Archive for May, 2010
May 31st, 2010

Nikita Gale is a 26-year-old self-taught photographer based in Atlanta, Georgia, that shoot 35mm film whenever she can. She’s been photographing for about a year now: “- I started to get more serious about becoming a photographer when, about a year or so after my grandfather died, I found an old suitcase of his that was literally packed with over 200 photographs that he had taken. I had no idea how passionate he was about photography, so I took it as the universe’s way of telling me that I wasn’t just indulging some arbitrary hobby.”

Nikita recently provided me with an intriguing test editorial with Sam from HOP Models, these are her thoughts on the subject of the story: “As of late I’ve been finding inspiration in how grotesque (first world) society’s obsession with beauty and perfection has become. A former South American beauty queen dies during a ‘butt implant’ procedure; 21-year-olds are getting botox injections as a ‘preventative measure’? Where does it all end? We’re practically (and in some cases, actually) killing ourselves by using permanent and mostly unnecessary solutions for superficial and temporary discomforts, and that is really the message I wanted to get across with this editorial. I shot many of the photos through a pane of glass to convey a feeling of overt voyeurism and constraint (from the model’s perspective).”

Her work has been featured in publications such as Pop Matters, OnSMASH, Art & Seek, and many more. At the moment she’s preparing for her first solo gallery show in November, and she’s going to have some work published in two music magazines, Ozone Magazine and Paste Magazine this summer.

Here’s “Sam” by Nikita Gale:

London based fashion photographer Gemma Booth has been shooting professionally for about 10 years, and her work has been published in publications such as Japanese Vogue, i-D, Jalouse, Nylon and Lula. She says she’s inspired by stories, old photos, films, books and exhibitions: “- they can all inspire, but sometimes it just comes from within, from a dream or memory.”

Gemma mentions that she’s currently working on a photography and film project, without wanting to reveal too much. So keep an eye on her, exciting things are to come. And I will of course keep you updated.

The following selection of Gemma’s photos contains commercial work for clients such as Chanel, ROXY, and American Eagle, and selected pieces from her many wonderful editorials:

Around two years ago Mario Peña started taking pictures of things he found beautiful and had access to, like nature. After getting himself some lights he spent 6 months shooting still life to understand lighting and the different techniques. Feeling ready to finally start shooting models he got in contact with a model agency in Los Angeles, and ever since he’s been doing test shoots.

He gets his inspiration from movies, music, love and life, and he always keeps his note book close to note down ideas that might pop up.

Other than a lookbook for Thread Sence, Mario’s work hasn’t been published anywhere yet, mostly because he was careful about promoting his work until he felt he had the right visions and quality to really make an impression. So here it is, let Ben Trovato Blog introduce you to Mario Peña’s work:

New York based model and photographer Dylan Forsberg has been shooting ever since he got his camera at the age of sixteen. Seven years later he’s still using the same camera when taking pictures, and beautiful ones at that. “The first person I took a picture of was my girlfriend around that same time. For a while I only took landscapes but I got back into shooting people after I shot my Mom for a Christmas present. I couldn’t afford to get her anything else and she had just moved to Florida so she was having trouble meeting people. When I got back to New York, I told my friend Hanne and she said I should take some pictures of her. I did and everyone liked them so I shot my girlfriend Kasia next.”

Dyaln claims he doesn’t take in that much inspiration from outside: “- I have a terrible memory and no imagination so I just get a few people in a beautiful place and mess around with my camera settings. I try not to force an idea I have in my head on the people I’m shooting because I don’t want them to act or look posed. I just want to catch them as themselves doing whatever feels right with the atmosphere we’re in. David Armstrong’s work did show me that things don’t always have to be in focus though.”

His work hasn’t been published anywhere yet, but it’s not at a thing he worries about. “With what I’m doing it isn’t really necessary to shoot for magazines anymore. I throw my stuff on a blog, other blogs mention it and it spreads. As long as I do a good job people will like it and tell others. Then when I try to sell prints, t-shirts or a book I have a wide audience of people who actually know who I am and like my work. They’re not buying a magazine for the magazine and seeing my work, they’re coming to buy my work personally from me. I have shot for one magazine coming out in September though, The Last Magazine. The format is amazing and the people working for the magazine told me to do whatever I want and they liked how it came out.”

At the moment Dylan is working on a small t-shirt company called “Where I want to be,” where he takes his landscape photography and throw them on high quality t-shirts, then destroy and dye or tie-dye them. “- Once they’re in stores and online, I’m hitchhiking to the west coast for a book / gallery and more material for my t-shirts.”

Here’s some of his work:

Vancouver based photographer Matthew Burditt has been taking pictures for about ten years but only calling himself a photographer for the last two. His work is mostly inspired by music and the people in his life: “My partner Ken, my creative teams, my mother, they all play a huge influence in how I view the world and similarly how I reinterpret those views into a third-party experience. I’m also hugely inspired by music and the mood that a certain piece of music can make you feel, so quickly. It’s amazing that something can take you on such a journey over the course of 3 and a half minutes.”

Matthew does a lot of work for agencies that represent international models, and his work can be seen in books all over the place. “- which is actually something I am most happy to think about. I’ve been published in magazines like INKmag, TLC, Revista Wilhelmina etc as well as some local magazines and papers.”

Right now Matthew’s working on a series of portraits of artists who inspire him, and I can’t wait to see.

Here’s some of his work:

Florence and Milan based photographer Maurizio Melozzi has been shooting professionally for about 10 years, and his work has been featured in publications such as GQ, Glamour, Marie Claire, Panorama, Amica, Velvet, Jackie, Cosmopolitan, Sin Elite, Flair, Elle, Vogue (Russia), L’Offciel (Russia), InStyle (Russia), and Harper’s Baazar.

He’s inspired by photographers like Peter Lindbergh, Bruce Weber, William Klein, JB Mondino, and some of Terry Richardson’s work. At the moment Maurizio is working on new editorials and advertisement campaigns, and he is always trying to evolve as a photographer, so he dedicates his time off to study and do research.

Here’s some of his work:

New York City based photographer Lucy Carr-Ellison has been shooting four about five years now, four of them while she was in school, and her work has been featured by Husk, Nylon, The New York Times, Blackbook, Juke, Platform, Self-titled, Dossier, iheartfake, and The Ones to Watch (online). When asking her about her inspirations, she answers: “So much inspires me, things everyday so that is kind of impossible to answer. Something that inspired me yesterday might not have the same effect today..”

At the moment she’s shooting editorials, and planning her move back to England at the end of the month.

Here’s some of her work:

Originally from Milan, Frankie Nazardo just moved to New York after having lived in London for a while. He started taking photography seriously a couple of years ago, when he went to New York and worked for photographer Boogie for a couple of months, and now his work has been featured in publications such as Dazed and Confused, I Love Fake, The New Tough, S Magazine, and Loud and Quiet.

He says this about his inspirations: “I’m inspired by a lot of things and people. Today, Giasco Bertoli, Alan Grillo Spina’s FFF series and Ray Tintori’s short film Death To The Tinman.”

Nowadays, he’s working on a small publication called Turtle which he’s going to release soon, on some installation works, and some editorials for various magazines. Exciting!

Here’s some of his work:

Brooklyn based writer, art director and photographer Aaron Richter has been been shooting for a little more than a year now, after he, as he says: “Laid off in Jan 2009, and spent my severance on a camera and jumped right in!” So far it’s his music photography that has that has got most of the attention, but big things are coming up: “This past weekend, I just shot my first proper editorial. Major model. Had a blast. I can’t really say much about it since it’s part of a publication launch with some important people involved, but I really love how everything turned out, and can’t wait for people to see it. It’s very much my style and methods of photography, but operating on the next level. I also handle art direction for self-titled magazine; at the end of the month, we have a new issue coming out. And I have another online-publishing endeavor up my sleeve as well for the fall, which I’m totally psyched about, but again, can’t really say much about.” And as always, I will keep you updated on all of this!

Aaron says he’s inspired by the works of Stacey Mark, Jason Nocito and Guy Aroch: “- Easily my three favorites. Lately, though, I feel like I’ve been more directly inspired by the photographers that I work with and am friends with. I also work as an art director, so much of my job entails hiring people to shoot stuff for me. Ruvan Wijesooriya, Shawn Brackbill and Alexander Wagner are all buddies who i’ve known for a while. I work with them a lot and whenever I see new photos of theirs, I sort of get filled with a healthy wash of inadequacy that helps me strive to be a better photographer myself. Some other favorites right now include Lucy Carr-Ellison, Elizabeth Weinberg and Bryan Sheffield, who are all an absolute delight to work with. Otherwise, my inspirations include: hot girls, loud music, Norman Mailer, Bret Easton Ellis, rad fonts and well-executed magazines.”

Here’s some of his work:

May 18th, 2010

Melbourne based photographer Emily Abay startet taking photos at a very young age, and says she grew up in the dark room as her mother is a photographer. Her work has been published in this months Australian Vogue, as well as been published in publications like Yen, Oyster, Fashion Journal and Fashion Trend, and she has a men’s editorial coming out in Culture Mag in June this year.

She says this about her inspirations: “I get a lot of inspiration from beautiful cinematography. I love movies like Great Expectations and video clips like Fiona Apples ‘Criminal’. The colours and the mood really inspire my work. As for who inspires me, my friends and fellow photographers Ed Purnomo, Elvina-mae Farkas and Mariah Jelena Kordzadze are real inspirations for me. They are so talented and they really drive me to want to do better everytime I pick up a camera. I have a real great respect for them and their work so it’s great motivation.”

Emily’s keeping busy, and at the moment she’s working on a feature shoot with Aussie talent Bertie Blackman. “I’ve also got a few editorial submissions up my sleeve that you’ll hopefully see in mags by spring.”

Here’s some of her work: