***Back for another go, I originally deleted this photo because I was putting it in my book. But, now I'm not. So it's back. As will be several others. So enjoy, and bask in their free-ness.***
From over the counter. I was actually just doing this because I wanted a shot of her co-worker, but didn’t want anyone feeling left out. Yet here it is, the best shot of that day. Thing is, I can tell from her eyes, she was humouring me far more than I was her. Which worked perfectly.
Tags: polaroid 680 rerun back for a return engagement portrait los angeles eyes coldstone my name is lou. i buy ice cream. i take pictures. polaroid lou o' bedlam louobedlam.com Lou Noble
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This was the shot that turned the whole shoot. Up until then I'd been coming up with lackluster results, just couldn't get into the groove. Then Marcy paints that smile onto her face, cocks that hip out and rocks the classic Sass pose, and it all comes around.
I like when that moment comes early enough in the shoot for me to take advantage of it, ride the wave, as it were. All of the sudden ideas pop into my head, I get a burst of energy, and everything looks like it's gonna turn out all right.
Last night I go to an art opening at a local gallery, and it's filled with The Beautiful People, even had some C-List celebrites, the lady who played La Femme Nikita(on the tv show), that chick from Criminal Minds, two guys from The Unit, and Julian Sands. But did I take pictures of them? No. Did I want to? Fuck yeah. But without some kind of connection to my subject, I'm just papparazzi, and that's just plain lame. I took a few shots of a few folks I met, but the night never turned, I never built up any momentum, and in the end I left with half a dozen shots, the best not of any of The Beautiful People, but rather an accidental gem of my friend.
Hell, I came out with something, and that's just fine with me.
Tags: polaroid 680 los angeles portrait 10.1.06 photo shoot marcy Lou O' Bedlam polaroid louobedlam.com Lou Noble
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As I'm taking tomorrow off(birthday party, you're jealous, admit it), here's a few extra.
Barbara's eyes read as soft, tender, maybe a bit vulnerable, knowing.
Tags: polaroid 680 portrait photo shoot los angeles Lou O' Bedlam polaroid louobedlam.com Lou Noble
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The other day I went to the Mike Brodie art show. It was opening night, he was there, he was displaying shots he'd taken while riding the rails, hobo-ing it around America. I've been a fan of his work for at least as long as I've been on Flickr, so I was jazzed to meet him. And he did not disappoint.
But first, the work. He takes shots of the backyards, the train yards, the abandoned yards. The kids who are forgotten, who have chosen to disappear, to have decided to live in places not meant for living. Closed down factories, empty railway cars. He photographs an entire subculture that has no name, but is clear to you when you look at his work.
And I just assumed he was merely a documentor of these folks, a tourist.
Dead wrong. He wears their uniform of clothes that have bled together with dirt and wear into the same uniform greys and browns. He has their eyes, which are disdainful yet curious of "ordinary" people. And he was all about the catering.
When I asked to take his picture, he acquiesed, but with a hint of smug disdain. That is, until I whipped out my Polaroid, and a smile split his face. By no means was I on the same wavelength as he and his crew, but at least I understood his gear.
After taking the shot on the right, right at dusk, even before it began to develop, we both figured another shot, with flash, would be required. and so here it is. but, as discussed with Norah Goldenbogen from Polanoid, perhaps there's more to it.
Perhaps the shot on the right is how we see ourselves, and the one on the left is how others see us. Or, maybe it's the other way around.
Tags: polaroid 680 los angeles portrait mike brodie the polaroid kid M+B Gallery www.plrds.com Lou O' Bedlam polaroid louobedlam.com Lou Noble
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We spent a good 90 minutes taking shots outside, the sun blinding her, people walking by, cars getting in the shot, me burning most of my film. And when I felt we were pretty much done, I suggested we take a shot or two inside, just for shits and giggles.
So of course the light inside is perfect, and the shots I start taking are far superior to the ones from outside. And of course I've only got two packs of film left.
Fuck this, I'm going back to super-close-ups of strangers!
Tags: polaroid 680 los angeles 10.15.06 photo shoot lauren Lou O' Bedlam polaroid louobedlam.com Lou Noble portrait
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