James- 50 year old fashion model- new photos added

DanOstergren · Nov 5, 2017

Yesterday I was hired to do a variety of personal and portfolio shots for a 50 year old model who is planning to come out of retirement, for fun. His husband makes so much money that he doesn't have to work, so he spends most days working out and taking selfies in his home in the West Hills of Portland, and recently decided to get in front of the camera again. Obviously his life must consist of much more than just selfies and working out, but I can really only imagine what it must feel like to be a trophy husband. In all honesty though he is a total sweetheart.

Anyways, these are just the first three that I've edited so far; I have a busy week and may not be able to get more done any time soon. These were shot in available window lighting on an overcast day, with a silver reflector for fill.

In the 4th image I really wish I had captured a bit more light in his eyes. Any time I try editing them I don't like the way it looks, so I only barely brought some light back into them with editing.

jcdeboever · Nov 5, 2017

Very nice. Interesting perspective on #3.

JonA_CT · Nov 5, 2017

I love the high contrast look of these...the intensity that it adds seems to suit his modeling persona (at the very least).

limr · Nov 5, 2017

Really like the third one. Great lines.

Gary A. · Nov 5, 2017

#3 is my fav. The pose/look/suit all seem to work against each other adding a lot of drama.

DanOstergren · Nov 5, 2017

jcdeboever said:
Very nice. Interesting perspective on #3.

Thank you.

DanOstergren · Nov 5, 2017

JonA_CT said:
I love the high contrast look of these...the intensity that it adds seems to suit his modeling persona (at the very least).

Thanks man. Lately I'm trying to be a bit less subdued with my editing. Usually I don't take my contrast very far, but lately I've been enjoying that extra "punch".

DanOstergren · Nov 5, 2017

limr said:
Really like the third one. Great lines.

Thank you. <3

DanOstergren · Nov 5, 2017

Gary A. said:
#3 is my fav. The pose/look/suit all seem to work against each other adding a lot of drama.

3 is a good one, but personally I like 1. Thank you though.

Derrel · Nov 5, 2017

Shot #3 FTW!!! The cowskin rug under the chair is an interesting style touch...seldom seen these days, but my brother and I grew up with these, coming from a family that had been involved in agriculture and ranching in Oregon since the 1840's. To me, the rug echoes the fine leather of his shoes and his belt...in tone and point of origin, so it's just super-fashion-mag-like in its appeal. As to the contrast--the punch is welcome in #3...makes it just BAM!

DanOstergren · Nov 5, 2017

Derrel said:
Shot #3 FTW!!! The cowskin rug under the chair is an interesting style touch...seldom seen these days, but my brother and I grew up with these, coming from a family that had been involved in agriculture and ranching in Oregon since the 1840's. To me, the rug echoes the fine leather of his shoes and his belt...in tone and point of origin, so it's just super-fashion-mag-like in its appeal. As to the contrast--the punch is welcome in #3...makes it just BAM!

Thank you Derrel. We shot in the model's home, and I wasn't sure how viewers would respond to the rug. I'm glad you like it, and I love how it enhances the composition. The shot would feel unfinished to me if it wasn't there. I never noticed the correlation between the fine leather and the rug; thank you for pointing that out.

Derrel · Nov 5, 2017

That fine leather came from, most likely, a bovine very much like the one that made the rug!

limr · Nov 5, 2017

DanOstergren said:
Derrel said:

Shot #3 FTW!!! The cowskin rug under the chair is an interesting style touch...seldom seen these days, but my brother and I grew up with these, coming from a family that had been involved in agriculture and ranching in Oregon since the 1840's. To me, the rug echoes the fine leather of his shoes and his belt...in tone and point of origin, so it's just super-fashion-mag-like in its appeal. As to the contrast--the punch is welcome in #3...makes it just BAM!

Click to expand...

Thank you Derrel. We shot in the model's home, and I wasn't sure how viewers would respond to the rug. I'm glad you like it, and I love how it enhances the composition. The shot would feel unfinished to me if it wasn't there. I never noticed the correlation between the fine leather and the rug; thank you for pointing that out.

I think the rug does an excellent job of highlighting the play between straight angles and subtle curving lines. The perspective and composition feels very angular - the window, the side table, his pose. Then you see the rug and you start noticing the curves in the wallpaper, the lamp, and his tie - even makes us notice the curve in the wingtips. It's that play between angle and curve, soft and hard that I find so interesting about this shot.