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Cheyne’s Photo Blog

Anecdotes from a curious photographer

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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Filed under  //   abs   arabian   arabic   brazilian   chest   cheyne   DIY photography   fashion   fitness   gallarde   hawaii   male   model   natatorium   photographer   photography   retro   sexy   shirtless   strobist   theme   vintage   waikiki  
Posted July 7, 2009
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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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Filed under  //   bumble and bumble   filipino   guy   haircut   hairstyle   hawaii   male   medium length hair   photographer   pinoy   salon bobbi & guy   style   stylist  
Posted March 26, 2009
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The Silent Challenge

     

I absolutely love working with the same people over and over, it builds camaraderie and makes the process easier when you know what each member is capable of.

I've worked with On The Spot several times prior to this shoot and cherish every single opportunity I get to create with them. They're a hilarious bunch of cats and when we're together the poses and creativity flow like water from an Artesian spring.

Their newest project, an improvised silent movie, was a bit challenging in the logistics phase. Figuring out the perfect locations
was a challenge, but our solution came in the form of the Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant. It was perfect and a candy store of
vignette-ready sets. For a little bit of diversity we completed our session in downtown Honolulu where well-preserved buildings are a dime-a-dozen.

Another challenge was figuring our what poses or gestures would translate well into photographs. By nature photos are silent, so how do you convey that the show itself is silent? The answer was embedded in classic cinema films like Buster Keaton, Fatty Arbuckle and the like. Using them as a model, we were then able to create vignettes that were silently narrative.

It's these types of stylized projects that I love for it takes advantage of the useless historic knowledge imbued into my memory
bank. Of course any casual observer would look at me and say "What the hell does that kid know about the Jazz Age?" to which I respond "Not as much as I'd like to know."

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Filed under  //   20's   cinema   classic   film   hawaii   jazz age   photographer   sepia   silent  
Posted November 15, 2008
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