With the warmer weather finally here and the official start of summer steadily approaching, it's about time we get reconnected to nature and start planning some photoshoots outside in the elements. While I have some client work lined up that I'll be shooting outdoors in June and July, I also sketched out a list of shots I want to create for fun throughout the summer.
One of my favorite cameras to use outside the studio is my 1956 Rolleiflex. It's small and lightweight, and the way it renders nature is incredible. Fun fact about my Rollei: It's an all-mechanical camera that requires no batteries, and since they are old, you have to find them used. I bought mine from a collection of a retired older gentleman. He actually trained at the original Rolleiflex factory in Germany, where he learned to repair these cameras way back in the day. Just some insight into the history you're a part of if I ever took your photo with this camera ;)
Anyway, here are some film photos that inspired me to want to create outside in the summertime of '22.
1936 - Rolleiflex. How fire is this photograph. From the composition to the timing of that pose with the baby in the harsh midday light. Wow! Plus, it makes you feel something. This reminds me of a family summer vacation. If I ever got married and had kids, I'd be a cool dad like Clark Griswold, snapping family photos like this on a road trip or something. Haha!
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Another beautiful photo from 1936 using the Rolleiflex. This image makes me want to get to the beach asap and shoot B&W film all day, trying to capture something timeless like this.
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Last one from 1936 at the beach. The composition of this photo is perfect, and the way the Rolleiflex renders the elements, esp in B&W, make it look that much more special.
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1946 Harper's Bazaar fashion/editorial. This definitely represents those long summer days.
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Harper's Bazaar - June 1965 by Hiro. Futuristic, portrait-like, amazing!
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1975 Saint Martin. This editorial photo by photographer Hiro is amazing.
There was no photoshop in the 1970s, so to be experimental and control light in this way is in a class all by itself.
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I haven't made a summer playlist yet but for some reason I've been on this R&B vibe lately when I'm working, and it reminds me of summer, so enjoy.
Let's go create some memories!