Model Society Magazine was good enough to run a big spread of my work in the latest release, Issue 16. The entire issue is over 100 pages featuring six different photographers. There really is a ton of great work in this one. Check the link to grab a copy…
https://www.modelsociety.academy/model-society-magazine-16
NSFW
Eva Luna
Way behind on posts, tons happening, taking part in the 5th annual StartUp Art Fair in San Francisco at the end of April. In the mean time, shot with the lovely Eva Luna way the hell back in September, I think? Either way, here’s a few quick picks, may end up printing a few of these in the next couple weeks… Check out Eva’s work at https://www.instagram.com/earthy.eva/
Juno, Take #2
Second take with Juno from February... more of the amazing window light in this space I've been shooting in... everything below was shot entirely with available light.
Check out Juno's work at https://instagram.com/juno_ltk/. More scans coming soon...
Amber, Rooftop Take #2
Second take from a shoot with Amber on a roof at night in the rain... the rain that didn't quite cooperate, but nonetheless made for some interesting (and very cold) shooting...
Check out Amber's work at https://www.instagram.com/anudemuse/
Amber, Rooftop Take #1
Yes, it seemed entirely normal when Amber said to me "we should totally shoot in the rain at night on this rooftop that I have access to." Because that's the way she rolls. Rain didn't exactly cooperate, though it was still colder than a well digger's ass up there...
Check out Amber's work at https://www.instagram.com/anudemuse/
Brooke Eva, Take #2
Second take from the film scans of a shoot with Brooke Eva in early January. You can see more of Brooke's work at http://www.brookeva.net/. I typically like to take a shot of the setup so I can remember what the hell I did after the fact, thought I'd throw one in for sport. Really digging this strip box I picked a while back. All images shot with a DigiBee 400 mono light, 56inch strip box and a 36 inch reflector.
Brooke Eva, Take #1
First take from the film scans of a shoot with Brooke Eva in early January. You can see more of Brooke's work at http://www.brookeva.net/
Found a great new space to shoot in... beautiful old hardwood floors and great big shop windows with amazing natural light. Got a couple more shoots on the books already for February, looking to use those South facing widows...
New years resolution of shooting more is so far working out. If you're down to shoot, drop me a line, always looking for new people to work with.
All images shot with a DigiBee 400 mono light, Leica M2 /M3 - on Ilford FP4 125 film, developed in Rodinal.
Brooke Eva, Digital Tests...
After several unsuccessful attempts I was finally able to connect with Brooke Eva for a quick shoot last week at a new space I've recently found. Great model, totally comfortable, can either take direction or riff on her own. She's all over the place online, but you can check out her work at http://www.brookeva.net/.
I've also just recently picked up a new light, after going back and forth for months, I finally just pulled the trigger and ordered a DigiBee 400 from Paul C. Buff, and the thing is absolutely rad. Super compact with a ton of juice, I also grabbed a 36" octabox and 56" strip box to round it out. Seriously contemplating picking up a second head.
Posting a few digital tests here, film scans to come shortly...
All test shots done with a Sony A7, Voiglander Nokton 35mm f/1.2, Nokton 50mm f/1.1 and 21mm f/4. Processed with RawTherapee / GIMP on Ubuntu Linux.
Ashlyn, Take #2
Last take from a shoot with Ashlyn way back when up in Mariposa... The places we stay up there are kinda funky, this one has a full on cowboy motif happening, at least in half the house. All the couches have the same cowboy upholstery, it's pretty random...
Not entirely sure how I feel about a few of these images, they're a bit more revealing than I typically shoot, and I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. But here they are for what it's worth... You can see more of Ashlyn's work here: https://www.modelmayhem.com/2352803
Ashlyn, Take #1
Worked with Ashlyn quite a few months back now, an ex-pat model way out in the sticks in Mariposa, outside Yosemite National Park. She's got straight up hippie dreads and a huge personality. It was good fun, you can see a bit more of her work here: https://www.modelmayhem.com/2352803
Threw in a few color shots from the digital tests just for giggles... more scans to come...
Gallery Update: Portraits, Figures, Et Cetera
Dumped a new batch of images from the past couple years into the Portraits, Figures, Et Cetera gallery. Below is a few excerpts... see more in the full gallery at left...
Catalina, Take #3
Last take from a shoot with Cat way back when up in inverness... you can see more of her work on Instagram and Model Mayhem...
Threw in a few polaroids from the land camera and the instax for good measure. I'm almost completely out of the black and white FP3000 film. Think I've got about 6 boxes left in my stash and then it's gone forever. Still can't believe nobody is making pack film for instant cameras anymore. Seems it really is the end of an era.
Anyone who wants to shoot a box with me, drop me a line...
Catalina, Take #2
When you ask a model, currently sans attire, to climb under a picnic table that is basically in a swamp, and she doesn't bat an eyelash, you've basically won the model lottery.
Catalina is, in fact, that model. Check out her Instagram here and her model mayhem page here.
May post one more take from the swamp shoot / location. Have a few interesting polaroids that may deserve a second look. Still have a few more things on deck with other models I'll be posting soon. Hope to be back to shooting in a few more weeks when the leg starts to feel a little better.
Nicole, Take #2
Another take from the first shoot I did up in Inverness with Nicole... You can see the first take of Nicole here and of Catalina here...
The weather held for the most part and we were able to work outside for a bit without risk of hypothermia. Such are the pitfalls of sunny Northern California.
You can see more of Nicole's work on Instagram and of course, Model Mayhem...
More images on the way from both shoots, with some material on deck from New York and Washington DC to come...
Catalina, Take #1
Take #1 with Cat, the second shoot I did up in Inverness at the end of May. You can see Take #1 with Nicole here...
Cat showed up with a small truck load of wardrobe, which I always appreciate, am typically overwhelmed by, and almost never end up using, though we did end up putting a couple looks together.
More material on the way from both shoots, some great outdoor stuff and random shots I really dig involving a picnic table...
See more of Cat's work on Instagram and the obligatory Model Mayhem...
Nicole, Take #1
Worked with Nicole, a rather new model, for an afternoon in May... We were staying up North a ways for the weekend, found this little cottage in Inverness, right on the bay, great light indoors and pretty epic scenery outside.
All images shot with a Leica M2 and M3, 35mm and 50mm Zeiss lenses, on Ilford HP5 film. Lots more from this shoot to come, plus a second shoot at the same location with another model...
The Monte Cristo...
A few frames from the Second Annual Photography Shindig Thingy... some of us photographers and models and creative folks from The Bay have been getting together, in random swanky locations, this year was the Monte Cristo Hotel. We party a little, catch up a bit, we make some pictures, weirdness ensues...
Amber, Take #3
Posting the last few images from a shoot with Amber in October. Always love working with this girl... and feel like I needed a change of pace after all the rain and politics and the world ending and all... All images on location at Marshall's Beach in San Francisco, October of 2016.
Check out my Patreon for print releases from these and other shoots on a monthly basis...
Print Release, March 2017 - No. 0379_20A
Bringing out an older image from the archive for this months release. Kasia contacted me back in September of 2015 asking me if I was Polish like her and if I'd be interested in shooting. This is by far my favorite frame from the entire shoot...
Digital proofs are printed on Canson Fiber Rag, 5x7 proofs are printed on Ilford Cold Tone Fiber. All prints should ship by the end of the week.
To get in on monthly print releases, to support my work, and to get rad stuff in the mail every month, visit https://patreon.com/jszymanski/.
If you're interested in purchasing a print, you can find it in the shop...
https://www.josephszymanski.com/shop/no037920a
Flora, Take #2
Take #2 from a shoot with Flora (http://www.modelmayhem.com/3055887) in October of last year, we shot through intermittent rain and a stiff wind, which is a hell of a lot easier for me to work in than for her, as it turns out...