What's Inside This Blog?
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Follow my journey to be a better photographer, about becoming the World's best photographer - it's not what it sounds like. :)
Read about my return to Hungary after 20 years of exile, how to travel the world and photograph beautiful models on a shoestring budget and my rewarding 9-month long Southeast Asia photography trip to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos in 2008.
Browse over 200 artist interviews where beauty and fashion industry professionals engage in informative, educational, passionate and inspiring conversations. Most of these professional makeup artists, hairstylists, female models and photographers are also members of my
Free Fashion Industry Directory.
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I have written articles about how to add 100's or 1000's of high quality, relevant MySpace friends (MySpace friends with benefits) with
FriendBlasterPro the #1 MySpace Friend Adder Software Bot to promote your business without wasting time.
I shared useful advice for amateur or first time models, the warning signs of flaky photo models, about Tao And Photography, the greatest and most famous Hungarians, the best free Photoshop plugin (Virtual Photographer) and how the Southeast Asia Elephant Trekking Industry in Laos and Thailand is involved with animal cruelty.
See the "Quick Navigation" above for all articles.
New project:
Travel Photography Prints & Posters
The first album contains pictures from my European photography trips.
As part of trip preparations I contacted models and modeling agencies while still in Hawaii weeks before leaving.
Being a lone traveling photographer and visiting a foreign country for the first time has its challenges including organizing all aspects of photoshoots: model search, make-up, wardrobe, location scouting and transportation.
The benefits are that every photoshoot is unique and exciting providing countless unexpected photographic opportunities and a wide variety of photos.
What inspires creativity for me the most is different photography locations. Some of the photos in this album were taken in a Belgian abandoned factory, a Dutch caste, a cornfield in Germany, a car interior during a thunderstorm, the courtyard of a friend's house in Berlin, a Belgian beer brewery, the penthouse of a Dusseldorf modeling agency.
The first photo is of a young beautiful blond Russian fashion model in a relaxed pose wearing a colorful knitted dress in the colorless courtyard of an old apartment building in Berlin. Next is a photo of a Russian fashion model with beautiful full lips wearing dark designer sunglasses. The photo was taken in her car while rain interrupted our outdoor photoshoot on a countryside location in Belgium.
Lastly is a blond athletic German lingerie model with strong facial features wearing dramatic dark makeup. Her beautiful figure is due to being a dancer as well. The black lacy lingerie really stands out against the blood red color of the leather couch.
Bikini and fashion model photography in Hawaii can result in exciting and exotic pictures because the Hawaiian Islands have incredible biodiversity offering a wide variety of fauna, landscapes and locations.
Lava pools, beautiful sandy beaches, rugged volcanic shores, craters, lava flows, tropical rain forests, deserts with cactai, mangrove swamps, coral reefs and more.
There are opportunities and a market for the typical curvy swimsuit model on a sunny beach and while this may be the dream of many photographers it holds little appeal for me.
During my Hawaiian photo shoots I tried to mix the natural beauty of my models with the rugged beauty of Hawaii.
The first photo is of a beautiful Asian fashion model wearing a white dress shot at sunrise on Sandy Beach, Oahu Island.
Next photo is a Mona Lisa like whimsical portrait of the same Asian fashion model with her timeless beauty, in a Hawaiian rainforest setting.
Lastly is the photo of an adventurous and beautiful bikini model in a cold rainforest creek of the Pali mountains on Oahu, Hawaii.
Photographers specializing in dramatic black and white photography can also find many locations and inspiration in Hawaii! The harsh tropical sun can be used for powerful, high contrast images while the rainforest can provide softer more intimate light plus an unmistakably exotic scenery.
Because I like my models with stronger and more dramatic features - notice all those defined jaw lines :) - black and white photography in Hawaii has been an exciting adventure.
On the flip side the architecture and culture of Europe gains added drama by eliminating often confusing and unnecessary color from one's photos.
The photos in my black and white album were taken in both Hawaii and Europe.
The first image is a dramatic black and white portrait photo of a beautiful brunette actress and first time model just right after sunrise at Sandy Beach, Hawaii.
Next photo is the black and white picture of a Russian lingerie model taken in a 100 year old elegant Dutch castle.
Last is the closeup black and white portrait photo of a beautiful young blond Russian fashion model taken in the softly lit courtyard of an apartment building in Berlin, Germany.
No photoblog of a Hawaiian photographer would be complete without photos of boogie boarding local kids. Waikiki Beach and Sandy Beach Park provide great locations to capture the fast action.
Sometimes all the ingredients come together: bright sunny day, beautiful blue ocean, big waves, local kids with awesome skills to show off.
During those hours I spent shooting on the beaches of Hawaii there were hundreds of chances to capture fantastic and unique moments.
The different pace of action and something exciting happening around me all the time was a breath of fresh air compared to the structured way of doing model portfolio or portrait photography.
The first photo was taken on Waikiki Beach of a very skilled Hawaiian boy on his boogie board slashing through waves.
Next is a stock photo like image of two Hawaiian boys observing their friends in the beautifully blue water off of the popular Sandy Beach Park.
Last is an action sports photo of a Hawaiian boy airborne in the midst of frozen water drops.
I used my favorite female portraits from years of modeling portfolio photoshoots that took place in Europe and Hawaii. I decided not only to show a compilation but to add a slightly different narrative to these images.
The result is an informal tutorial of tips and techniques that I practice while traveling and photographing alone on a budget using light and modest photo gear.
The first portrait shows my all time most favorite Chinese model and muse. The shadows on her face were created by dry branches in the secluded Pali rainforest just outside Honolulu, Hawaii. I enjoy experimenting with available light especially on exotic locations. These photoshoots are always a lot of fun and very productive!
The next portrait is also from Hawaii, taken of a beautiful Japanese fashion and bikini model. Without make-up artists and hairstylists on set utilizing simple techniques can produce striking looks. In this instance wetting the model's hair added a wild and stunning look transforming an otherwise "just nice" portrait into an outstanding image.
The third portrait exemplifies what is possible with a first time model, without a budget and fancy photo equipment. The casual laughing portrait of a beautiful local Hawaiian girl laying in high grass was the result of relaxed photo session and chemistry between model and photographer.
Another informal tutorial of tips and techniques this time illustrated by dramatic edgy black and white portraits which is one of my most favorite genres.
Photographs taken on exotic locations like Hawaii can often benefit from black and white conversions. But this has to be done with caution because the beautiful blue of the sky and ocean plus the green of the rainforest and other landscape could render as unremarkable shades of gray without much contrast. Dramatic lighting is often needed to add drama to black and white pictures taken in paradise.
The first portrait was taken at the Zanzabar Night Club in Waikiki, Hawaii. An example of my usual minimalist approach using a single Nikon flash for a dramatic paparazzi style lighting effect.
The next portrait demonstrates how the right kind of available light can be used to achieve dramatic results. The side lighting which gives a three dimensional effect to this portrait is courtesy of Hawaiian sunrise at Sandy Beach Park, Oahu.
The story of the third portrait is all about how improvisation can yield great photographs. While photographing this edgy Russian lingerie model in the Belgian countryside we got "stranded" in the model's car during a torrential downpour.
Using my trusty Nikon flash and a wide angle lens I was able to capture intimate portraits and lingerie pictures in stead of just packing up and heading home defeated by the bad weather.
Some of my favorite lingerie model pictures wrapped into a photography tips and techniques tutorial. It is fun to look back a few years and relive those photoshoots. Considering the simple equipment used, without on set assistants, hair and make-up artists I am able to offer real life advice for amateur or traveling photographers.
The first lingerie model was photographed in Berlin, Germany. What helped with creating great pictures was the chemistry between us, our willingness to experiment and the always present accidental opportunities which are unforeseen but crucial to producing eye catching and creative photographs.
The next lingerie model is standing in the middle of a German corn field. The concept was an inside joke and an exercise in improvisation and making the best of local resources. I was trying to recreate the exotic lush jungle location of Hawaii in the not so paradise-like Germany. It was a fun shoot that resulted in many eye catching images. They ended up resembling a lingerie model photoshoot done in a Hawaiian bamboo forest.
The story of the third lingerie model picture exemplifies what this tutorial is all about: how to travel the world on a budget with minimal photography gear creating really diverse images while having great adventures everyday. Photographing the first time lingerie model from Belgium wearing the white winter coat and white pearl necklace was such an experience.
The idea of the Vietnamese candid travel photography album is a result of a fun project. I decided to take pictures while traveling around Vietnam from constantly bouncing, swirling, honking minibuses and from a Mekong River tour boat while crossing into Cambodia.
The results: no masterpieces but the travel times seemed to last much shorter and I always see and discover more on a trip if I am looking through the eyes of a photographer with the idea of constantly creating pictures.
For someone who never have or will visit Southeast Asia or Vietnam, the photos perhaps can be an entertaining and educational slideshow experience without the carsickness.
I love the rural scenery of Vietnam, while constantly being surrounded by National Geographic quality scenery often the photos take themselves.
The first picture is a candid travel photo of a Vietnamese man day dreaming and smoking in the typical Vietnamese squatting position. The photo was taken from a boat on the Mekong River while crossing into Cambodia.
Next photo is a colorful still life like travel photo taken out of the window of a minibus while passing through a Mekong Delta town.
Lastly is the photo of a typical Mekong River house taken from a boat tour which originated from the popular tourist destination of Can Tho, Vietnam.
The Southeast Asia Travel Photography album contains most of the photos which were posted in this blog during my 9-month long Southeast Asia photography trip. These 330 photos were taken between December 3, 2007 and September 5, 2008.
The pictures in this album are not organized in any fashion, they are just meant to provide a quick preview of my trip. Some of these photos will be included in my upcoming Southeast Asia Travel Photography books along with the best pictures from my trip which were never posted in this blog.
The first picture shows one of my all time favorite sights: kids riding water buffalos. I took the photo of this all smiles Flower Hmong girl as she was taking the buffalo to graze just outside Bac Ha in the mountainous Northwest Vietnam.
Next photo of a pink Buddha head was taken around Tra Vinh, Vietnam which is home of Khmer (Cambodian) minorities. The pink color seemed a bit unusual for me and as it turned out to be the extensive use of pastel colors are somewhat forced on the monks by the Vietnamese authorities, at least that is what I gathered from the broken English of a monk whom I chatted with.
The third picture is of a Cham little girl who lives across the Hau Giang River from Chau Doc, Vietnam. I was told this style of haircut is meant to protect her from illness.
The Buddhist themed Southeast Asia Travel Photography album contains images from some of my most memorable stops during my 9-month long travel photography trip.
The peaceful religion of Buddhism offers beautiful, colorful and exotic photography subjects.
The first picture shows young Buddhist monks during their evening prayer. For several months I was not able to / allowed to enter pagodas during prayer time while visiting Vietnam. But Laos seemed to be a more relaxed country (I even saw monks riding bicycles) so this images was made possible.
Next photo of a Buddha face encased in a Bohdi tree trunk depicts one of the most often photographed Buddhist icons. It is in the Khmer ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat in the ancient city of Ayutthaya, Thailand.
The third picture was also taken at a location which is very rich with ancient ruins: Sukhothai, Thailand. The hordes of tourists are a lot more manageable here and the incredible Khmer ruins make this a must visit destination.
Tourists Who Support Elephant Abuse In Southeast Asia
SPREAD THE WORD!!! Do not pay for elephant trekking tours in Southeast Asia particularly in Chiang Mai, Thailand and Luang Prabang, Laos! Thousands of tourists spend tons of money every year to ride elephants thus supporting trekking companies which torture and starve young elephants while training and mistreat adult working elephants!
If you still decide to pay for elephant trekking RESEARCH THOROUGHLY the company you are using!
Tokina 12-24mm And Nikon Nikkor 18-200mm Lens Comparison
Have you read tons of photography tutorials illustrated with boring test photos?
Have you had sleepless nights wondering about the difference between the 12mm and 18mm focal lengths (18mm and 27mm in full frame world)? Yeah, me too!
My simple little wide angle lens article is not left brain at all, meaning easy to digest plus you will see stellar example shots from my Southeast Asia Photography trip.
Flaky Models, Zen and Green Skies
Models and photographers are a match made in ... well sometimes heaven. Unreliable (flaky) models can cause lost photo shoots, wasted time, worthless pictures, money and gray hair to photographers.
Attention photographers! Learn from my experiences about how to spot flaky models before the damage is done! You can protect yourselves and deal with this issue with understanding, grace and a little bit of Zen.
Being a flaky model is the second oldest profession! No photographer is immune to them. Tip #1: collect at least 50% of your professional fee as a non-refundable deposit in advance from the model or client!
Nice Models Who Cannot Act Dramatic
When a photographer hears the following sentence: "But I am a nice girl I cannot act dramatic!", I have one advice: fold up your reflector and go home, call it a day, you will thank me for it!
Attention models: if a photographer has a dramatic style and dramatic portfolio it is safe to think that the dramatic genre might come up as the main theme or one of the themes during the photo shoot or photo shoot preparations.
Any model who thinks or hopes the photographer will change his or her way is wrong!
A good modeling portfolio needs to be as versatile as possible containing images of different styles including dramatic, looks, with different emotions, make up, hair, clothes, locations, etc. ONE look is NO look!
If a model is having trouble bringing intensity to the photo shoot tell her to think of a fictional scenario like her pet being run over by a car or something that will evoke a strong emotion. Keep it as a last resort move, it may just work.
Modeling Advice
Tips for models on things to consider before, during and after photo shoots plus what to expect from the session and the photographer.
Subjects the article touches upon:
- communication and planning between model and photographer
- the question of nudity during the photo shoots
- model releases: the ownership and the use of the photographs
- practicing modeling in the mirror, studying fashion magazines and advertisements
- being a self sufficient and resourceful model
- uncomfortable situations during photo shoots
- having a modeling and emotional range
- getting the CD or the prints, selecting the best photos
- digital retouching
NOT ANOTHER Modeling Advice
If I could get a penny for every time I received an email asking me: how do I become a model? what do you think, could I be a model? ... well, early retirement would be knocking on my door!
By popular demand from all corners of the globe here it is! Another installment of my unconventional modeling advice articles.
Some of the highlights:
- change your name if it doesn't end with "A"
- the phat factor
- models born out of desperation
- the humble pie diet
- no pay, no gain
- what rejection and projectile vomiting has in common
Why Pay Fashion Photographers?
Only relying on free photo shoots may not always be the best solution if a model wants to put together a quality modeling portfolio. But many models feel it is an insult to them or beneath them to pay photographers.
Models will hardly ever hear that it is OK to pay to photographers. Model and photographer relations have been already tainted by unprofessional photographers, deceit and lies. To make things even more complicated many believe (perhaps rightfully) that photography is not even a real profession.
If a photographer HAS to explain why he or she needs to be compensated it is quite possibly a loosing battle already. Having to defend the process of receiving money for a valuable service can be degrading to the photographer.
Most Famous Hungarians
The immense contributions of the small country of Hungary are not widely known.
Not much known of Hungary itself besides the Rubik's Cube, the gulyas and Zsa Zsa Gabor. Hungary has provided some of the world's greatest photographers, artists, scientist, inventors, entertainers, businessmen, the list goes on. From the discovery of Vitamin C to the creation of the nuclear bomb Hungarians have shaped the course of human history.
In addition there has been scientific discussion (by a Nobel Prize winning physicist) about the ancestors of Hungarians possibly being from the Red Planet Mars! This stunning revelation gives a whole new meaning to naturalized alien :)
The Art of Non-Forceful Photography
How to be a better photographer? It is a journey and it starts with one step and one click. Teachings of Tao te Ching, Bruce Lee and Carlos Castaneda can be applied not only to life but photography and creativity as well.
How the photographer interprets the world around him or her affects what ends up on the final photo.
There are many extremes in photographic approach: the careful setup of a high fashion photographer, the spontaneity of the celebrity paparazzi, the patience of the landscape photographer, the sensitivity of the fine art nude photographer and the list goes on.
One approach is the non-forceful way of creating photographs. To the peaceful photographer there are no battles to be won only gifts to welcome.
Stories About the Main Photos
The main images on the first page of this photo blog do not change often.
Once I find a photo I really like it usually stays on the front page or weeks or months. Why do these pictures stand out of the others? Why did I choose them? The reasons are quite personal: I fell in love with them!
So take a look around, share on your Facebook wall what you like or find useful and come back soon!
Best wishes,
Ferenc
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