September 28, 2011

Monbizwé

Hello people!

So this is probably the quirkiest photoshoot I've ever done and I'm SO happy with how it turned out. As you may know already, it was a style shoot for Monbizwé Bow Ties - an adorable label of handmade bow ties from new and recycled materials. Each individual bow tie is super cute and super unique. 

Each of the four girls and four boys had to bring their own image to the single bow tie, showing us that you could totally wear a bow tie no matter what your style is. Big thanks to Miranda and William for letting us shoot in their adorable house - and I apologise to them again for rearranging furniture to accommodate my shooting! The great thing about this shoot was that I could really show each model's personality and taste through the photos, using things in the environment to add a bit of character to each shoot. Thanks to Chloé T for doing the boys' make-up!

(See the full collections and mini-interviews with the models at Monbizwé Bow Ties' facebook page)

Katherine
William
Megan

Julia

Miranda
Isaac
Nicolino

The creator of Monbizwé (centre) and her models
Rowan and I (taken by Miranda)
Rowan, William and alcohol
Megan and I

September 24, 2011

Jay

Hello readers,
So I came back from Melbourne just yesterday. While I was visiting I managed to fit in 2 shoots, one with Jay and one with Maggie for her fashion blog (see part 1). I won't post the photos from Maggie's shoot because they'll feature on her blog.
The original concept for Jay's shoot was 'street grunge' or something along those lines. (Think Taylor Momsen cross Effy Stonem.)

Pretty sure she's the most adorable thing ever.


A before and after shot

Purple hair buddies! We're such dorks.


It was such a fun shoot. Too bad the wind was way too intense so we didn't shoot for long. Can't wait to shoot her again next time I'm in Melbourne.


September 17, 2011

Divya and Allura


I had a shoot with Divya and Allura today. It was just lovely! The weather was amazing - it was sunny and warm (though it would have been better if it were overcast!) I was joined by Angie To from Angie To Photography who was taking behind-the-scenes photographs, and Bethanie who was assisting with the reflectors and being her generally awesome self.

Although my original concept was more neutral and flowy than the final styling, I think the two models' outfits complimented each other well! Divya wore a beautiful black blouse-like thing (alliteration!) and Allura wore one of my many dresses with lace, and a fur shawl. It turned into a sort of Ebony and Ivory kind of look - I liked it! Oh, and as of yesterday my hair is purple!

The beautiful couple ;)

Dani in action! (Taken by Angie)

The crew (minus Bethanie)!

Camwhoring with Angie!

September 16, 2011

Free Lightroom Preset #1

Hello everyone!

Yesterday was Thursday. It was also the day of my very first studio photoshoot in which I was the model rather than the photographer. MODELLING IS SO MUCH FUN. I mean, I'm aching all over because of having to stand in awkward positions for five hours, but it was so worth it! It was organised by myself and a fellow Canberran photographer Robert Coppa, with amazing makeup by Anne McAnulty and hair by Jessica Lewis. Wardrobe was from Alice Be Curious. Robert was quick with the release of the first image of the shoot (Thanks, Rob!):



(Please disregard my awkward facial expressions.) As you can see, my back is slightly broken in this picture. And because I had to stand with all my weight balanced on one side, this morning I woke up feeling like I've run a 27429km hopping marathon with my right leg. Good times. I wouldn't mind keeping this going. Modelling and photography kind of go hand-in-hand (though modelling for another photographer is so different to taking self-portraits!)

Check out Robert's other work. It's well worth it!



A couple of days ago I promised I'd share a Lightroom preset that I use for my photos. I generally have 5 or so that I mainly use, and I tweak those five according to the different lighting situations I shoot in etc. 

This preset it called 'Vestal by Daniele' and although I don't mind sharing it with my fans and readers and I'm happy for you to use it for your own editing, I'd really appreciate it if you would credit the preset to me and link it back to me or something. I've put a lot of effort into perfecting my presets and I don't want them to be taken advantage of. They're my babies. ;)

Vestal by Danièle - Before


Vestal by Danièle - After


If you like it, download it here or copy http://danielemartinie.com/downloads.html into your browser. It should work with all versions of Lightroom, but let me know if it doesn't and I'll try and fix it! Shoot me any questions you have regarding editing and all that. I'd love to answer them.

I might also upload more of these if Vestal gets a good response. Enjoy and spread the love!
Please leave a link in the comments if you've used the preset - I'd love to see your work!

I'll update sometime after my shoot tomorrow with Divya and Allura. It's going to be fun fun fun as long as the weather holds up!

September 09, 2011

one of twelve


Hi everyone! 

     I've added the option to subscribe by email or by joining my blog (down the right) so don't forget to do that before you leave! This is the first of twelve posts in which I will be talking about my journey through Project 365. I'm not just writing this for the fans of my photography, but for myself. Maybe I'm trying to find some sort of closure from going through the project, or maybe I just miss it too much and want to relive it. I don't know, but maybe something fruitful will actually come out of this. It might not appeal to you. It might even bore you... But if I can inspire even one of you to pick up your camera, guitar or paintbrush and make some beautiful art, it'll be worth it. So here goes...



The first month of Project 365 involved some major turning points in my life.

     I finally decided to get a remote from eBay for my selfportraits (it still works!), I took my first iPhone shot of the project and my first hairflip shot. I also hit 10,000 views on my photostream, made my first ever feature on Flickr Explore's FrontPage and had 17 other photos appearing on Explore.

     The end of the first month was also the end of a relationship with my boyfriend at the time whom I had moved away from to study. I think that was the point when I convinced myself that change might not be a bad thing. I put my thoughts and efforts into my photography and my studies instead. I try to find inspiration in everything that happens around me and things are never really as bad as they seem. Or if they are, things can always be a lot worse! But, I digress...







     I've recently been toying with the idea of setting up a small backdrop/lighting set-up in the spare room, but I think it all comes down to money. I also want the Nikkor 50 f/1.4... Though I won't let myself until I manage to get at least 10 paid shoots. I have two coming up in the next two weeks, so I'm on my way there!

     From the beginning of the project I had already begun developing my own editing style, and was pretty comfortable with my post-processing. (You probably notice all the soft pink tones and pale backgrounds.) I also picked up my stepdad's old Pentax MX and took some film photos but didn't get around to developing them until much later, only realising recently how much I really appreciate the magic of film. One day I'll get around to learning how to develop and set up my own dark room. I don't know.

     A couple of people have asked me to share the Lightroom presets that I use for editing my photos. To be honest, I don't really want to. It's not that I'm selfish or anything like that. I think it's more of the fact that I made these presets for my own style of photography, and giving that to someone else is like letting them create some sort of imitation work that has 'Danièle' written all over it. It's flattering, don't get me wrong. I just think it's important to be individual and unique in creating your own work, and reproducing your work to look like somebody else's just seems odd and unnatural to me.

September 03, 2011

catalyst

     When my uncle and mother were young, their uncle was also a photographer. He was my uncle's inspiration. On a visit to China, my uncle gave me a Nikon D40x, and his tripod. His uncle had given him the tripod when he first started taking photos, and he passed it on to me. I named my Nikon Codie, and Codie triggered the beginning of an amazing relationship with photography that has brought so much excitement, joy and frustration to my life. 

     Last year on June 24th I went on a spontaneous photojourney around the suburb. The lighting was amazing. I ended up shooting the full memory card worth of photos. On that day I decided to start Project365. The following 365 days would involve the most trying moments of all my photographic endeavors...

Project365: Day 1 collection

     There were times when I was sure I could not possibly produce something worth uploading, but I couldn't bring myself to quit. No matter how down I felt, I knew I had to follow it through. So I did. And I've never felt so proud. Completing this project has made me appreciate photography and fall in love with the process all over again. Some of my best work has come from Project365. Forcing me to shoot and edit everyday was tedious, but worth it.

     I can't wait to continue my journey and take my photography further to push the limits of my creativity.