I’ve recently had some thoughts on restructuring the tarot deck. As such I reused two of my old photos for different cards. Of course now by doing so I’ve ended up junking some cards that were already done in order to meet my new designs.
Sigh…
I’m never going to finish this damn thing.
Day 1041 of 365 Again. So it basically rained all day in Pittsburgh today. As I was getting off work it was getting worse. In fact, when we got home the news said there was a tornado warning and server thunderstorms. The news not only begged everyone to hide in their basements but actually suggest…
Day 802 of 365 Again. I’m gonna let ’em know that Dolemite is back on the scene! I’m gonna let ’em know that Dolemite is my name, and fuckin’ up motha fuckas is my game! So long, you rat soup-eatin’ motha-FUCKA! (I was all set to write something memorable here tonight for all my regular…
Day 775 of 365 Again. I still hate strobes, but like I said last week they definitely have their uses. Most importantly, portability. I’m going to be doing some traveling for photoshoots soon and taking my big lights is kind of a pain in the ass. Same would true of studio class strobes actually, but…
When Mickey was travelling across country last week for her big move, she and her boyfriend, Jeff, stopped by to do a little photoshoot for the old Tarot deck.
I’ve been looking forward to getting some of the Seven cards done. My theme with the sevens is to use multiple people. I really loved shooting the Lovers and Judgement cards and I was really looking forward to shooting a card with another couple. The interplay you get between two models is always so much more expressive than what you get with one individual alone.
While the other two multiple person cards I did so far were very loving, it was nice to be able to do something antagonistic and moody like this one.
I think they both did a great job.
Working on the last several tarot cards that I’ve shot that I hadn’t had a chance to post. This should take me up to 51. Only 17 more to go.
I’ve been amazed at how well received the Maverick Tarot project has been. I’ve actually heard from any number of people who want to be a part of it, some as far away as Iowa.
Tiffini wrote me on myspace saying she’d seen a link to my Model Mayhem profile and wanted to be a part of the project. She’d never modeled before, but when has that ever stopped me. And besides, she was excited to give modeling a try. She told me she’d be visiting friends in Pittsburgh soon, and so I figured I’d have to fit her in while she was here. It’s tricky trying to place a model having not met her in person, and when she doesn’t have really good professional shots to give me a feel for her look, but I was able to gauge from other shots that I might want to try her for my five of swords. Defeat. My five cards are all injured or dead people. And it took some playing around but I think I got the look I wanted with this one. And she didn’t even mind me getting "blood" all over her nice white skirt!
Note: Several people had issues with the original version of this card as it wasn’t obvious enough that she was looking in a mirror. I understood the issue but was resistant because i really don’t want the background elements of any card to overpower the main image. Of course in this one, the mirror is part of the main image. But still I didn’t want to distract from the image. So I ended up compromising by trying to add a very simple stylized mirror frame to the image. I look forward to feedback.
In the Tarot, there are opposing suits. Swords Staffs and Cups Coins. I wanted to illustrate that within my set, and I thought the three’s would be a good place to do that. Every three will be based upon the concept of reflections, with the model being garbed and styled in the opposing suit, while they are reflected in a mirror (or some other reflective surface) with their true nature.
I wasn’t sure about this idea at first, but I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.
In the Tarot, there are opposing suits. Swords Staffs and Cups Coins. I wanted to illustrate that within my set, and I thought the three’s would be a good place to do that. Every three will be based upon the concept of reflections, with the model being garbed and styled in the opposing suit, while they are reflected in a mirror (or some other reflective surface) with their true nature.
This one stars Laurie. More shots of her coming later.
EDIT: Now that I’m thinking about it, I’m wondering if I should drop the left bar altogether and just let people wonder if it’s a mirror or two different girls. Opinions?
I love when i meet a model who is absolutely perfect for a Tarot card idea I have. I was talking to my friend Connie (who posed with her son for the Judgement card) and telling her of my idea for the ten and ace of swords cards. I wanted the cutest, most petite, goth girl I could find holding a broad sword bigger than she was. A minute later, Connie found Ambriella on Model Mayhem (where I’ve gotten several models for this project). I wrote her and she was totally into the idea. More pictures to come of her later, but for now, here are the cards I wanted her for. (the ace is here)
I love when i meet a model who is absolutely perfect for a Tarot card idea I have. I was talking to my friend Connie (who posed with her son for the Judgement card) and telling her of my idea for the ten and ace of swords cards. I wanted the cutest, most petite, goth girl I could find holding a broad sword bigger than she was. A minute later, Connie found Ambriella on Model Mayhem (where I’ve gotten several models for this project). I wrote her and she was totally into the idea. More pictures to come of her later, but for now, here are the cards I wanted her for. (the ten is here)
Yet another tarot card complete. I think Yara was perfect for my Queen of Swords. She had just the right mix of sex appeal and sophistication. When I found out she was a belly dancer as well, I knew exactly where I wanted to take this card. I modified the illustration processing technique slightly from what I did with the Jack of Swords card, and I think I’m pleased with the results. Its a little less comic booky than my original technique. I think it lends more of a fantasy look. The question is, should I stick with it? Should I change the Jack to look like this as well or should I allow some variance of style between cards of the same suit?
Opinions welcome and encouraged.
The third completed card in my tarot card series.
Shiima as the Jack of Swords. Commonly called a knight. I decided to rename them to Jacks for the same reason they call them Jacks instead of Knaves on the modern playing card deck. Namely, that K is the same letter for King. I’m still not positive on that. But its growing on me. I’m also of still of the opinion that the lens flare is a bit cheesy, but I think it adds something to the effect. Opinions?
Used in LJ post: chrismaverick.livejournal.com/251542.html
The other day, I did a photoshoot with the lovely and talented Damsel. It was the first time I shot her, but she did a great job and I can’t wait to do it again.
I’ve decided to start posting the photos as I finish them instead of waiting for the entire set to be done.
Outfit 3/4
(this one inspired by the Marvel comic Elektra: Assassin)
Day 34 of 365 days. The seventh and final day of Bringing Back the Sexy. Sometimes its really nice to feel like I have my 365 pic done early and I just don’t have to worry about it the entire next day. I guess I’ll be kinda disappointed if I happen upon doing something really…