Behind-the-scenes: Balearic Beauty Photoshoot.
One of my latest jaunts abroad with Billionaire.com was to the well known party island of Ibiza. A lads on tour pick of the bunch. It is also renowned for its beautiful beaches and islands dotted near Fortmentucra, and for this very reason it lends itself to be a great location for filming and photography, the very reason we headed out there.
While I was out there we had two photoshoots to complete, one of which I will show the behind the scenes photos here to the article now live on the website – Balearic Beauty photographed by Andy Barnham.
Unfortunately I do not have many to show as I had to control and hold a 6ft x 4ft sun swatter which requires both hands and a strong back. I shot with a 5D MKII with a 50mm 1.8 lens attached to my hip with the Peak Design Capture Clip System on my belt. THE best bit of kit I own.
The team consisted of 6 people: Photographer (Andy Barnham), Photography Assistant (me), Fashion Director (Antonia Chang), Make-up artist/Hair Stylist and Model. The 6th person was the delightful daughter of the owner of the location we shot at who wanted to help out and learn the ropes.
Kit consisted of the following:
Canon 5D MkIII – x2.
Canon 24-70mm f.2.8 IS USM Mk II lens – portrait lens.
Canon 70-200mm f.28 IS USM Mk II lens – telephoto lens.
Canon Speedlight 580EXII – x2.
Pocket Wizard Flex TT5 – x4
6ft x 4ft Sunbounce Sun Swatter with 2/3rd stop sheet.
5-in-1 105cm reflector.
80cm silver/white reflector.
Softboxes for flash guns.
Stands – x2.
Laptop – with photo editing software.
1TB Lacie Hard Drive – used to back up all the cards as we went along.
Various leads, batteries and memory cards (CF).
As we knew the weather was going to be good (end of August), the flash was only to be used as fill-in in the most trickiest of situations, but it turned out we didn’t require them at all. However it is always good to have them to hand.
Our main approach to the photography was to use the sun swatter to cast an even and balanced shade over the model eradicating the harsh shadows under the eyes, nose and chin, which would have been created by the high sun. To add the moulding and even lighting to the models face, the 105cm reflector was used to bounce light at the correct angle. (expertly held by the owner’s daughter.)
My main role as an assistant is to ensure that all the equipment is in the correct place before, during and after each shot. Also to have on my person at all times fresh batteries and clean memory cards. As soon as a card with images on was given to me, it gets placed in a dedicated pocket so I know exactly which ones need downloading. When a suitable break emerges (usually after a look is completed) I upload to the computer and then back up on to the Lacie Drive. This way it ensures we have double of everything. An organised filing system on the computer is a must, so when we get back to HQ and we start to edit we can easily locate what is where.
So here are some of the shots from the day’s shoot. Like I said earlier I would have taken more but had to handle a monster for the day.
Hero Image – Billionaire.com
Not Superman or Batman i’m afraid.
‘Hero Image’…the term used for images/illustrations/photographs that are placed in the most prominent position to grab readers when they land on a website.
Below are two examples that use two of my photos:
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- Goodwood Flight School – One of the hangers.
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- Fiskens – Classic Ferrari on show.
Billionaire.com – NOW LIVE!
Piers Cunliffe Photography has been dormant for a little over 8 months and there are good reasons as to why. Everything has been ‘hush hush’ as I embarked on my new job as a full time in-house photographer to a rather extraordinary company – Billionaire.com
I started on 1st January 2012. A move to London and a commute to Mayfair on my trusty steed has changed my lifestyle and photography dramatically. Towards the end of 2011 I dabbled in fashion and lifestyle. Well, this proved to be one of the best moves to have taken, as I am now an exclusive photographer in fashion and lifestyle. I cover fashion shows, factory visits of luxury items being created, bespoke craftsmanship, editorials and in the near future, campaigns.
I can now shout out that I work for an online publication called Billionaire.com. We launched on the 31st August (last Friday) and the fruits of my labour (alongside Head of Visuals and Lead Photographer Andy Barnham) to be published on a regular basis. It has been a full on 8 months of solid photographing, editing, travelling and planning.
My main role as 2nd photographer for Billionaire.com is to help with all aspects of the business from the photography department. From accountancy to factory visits, from meetings to assisting on our major shoots, I am truly embedded into the world of photography in the luxury market.
We have our HQ in Singapore and work closely with the design team ensuring that the website runs smoothly and is topped up with relevant articles for the Ultra-High Net-Worth Individuals.
As I blog more and more you will gain an insight into what it is like to be a full time photographer for an online publication. I plan to show all the behind the scenes work from our photosoots and of course the articles to which I provide the photography for. Alongside this I will regularly update it with my inspirations and ideas that float around in my head.
A little about Billionaire.com:
“Championing authentic luxury, discernment, culture and social conscience, Billionaire.com is poised to become the indispensable lifestyle resource for high and ultra-high net worth individuals who think and act globally — ‘the global mobile elite’.”
What no better way to get you started by looking at the Billoinaire.com/Royal Academy soft launch I photographed – http://bll.nr/1fbbc
Enjoy.
Photo Finish! Official Photographs
A collaboration with Shoot DHS and One Tribe TV
A race between two businessmen, who after work, have to be somewhere…but where? Public transport is not good enough! It’s slow and expensive! Go by bike? ….No! They take it to the streets on foot! Fast and agile and can go where cars can’t!
You can also view the video of the shoot here!
So here are my results. Enjoy!
Danny Time Watching!
Weather Watching
Foot Down
Game On!
Neck and Neck!
Jump into the lead!
Exhaustion
Desperation
Final effort!
So Close
Photography | Piers Cunliffe Photography
Thanks go to:
SHOOT DHS | Artistic Director
Lee Martland |Photography Assistant
Andy Barnham | Photography Assistant
Toby Russell | Camerman + Editor
Danny and Aaron | SHOOT DHS Models
One Tribe TV | Production Company
Updated Website – New Sections!
There are some great new changes to my website. A brand new fashion section, and soon to be filling the spaces are Film, in association with One Tribe TV, Published Work and Projects. Check it all out here – www.pierscunliffephotography.co.uk – So watch this space as I regularly update it!
Feedback would be great! Thanks
Screen Shot of new website!
In Association with One Tribe TV
RAKE Boxing Shoot – Outtakes
So a while back I posted about the official RAKE Boxing shoot by photographer Andy Barnham (click here to view post).
Now that it has been published, I thought I would share some of the shots that I liked that got chucked on the editing room floor.
Mackie
Robert
Harry
Noah
Nick
Tom
Test Shoot with Graham
A great friend of mine is round for the weekend and asked if I could show him how to use off camera flash. Absolutley, lets go one better and get out the studio kit. One will do!
I explained about how different shutter speeds with different apertures can affect the outcome. Also, using a higher f.stop can create darker backgrounds or make it look like it was taken at night. Also the use of a reflector can help reduce the harsh moulding created by either the sun or the flash. (depending which side you hold it.) The distance of the flash from the model as well as the distance you are from the model can also have different outcomes. The best way is to experiment…like I did today.
Small amount of post processing to clean up some spots and also added a desaturated feel to some of them.
So here are my results.
Enjoy.
200th | f.29 | ISO 100
200th | f.6.3 | ISO 100
250th | f.29 | ISO 100
200th | f.13 | ISO 100
The Rake Magazine – Bout Time
I was lucky enough to assist the very talented Andy Barnham on an editorial for The Rake, a gentleman’s fashion magazine.
“The Modern Voice of Classic Elegance”
This shoot took place in Repton Boxing club, London, a real down and out training ring with real character and heart. “No Guts No Glory” is at the core of this club and it shows too.
This shoot “plays upon the theme of two sharp-dressed east London ‘firms’ pitting their champs against one another! Tailoring and contenders – the mood’s a little bit Savile Row, a tad squabble and row. “
The experience of assisting on an editorial was amazing. I got to learn how all the different elements of a shoot is brought together to create the final outcome. Assisting is hard work and you have to be on your feet. You have to anticipate the photographers every move, be ready with the next piece of equipment without him even asking for it. You have to be ready to step up to the plate. One prime example of this was on this particular shoot. Only one boxer turned up, so the shoot was going to fail at the first hurdle. We got on with getting the shots that didn’t require the boxer and the shots that only required one boxer (see final shots below), but one of the main shots was two boxers fighting, to help complete the whole feel of the story.
To maintain the authenticity of the fight, we needed another boxer that was in the same weight category as Duds (who was also great to work with). The production manager was on his phone, hunting down a boxer, even one of the models knew of some boxing friends, but none were able to step in. Then all eyes fell on me….yes me! I stood there not quite registering what everyone was thinking, but then it clicked. I was the same weight, build, height and probably the only one willing to get half naked. I shrugged my shoulders and thought why the hell not. You only to get one chance! So the kit was off and the shorts and gloves (and make-up…thanks Piero) were on.
Stepping in the ring, was to say the least, a bit daunting. I didn’t even get a chance to warm up. Dudds was in training and having watched him demolish a punch bag, I wanted to throw the towel in there and then. I didn’t even get to throw my first punch and I was already on the ground knocked out…..well actually I was instructed by Andy as the first shot he wanted was of the losing boxer KO’ed! That bit was easy…just lie there and try not to smile/laugh.
The next shot was an action shot. I was up for a bit of gentle sparring, but the production manager, for health and safety reasons (or the certainty that I would have been hospitalised) was having none of it. So we repeated the same move over and over until Andy was happy with the shot. The full article can be read here.
It was a great day and we got to do it all again the next day in the London Palladium for a different story, but that’s for another post.
Big thanks go to Andy Barnham, Rosco Productions, Lee Martland, Piero, Esther Quek and her assistants, NEXT Models, Eden Cai and Duds.
Hope you enjoy the video and the photographs! (All Photographs © Andy Barnham | Video courtesy of Eden Cai.)
Stopping Traffic People
Last Wednesday saw the fantastic team of David Hill-Souch of SHOOTDHS, April Samantha, Sophie Bee MUA, Jodie Austen and myself to photograph two dresses by Traffic People in Bath. Our model, Sarah Shaw, took direction very well and added to the strong images we were after.
Set in the fabulous location of Hall and Woodhouse, the atmosphere created was one of the best I have ever worked in. Everybody carried out their job role effortlessly and contributions were made left right and center to help develop the theme. Working fast and smoothly helped us keep within our time frame and we even drew in a small crowd while shooting.
SHOOTDHS MODEL: Sarah S | http://www.shootdhs.co.uk/model.asp?id=46
Photographer Piers Cunliffe | www.pierscunliffephotography.co.uk
Photography Assistant & 2nd Photographer April Barrie | www.aprilsamantha.co.uk
Art Director & Stylist: David Hill-Souch | www.shootdhs.co.uk
MUA: Sophie Bee | www.sophiebee.com
Hair: Jodie Austen
Client: Traffic People | www.trafficpeople.co.uk
With many thanks to Hall & Woodhouse | http://hall-woodhousebath.co.uk/
A Walk In The Park
A collaboration with David Hill-Souch of SHOOTDHS Models and Scarlet Vintage, an independent vintage fashion shop in Trim Street, Bath.
Theme: 1960’s A Walk In The Park
SHOOTDHS MODELS: Sarah | http://www.shootdhs.co.uk/model.asp?id=45 & Alice http://www.shootdhs.co.uk/model.asp?id=80
Photographer Piers Cunliffe | www.pierscunliffephotography.co.uk
Photography Assistant Lee Martland | www.leemartland.co.uk
Photography Assistant & 2nd Photographer April Barrie | www.aprilsamantha.co.uk
Art Director & Stylist: David Hill-Souch | www.shootdhs.co.uk
MUA: Sophie Bee | www.sophiebee.com
Hair: Artizan | www.artizan.co.uk
Client: Scarlet Vintage | www.scarletvintage.co.uk
5 Queen Street, Bath, BA1 1HE
Aerial Fashion Shoot
I was asked to shoot a clothes line for a fashion student at the University of Wales Newport (my old university). She wanted it to stand out from the rest of the students. She had seen my previous work with Elena Marina that I had photographed at the disused mine shaft and she asked me if I could do all that, but with six different garments. “Of course I can!” So after two shoots and a sewn through finger (not mine thankfully) I can now present the final results.
Elena Marina – Aerial Artist
Photographed an amazing aerial artist on her hoop in a disused mine shaft. The juxtaposition of her elegant movement against the roughness of the mineshaft works well, but don’t be fooled by her red dress. Elena is a full time aerial artist and you can view her website here.
Bath in Fashion
Had the opportunity to shoot some of the shows in Bath. It was trial by fire but I am please with the results. My work was also picked up by Hati South, a Bath fashion blogger – click here to view.
Met a fantastic photographer – Andy Barnham. I really like his work, his black and white work is really strong, with good compositional lead in lines.It pays to network, always have your business cards handy and always follow up every email and card you receive – even offering them a drink after a hard days shoot helps us all to unwind!
Hope you like what you see!
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