Man in the mirror

Been practising using a mirror for a shoot I've got with a model in a few weeks. Apart from the difficult lighting set up, I noticed that the mirror has to be spotless, because any marks show up terribly when I upload them on my computer! Still, it's an interesting challenge and I am definitely going to practise more before the shoot.

In the mouth of madness

Inside me there's a great person waiting to get out!

This took far too long, and you can see I didn't quite get the shadows right inside the mouth, because I was getting annoyed!

Man of letters

Tried this typography technique this afternoon, I think I need a more contrasty photo, but a very nice effect

Typography

Broken glass

Been looking for ages for a 'broken glass' tutorial. I found a really good one, but it was hard to follow. Must practise this one or actually get a sheet of glass and smash it!

Shaken & Stirred

I seem to be obsessed with '80s Tom Cruise posters recently (See Top gun poster) But he was always on the cheesiest and campest posters from that era (I was trying to do Dirty dancing too!) And Cocktail has the best poster tag line EVER "When he pours, he reigns." So look out for 'Risky business' soon!!

Passport control

I'm taking my passport photos this week because I've got to renew my passport before the price goes up next month! (Yes, I'm a cheapskate)

In the booklet that comes with the application form is a list of very strict rules on what the photo standards must be, including no white background (only grey or cream!) be professionally printed, free from shadows Etc. But nowhere does it say 'no' photo manipulation, but I suppose if I change it too much, it won't end up a true image of myself! But that hasn't stopped me getting rid of the odd wrinkle, giving my skin a darker look and lightening my eyes! I'll probably get refused at the airport because I have some good looking stud's passport!!!!!

Barry Klein

I've just seen some of the new Calvin Klein advertisements, and was wondering who took the shots. One of my favourite photographers, Herb Ritts used to do them, but he passed away a few years ago. The new campaign is very similar to his work, and were taken by Steven Klein. And they have the stunning Eva Mendes in them (And me!!)

Calvin Klein

Watercolour challenge

A very nice tutorial I've found on a water colour effect. I think I need a bit more practise and a better subject!

Fabulous

Even though it's just a trashy Sunday newspaper magazine, today's News of the world' Fabulous magazine had a great cover which I thought was a bit controversial and cool. I'm going to try the same technique soon on some unsuspecting model!

Q Mail

Got my letter printed in Q magazine this month. it was also letter of the month and I won £100 to spend at HMV. It was about their photo theme last month that had fire photoshopped on their '101 hottest things in music now' feature photos. I've been trying to find a good photoshop tutorial about recreating flames, but there doesn't seem to be any real good ones out there, so I've used stock photos and learned how to merge them with other photos (I also used it on a James Bond poster I did recently!) But the best thing was the reply from the editor, who said jokingly "fancy a job?" So I replied back and said "Yes!"

Visionaire

I have to own a copy of visionaire magazine. It's a very arty magazine that comes out now and again and do different themes for every issue. I got into it from Pet shop boys who did a one minute song called 'Transfer' for their sound issue, which was a stack of vinyl records. The latest issue is called Solar which changes colour when exposed to the sun. The trouble is the price tag, they cost $250 an issue! So maybe not for a while!