Cheyne’s Photo Blog

Arabian Prince

   

I never like to do the obvious, so when I was contemplating a theme for South American model Marcos, I immediately discounted doing a "Futbol"-themed shoot; Sports is not my thing. I wanted something that would showcase his exotic looks (and impressive physique) and also my signature vintage style.

It dawned on me to take a trip to the Middle East and re-create an Arabian Nights theme. After some research, I had a better understanding of Arabic & Middle-Eastern styles of garments and how I can reproduce them on a budget. I lucked out and found some great harem pants on sale at the local Goodwill. Paired with layers of costume jewelry and a gold vest I already had, the outfit was complete - except for the headgear.

I own an actual Fez (a souvenir from my friend's trip to Egypt) and a muslim knit cap, but they still didn't look right to me. Well, as you can tell from the 2nd photo, the solution was staring me right in the face, so I went with it. Yes, I used the same window curtain that I used for the Matador shoot. It was the perfect color & texture, so how could I refuse? Wrapped around his head and accented with a gold brooch I got from Japan, the look was complete!

You heard it here first, people, the stylist who refuses to use the same outfit twice did it this time. The lesson here is one of re-invention: view an object as something else, re-purpose it, and it will ensure you stay under budget and will flex your creative muscles.

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70's Chic

     

Let it be known that as much as I love the 50's, I am also in love with the 70's. Whereas the 50's were about clean-cut colors and perfection, the 70's were about crazy polyester patterns and just looking cool. At least that's what I think ;)
 
When I first saw my model Azhjeli, I wasn't sure if I had the skills to work with him. He had long hair, something I had never worked with before on male models. After I found out he had cut his hair, I began to see potential, especially since he had a rockin' great physique.
 
My original idea was to continue my "Pleasantville" series (first started with my Milkman session) with a vintage postman. I had difficulty styling the outfit to look authentic and a location was baffling me, so I opted to do another decade. I had a polyester shirt I'd been dying to use since I purchased it. The location was originally supposed to be in front of an old, run-down apartment complex, which I thought resembled an old 70's motel. When we arrived at the location, we found it had been fenced up, no doubt soon to be demolished. Disappointed, but determined, I thought the next best location was a turqoise-colored building on King St. I always pass this building during my lunch breaks, so I knew from the start I wanted to shoot there.
 
In his polyester shirt ($7.00 @ Goodwill!), baby blue slacks and white leather shoes, Azhjeli looked every bit authentic and people couldn't help but slow down and stare. I think it'd be neat to be recognized on the street one day simply because I'm the only photographer in Hawaii who shoots vintage-themed photos.
 
I love the 70's and can't wait to shoot another 70's-inspired set. Will you be my next model?

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Styling the stylist

   

I've been feeling very unkept lately, which is not a good thing. The feeling stemmed from the fact that I'd style my outfit from head to toe, then I'd have to face with my overgrown shag of a hairstyle. It's gotten so long that I couldn't do anything with it. Having a Chia Pet on your head is not chic at all.
 
You can clearly see how long my hair was in the 2nd photo. For those of you in the same predicament, I empathize with you. Thankfully, there is hope. While there are many great hair stylists in Hawaii, I highly recommend Salon Bobbi & Guy at Ward
(http://www.bobbiandguy.com/) and the hairstylist LaVern. She is always up on trends and will work with you to get you a hair that's hip and haute. She's studied at the famous New York school for hair Bumble & Bumble, so you'll be in good hands.
 
This hairstyle is very new for me since I normally go much shorter. Spikes and razor-cut hair was my norm, but after a lifetime of many, many hairstyles (even a bowl haircut!) I was ready for something new. That is, afterall, the philosophy behind Firebird Photography. Like the Phoenix, it's important to re-invent yourself and rise from the ashes a more beautiful creature.
 
This hairstyle comes just in time for the Kane Magazine fashion show tomorrow night. I'll be an official photographer, so stop by and see my work in the gallery and check out the latest in men's fashion.

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Rockin' Rockwell

     

My first exposure to Norman Rockwell's paintings were in my pediatrician's office. 10-year old Cheyne didn't fully understand the patriotic or satiristic nature of Mr. Rockwell's work, he just knew it was great to look at, sometimes funny. As time passed, I became more and more aware of what a brilliant painter he was. Norman Rockwell's work not only presented America, it also preserved America. This is the type of feeling I strive for in my images. In addition to them looking great, I wanted them to feel great. These little moments preserved forever in my photographs.
 
The model I selected for this collegiate portrait was Cade London, a young man relatively new to modeling. His current port consisted of shirtless photos taken by his girlfriend, but I saw the potential in him that no one believed. He had a wholesome good look, which was a potent mix of American hearthrob with ethnic flair.
 
The day was beautiful (compared to the rainy day prior), but the bright sunshine came at a price -- leave it to me to dress a model in layered clothing and have him stand in broad daylight! Cade was a trooper and he took direction very well. Here, you can see two shots and my behind the scenes shot, which reveals my typical minimalistic lighting diagram.
 
If you look closely at the books, they reveal my personality (as they are from my personal home library). They are (in order from bottom to top): "An Incomplete Education", Mandarin Dictionary, "The Complete Business Guide to Graphic Design" and "Tales from the Tao". I selected them for their color and shape, but they are symbolically very appropriate.
 
I am looking forward to working with Cade again, but also to tackle another Norman Rockwell inspired shoot!

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Creative Compound

   

You are looking at the results of a project that is the epitome of fusion. Two things or people combining to form something new. In this case, it was the Okinawan culture of my fabulous model Brandon Marc and my creative styling.
 
When Brandon and I first discussed our collaboration, it took a very different shape (originally, we were intending to do a collegiate-inspired shoot), but after a meeting of our minds (via long-distance phone), we were able to delve into Brandon's core and bring to focus the things he treasures most.
 
We kinda knew what we wanted it to look like. But me being me, I wanted to push the creative-envelope and I thank Brandon for being so patient with my creative ventures.
 
In addition to his quirky outfit, an ammalgamation of a 50's blues singer and an symphony conductor, I created a one-of-a-kind prop: a foamcore Sanshin. This 2-dimensional prop was lovingly crafted by hand the day of the shoot and I can only hope no master Sanshin-maker sees my shoddy workmanship. Brandon was such a great sport as to help where my invisible assistants couldn't: he managed to throw fistfuls of leaves into the air right before assuming his pose. He's got mad skills.
 
This session will always remind me of the best parts of my job and why I continue to love photography.

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Inspirations: Fashion Safari

   

This is the first in what's going to be a regular feature on my blog: anecdotes and notes on my inspirations for past shoots.
 
I've worked with Jason Loo before, so we've developed a mutual trust in each other's abilities and skills -- I know he can strike some awesome poses, he knows I can shoot some awesome photos, no big whoop -- so I was tickled pink when he asked me to create a custom themed shoot.
 
He had just gotten back from American Idol auditions in San Francisco and had picked up a cool wooden elephant necklace. He wanted me to build a shoot around that little, wooden souvenir. Boy, what a challenge.
 
I started thinking about safaris, specifically African Safaris, the kind you read about as a child. Then, I started to think about how to stage a safari. First, I narrowed it down to some basic elements: attire, weapons and animal prey. I should mention here that one of my major inspirations is Michel Gondry ("The Science of Sleep", "Be Kind Rewind", "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"). The man is a genius and the detail he puts into his sets and his props is astounding. He also uses cardboard a lot, which is a low-tech approach I highly admire.
 
So, the night before the shoot I sat and created these cardboard props to fill this fantasy world. The toughest challenge was the pith helmet (not shown here), getting it to look and read like a flat 2-dimensional object was a puzzle.
 
Add in some purple gloves and a snazzy outfit with lapels and you've got yourself one surreal safari.
 
Ta-dah!

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