering the studio and we have been extremely lucky with the models.
Fabiana and I first met Donna at a party; we both worked for the same company in different times, so we had common friends. When I started twittering about the session, she saw my posts on facebook and she asked me if she could have joined the session. She was, on paper, the least experienced model on the set, but she worked very professionally and with fun.
This was one of the first photo I took of her. Being the first model, I wasn't "warm" and it took me some time to get some good photo. I decided to let her sit down, giving her my mac to bring something inside the frame, something she could focus her attention on, and it did work indeed.
Thanks Donna!

The Creative Head

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:23:11 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

During the Mayor's Thames Festival I have shot quite a lot of photos I have edited in colors. In many of them I have decided not to desaturate. More than this I have decided to enhance them.
I was hit by the expression of this man. He seemed to be pretty rough, but in the photo the feeling is totally different.
The boy in the background was supposed to be still like the other two, but he decided to stand up exactly when I triggered the shutter.

On another note I would like to start a new personal project: Street Portraits. I am looking for people willing to be shot by me on the streets of London. The Street is the Studio and the real people are the Models. Are you interested? Contact me: I need your soul! :)

Shooting the Sunset

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:33:20 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

Yesterday we went to the first day of the Mayor's Thames Festival 2008. Apart from the many people walking down the South Bank, the event has been pretty dull. The interestingness has been raised by the fantastic weather and by the occasional, interesting passers-by. I had a nasty hay fever, so many of the shots were not in the timing I wanted, or they were simply not exactly what I would have wanted. Bummer.
The weather, however, gifted us with a fantastic Sunset, that culminates with a dozens of seconds of red light.
Strangely this one has been a feast of colors, and many of the edited images has a lot of colors, not too much Black and White... well, it is nice to change, from time to time!

View On Black

On another note I would like to start a new personal project: Street Portraits. I am looking for people willing to be shot by me on the streets of London. The Street is the Studio and the real people are the Models. Are you interested? Contact me: I need your soul! :)

The furtive look

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:18:03 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

Sometimes things are not what they seems...
Watching this shot I had the clear impression that she spotted me, that she watched me clearly. If she did she did not do anything at all, if not carrying on her phone call. I think that this happens more times than I would expect...
The thing that hit me of her were her hair, and the funny position she held to listen to her phone more clearly.

Changes

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:19:47 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

During the last week there have been a lot of issues that prevented me from being very active with my camera. From moving into a new office to some endless problems with a tooth to some fever and a stupid cut on one of my fingers. It is a period where I am changing a lot of things and I am planning more changes for the near future, and this has exhausted me.
I plan to get my camera and go around London tomorrow, maybe taking photos related to the possible tube strike.
Meanwhile I still have some shots I like. This one has been heavily post processed, but the result is really good in my opinion.
She was walking, holding her bag, the mobile phone and putting her sweater on. Clearly multitasking, isn't she?

Fire Breating

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:16:07 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

Pyros breathed a great blast of flame directly into the face of the ancient red
dragon. He watched in satisfaction as the head withered, the eyes melted.
But Matafleur ignored the flames that seared her eyes, forever ending her
vision, and flew straight at Pyros.
- Dragons of Autumn Twilight

In my childhood I have read a lot of novels on Dragons. Saturday, when Fabiana and I were walking in Preston Park during the Brighton Pride, we saw this man who was breathing fire, like one of those mythological creatures.
He was in the middle of a perfect lawn, with his pointy hair and his flammable breath.
I took some time to take some photos of him, even if I can now say that I did not take enough photos.

I have to admit that I did not manage to take good photos of the parade itself, but at least some of the photos in the park were good!

The gender of a Vampire

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:04:57 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

Many colorful people walked the roads of London during the Pride. It has been a joy being there, watching them, trying to capture them in the same way my bare eyes did. I personally do not think that the reasons why all those people were there were laughable or simple matters. Someone asked me, just before the parade, why there is a gay pride, and not a straight pride. The reason is that, even if colorful and joyful, this is a rally to protest against all the injustices gay people must face. We should never forget that homophobia is a real problem.
I am in full support of personal freedom. I do not mind who you Love. Be free and be yourself!

I have decided to name this set "Some people are Gay. Get over it!", following one of the billboards proudly carried by the people in he parade and sharing the idea that homophobia is bad.

Red Dragon

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:01:33 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

The other day I was walking around Leicester Square when I saw a Premiere (Kung-Fu Panda). The place was awfully crowded and there was not a single place to take any decent photos. I managed to get just this one without having someone to move in front of the camera.
After few minutes of dodging people I decided I had enough and I moved forward to another location, but this photo was good enough!
I love the red and yellow tone of this dancer. Even if the light is a little bit hard, I like this feast of colors one in a while!

Just now I realize that today it is my second anniversary on Flickr! YAY!

Darkness and Light

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:26:36 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

My Muse came from the dark, dressed in Black and Red, with her new hair color. She is my life, she is my inspiration, she is everything I could have ever dreamt of.
...but if you think that all this comes in a light shell, think again. Fabiana is a Fascinating World, where Light and Darkness cohexist in a delicate and addictive mixture. You cannot read her from the beginning to the end, like a book, no. Knowing her is like a constant discovery, an endless and Fantastic Journey.

She is the half of my apple, she completes me.

Imagine a Violinist on the Thames

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:06:39 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

She was standing there, on that bridge, unaware of all the people around her. The weather was nice, the temperature warm, but it could have snowed, because she was in her world, the world of music.
Many people passed by, some of them leaving a coin behind, but she never opened her eyes for the long minutes I stood there.
I do not know the name of the music she was playing, but it was fantastic.

The Red Armchair

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:57:54 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

Part of the "First Studio Session". Fabiana has been my great model! I have to admit that she has been superb, and she helped me a lot with the poses and everything else. For being my first session with lights, umbrellas and so on, I have to admit that I am happy of the results!

When I set the red armchair on the set, Fabiana just came out from the dressing room and, before I was able to tell her how to stand, she set her knee on the armchair. I just told her where to look, but she has been so natural that this is her favorite shot.
Unfortunately I cut a little part of the armchair, nevertheless I love this photo... but I love the model much much more! :D

The Lion

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Sun, 03 May 2009 02:36:28 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

Danny is one of the photographers I had the pleasure to host during the light workshop. I have always seen his photography as extremely interesting, very different from mine and so quite peculiar to my eyes. During the course he volunteered to stand in front of the camera when the models were not ready and so I had this shot to explain the light ratio. So a example shot turned out to be quite a nice photo. I know that the shadows are extreme on his face, but I wanted to show them what happens with one light only... and I like it!
Thanks Danny!

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How cheeky am I?

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:54:40 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

Few days ago Fabiana was checking the comments on one of her photos and she remain shocked when someone left a homophobic comment. The comment itself was left by someone with no respect and it was erased: this are the things that make me feel proud of supporting the Gay Pride.
In all my life I have supported the FREEDOM in all its aspects. Being free to love whoever you want is one of them, and like the faith it cannot be judged by those who feel different.
"It is a shame" a friend would say, with a big smile on her face, watching this guy. And he was not the only one I have seen. The guys I have seen during the parade were all very well kept, perfectly shaved, with "state of the art" bodies.
Respect is the word that sometimes someone forgot while judging the life of the others.

The devil is in the details

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:17:51 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

The devil, it is told, is in the details, in the small reflections, in the naughty thoughts. When I saw this guy, his little horns on the forehead, his grin (far from being evil I have to admit) and those shades that reflected the world around him without revealing his eyes, well it was a perfect shot.
The red all over the frame is just the reflection of the fire within.
What was he thinking while he was biting his lips? Was he leaving his eyes going on some beauty (and being at the London Pride "beauty" can be a vague reference in my opinion)?

I have decided to name this set "Some people are Gay. Get over it!", following one of the billboards proudly carried by the people in he parade and sharing the idea that homophobia is bad.

Simply... Red

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:49:42 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

Amongst everyone else in Oxford Street she was there, simply... Red.
Her white dress was broken only by red, in her scarf, her necklace, her bag and, out of sight, her shoes. It was impossible to miss, but from another perspective she was so simple...
In these last months I have developed (or maybe enhanced) my love for everything red, from my shirt to Fabiana's shoes... this photo comes as a perfect complement to this time!

Sitting down

nobody@flickr.com (The Round Peg) — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:14:29 -0700

The Round Peg posted a photo:

Part of the "First Studio Session". Fabiana has been my great model! I have to admit that she has been superb, and she helped me a lot with the poses and everything else. For being my first session with lights, umbrellas and so on, I have to admit that I am happy of the results!

Fabiana loved the photos in her black skirt and white shirt. The presence of her beloved red shoes helped a lot... I believe that with this outfit I have failed to grab the "perfect moment", but I have still to learn why, if for the pose or for not having valorized some details enough.
Do you like them or do you feel that they miss something?

PS: behind her right foot you can actually see her hair band. I was not sure if I wanted her hair to be tied or not... in the end they weren't, but the band remained in sight!