Two Sides to Every Story: Behind the Scenes of a Photo Shoot
In this post we’re featuring a full set of 59 image from a photo shot by the team at Crudo Visual along with some commentary giving some behind the scenes information on the concept and how it was achieved (below the images). I hope you enjoy this type of post!
– Darren
TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY.
Dissecting the photo shoot “No Originality”.
Rodrigo Rey del Castillo, Producer.
THE PROJECT.
“NO ORIGINALITY” is a project that Crudo Visual ( www.crudovisual.com) did in collaboration with local photographer Alejandro Renteria and fashion designer Azucar. For this particular project we wanted to do something different, more than just showing Azucar’s new collection, we wanted to tell a story. A story that would resemble this new collection, different, colorful, somewhat elegant yet, casual for everyday use.
THE SETUP.
For this particular piece, we used actors instead of models, because we wanted to really be able to express emotions and develop character. The locations we selected were on the outskirts of the city of Miami; we wanted dust, long dirt roads, we wanted to stay away from beautiful skylines, amazing beaches, crazy nightlife and show a different side of Miami. Once again, this project needed to be different from what people are used to seeing when it comes to fashion photography.
THE SHOOT.
One of my main concerns was the safety of the photographer and assistants while doing the driving shots. These shots of the three individuals riding the blue Land Rover, were shot from another moving vehicle in front of it. The lead vehicle was rigged with lights, safety harnesses for the photographer and assistant, and radio communication between both vehicles for cues. In these kinds of setups, safety meetings are required. It only takes minutes, but helps keep everyone safe and injury free.
One important factor that we had to keep in mind was the sun’s position, making sure we got the sun light we needed on every location. We scheduled four setups on the three different locations. Even though some lighting was used, we utilized all the natural light we could.
Alejandro Renteria, photographer.
“The concept behind No Originality began as just an artistic expression of my amusement and acknowledgment of life’s inescapable cliches: machismo, religion, greed, heroism, and love. No matter what it is, it’s all been done before. However, when asked to really inspect the inspiration of it all, I had subconsciously pulled experiences from my own life to come up with the piece. It is only in retrospect that I am able to draw the comparison. Basically, you’ve got a guy who’s trying to find his way in life, and the one thing he knows for sure is that time is running out. Along his journey, he meets a woman who is off limits, and he goes for it in anyway. The situation gets worst, and he finds himself trying to find himself again. So he turns to religion for guidance. Once again, he realizes this is not what he truly wants for himself. He continues on once more and finally finds the hottest mamacita in all the land…. and she needs him. So just like in fairy tales ,they live happily ever after.– no originality!”
I’m always trying to convey a story in each of my photographs, and that was the main focus of this project. My photography background comes from studio work; so, when first approached for this project I sat down and wrote a script with detailed frames so I could recreate them later on set. I knew I was not going to have the same control I am used to in the studio environment. Preparation was the key point to make “No originality” a one day shoot. We had four scenes/setups: “The Walk,” “The Ride,” “The Rooster,” and “The Girl.” Each having subtle different color schemes, allowing them to have unique feelings as well as helping separate each chapter. Being shot in different locations and forcing us to work with consistently moving sun light. For “the Girl” section being almost nonexistent, having to use very low shutter speed and a lot of flash power with CTO to make that golden/orange feeling.
Nikon D300 with Sigma lenses?
Hasselblad 501 with Carl Zeiss
The project was a success and the first one of many collaborations with fashion designer Azucar.
Crudo Visual – www.crudovisual.com.
39 Responses to “Two Sides to Every Story: Behind the Scenes of a Photo Shoot” - Add Yours
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:03 am
Simply amazing… I loved the colors, the angles, good call on the actors, too! They really did a great job with expression and conveying the story. Thanks for sharing!
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:05 am
Wow! I really enjoyed the emotions portrayed in this series of images. It was a very inspirational concept. Thanks for sharing!
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:15 am
Let all of the images load and then scroll down slowly through the browser window — it’s like watching a movie almost. Very cool photo shoot. I would love to see some set up shots if those are available.
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:02 am
I’ll look up for the behind the scenes video.
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:57 am
Really excellent post and highly inspirational! I think of this as photographic poetry. It has a narrative, but it’s spare with lots of gaps for the viewer to participate in the unfolding of the story.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:07 am
Man, that guy is just bumming down the road and hooks up with 2 girls! If only real life was that easy.
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Amazing! with all the Vibrant,Fresh and Natural Style,looking to the Future .
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Excellent, great story telling. Getting actors to play the parts really brings out the emotions in the photos. Sometimes models can only give you a blank stare.
February 4th, 2010 at 3:34 am
Pretty neat. Almost like watching a movie.
February 4th, 2010 at 4:18 am
brilliantly done .. moments captured flawlessly.. love the cropping & presentation ..
February 4th, 2010 at 4:42 am
This was FUN. Loved it. It tells a cute, funny story, actors are perfect. The images are wonderfully done. Fantastic, creative work.
February 4th, 2010 at 4:46 am
Its a movie in photos.. nice captures and theme…
Could have moved to 2 different places in the field for last 2 photos
Starting the Bicycle with the girl ( shows movement of cycle)
then parked cycle at end of frame in same place..
February 4th, 2010 at 9:21 am
I never thought a parked, empty bicycle could be sexy. Thanks for proving me wrong!
February 4th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
WOW..that’s photos series make me so amaze..brilliantly beautiful!
February 4th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Firstly …. it looks like the prelude to a soft porn movie.
Secondly … the guys hair it’s a throw back to the 70′s
Thirdly …. Brown was the in colour a few years back,or hasn’t anyone told the US
Sorry guys but it could happen in America !
February 5th, 2010 at 1:31 am
Never would have guessed that the photos were for a fashion designer. I did notice the clothes they were wearing and thought it was odd given the location.
Great photos and thanks for the background information. Makes you realize that when you think outside the box great work can happen.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:31 am
Simply amazing. I’d love to do something similar, someday.
February 5th, 2010 at 3:20 am
Amazing colors+you could feel the emotions that the actors were trying to display
February 5th, 2010 at 3:49 am
These photos actually bleed “Passion”
February 5th, 2010 at 4:32 am
I think the whole thing is fun, full of mischief and with a fresh style. The only negative is the amount of make up the last girl has on – she looks great but I think it is a little OTT and detracts from the clothing.
February 5th, 2010 at 5:18 am
score: 2 – 0! hahaha!
February 5th, 2010 at 5:21 am
Very interesting. Really did tell a story without having to have words. The lead actor, though, is creepy!
February 5th, 2010 at 5:59 am
That was so much fun! I loved it!!! And it really worked with the whole fashion thing. I found myself wanting the one fashion model’s dress. Great job!
February 5th, 2010 at 9:00 am
I guess I’m bad. The pictures are refreshing, but I’m more interested in the eyeshadow the man in brown is wearing. It really stands out in the picture with the guy tugging at the corner of his eye.
February 5th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Excellent Job the images really told the story the compositions were perfect!! Well done
February 5th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
super fantastic shots.. a good story with a happy ending.. love the last one… congrats..
February 5th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
I felt as if I had watched a short film. Nice shots with a nice story. Darren are they your friends are paid models????????
February 6th, 2010 at 1:25 am
Darren, what a great post. I love seeing the story behind the shoot. Would love to see this become a regular feature. As a photographer, it is interesting to ‘watch’ another artist’s thought process. I makes me think about my own. And maybe even expand my process, or narrow it.
Thanks again. Great post.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:54 am
where is the red car in the last pic. it seems like it just dissapeared
February 6th, 2010 at 1:56 am
i really liked this photo shoot but i think the last girl could of looked better with a red dress
February 6th, 2010 at 1:57 am
these photos give me goosebumps that wont go away
February 6th, 2010 at 3:32 am
Fun, interesting and loved the story aspect with not a single word…can be “told” in any language…you get from it what you want to see. GREAT job!!
February 6th, 2010 at 4:22 am
Very nice and well done. Darin said it would tell SOMEof the background story afterwards. I love the safety aspect mentioned. (This is something many photographers should pay attention to when doing anything like this.) Even though we were warned, I found myself looking for more technical information.
Here is something that I question. Maybe it is just semantics.
When told in the setup section that, “…we used actors instead of models, because we wanted to really be able to express emotions and develop character.” (Really?)
When it comes to still photography, (which this really is), trained actors and models are very similar except…
1) Generally actors show emotion with sound and motion added to assist the viewer.
2) Generally models show emotion without the use of sound & motion added to the photo. The viewer has to rely on the model’s ability to do everyting.
Why didn’t they just make a short movie? This would be a great story-board!
February 6th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
bravo! I like this, and it has inspired me to do something similar. thanks for sharing.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:52 am
No words necessary – I really like the drama the pics evoked….great color!!
February 18th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
After reading your blog, I thought your articles is great! I liked your articles and Photographs. Your blog is very useful to me. Here you are provideing such a greatful information.
Thanks for sharing…….
March 5th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Love the story. Very fun and inspiring.
March 10th, 2010 at 7:11 am
These were beautiful shots!
I had the location pegged as Mexico.
March 22nd, 2012 at 10:46 pm
as a wedding photographer myself it’s sometimes difficult to find good, solid photography resources. I’m always learning so the tips you provide will definitely come in handy. thanks again.
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