Berna V Photography

A bit of updates

2011-10-01T11:03:00.006+01:00

Recently I have not been very active doing any fashion or beauty photography, good in some way because I have just been back from a very nice holiday in Cyprus, doing some freelance design job, and wedding photography which proved to support my wallet a bit. But I can't wait to get back to produce some creative stuff, and keep the creative juice flowing.

After looking at (or more likely - staring) my photography portfolio for a while, I think now I know what needs to be done, to put that something little special on top! Something that can tide the images together better, as a whole.

For now, I will just share some of my favourite shots I took at the weddings, they are not just special for the lovely couples who invited me to be their photographer, these pictures also mean a lot to me, because they have given me so much joy at the same time :)

Recent Publication

2011-08-12T16:00:00.006+01:00

Recently in June had a set of editorial being published by Papercut Magazine.

I have great joy being published by them, and be among many other great photographers in the magazine.

An online version of the magazine could be seen HERE
and if you would like a hard copy, you can order a copy HERE ;)

Here's my editorial with Papercut. Enjoy :)

Inspiration this month

2011-05-07T23:30:00.005+01:00

To help myself better with designing process and creative thinking, I have decided to take a regular exercise to keep track of what things inspire me, and make me happy. Something that I have been so neglected to do, but shouldn't have overlooked the importance of this exercise whereas will help me to visualise what's in my mind.

This month, welcoming the summer and the sight of the royal wedding, I found myself especially drawn to flowers, the red-tangy colour mix with neutral tone, and the floaty fabric. That's me yearning for a bright, and colourful summer with a breeze through my sleeves :>

World of Photography Vol. 2

2011-01-19T13:05:00.003Z

Follow up the success of the bookzine - World of Photography, in which I was luckily being included two pieces of work in their volume 1 last time, now the publisher Archant decided to go for a second volume!!

Will I have any work to be included in Vol. 2??
Hopefully.

The images they select will also be considered for inclusion in their iPad app World of Photography, which is available to download on iTunes FREE here: www.photographymonthly.com/world

To become a fan on facebook click here:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-World-of-Photography/154311001249833

Fashion Story

2011-01-13T11:40:00.006Z

Happy 2011 everyone!
My new year resolutions this year would be shooting more fashion story.
And of course to improve my skills further.

From my last few times shooting fashion story, I realised its very hard to pick the perfect one to feature into a story, not only because picking up the right mood within the images to fit into the story theme is important, also because the slightest little things such as where the models gaze does matter!! And colour, light, angle, background...etc. too many to list...

I hope by keep practising to put a story together, will earn me the experience and a very sufficient way to plan any future fashion story, not to mention the preparation and "storyboard" has to be looked into the very last details. Shooting outdoor is always a challenge, because there could always be unexpected things happened. For example, there could be loads of rubbish dump into the street waiting for the bin man to collect, and could have ruined the plan for your shoot, and unfortunately that is exactly what happened to me in one of my shoots near Oxford Circus in London last month >,< doh

Here's the first fashion story I have done as a test, titled:
Where The Wild Things Are

Hope you like :)

Model: Melanie Rose
Make-up: Miriam Cyna
Styling: moi

Recent Publication

2010-11-10T23:42:00.009Z

Haven't been updated my blog for a while now... was in fact busying with a few things at the same time...

But here I am with a good little news, that I have a few more works got published into two publication.

The first one is World of Photography Vol. 1, published by Archant Specialist Magazines, also the publisher of the monthly magazine - PhotographyMonthly, selling nationwide in the UK.

Earlier last month or so, they have emailed and ask about if they can publish two of my self portraits, which I had them for a test for editing practice purpose. Twice as lucky as it is, this is my second time that I have work published by them, and I am grateful that they are here, so photographers like myself have an outlet to showcase our work to a wider audience. So, thank you again :)

Here's the link if anyone would like to purchase a copy of World of Photography Vol. 1, which consists over 500 inspirational images from its reader.

http://www.subscriptionsave.co.uk/Photography-Magazines/World-of-Photography/102WOP
The World of Photography £4.99. FREE postage to UK, £3 for Europe delivery, £5 for Rest of World.

The other publishing is in an enthic magazine - ELEM, Issue 18 featuring a story of the very first modelling competition of Eritrea, Africa, (Eritrea's Top Model) which is holding here in London. Similar to American/Britain Next Top Model, in the competition, the contestants have to go through a few different stages, and be shooting at photoshoots in different themes with different photographers. I was their very first challenge and their very first photographer who shot the four very beautiful contestants in a beauty theme. The Elem Mag covered the story with the host of the competition - Elsabel Yemane, and featuring all the final chosen shots for the girls.

The competition final is going live on 27 November · 22:00 - 23:00 in London.
For people who are interested to go to see the final show down, you can visit their official event page on facebook [here]

Elem Mag is available at a selective stockists in London (UK), Germany, USA and Canada.
For stockist, please click here.

And here are my most favourite shots of the girls :)

Milena

Winta

Rahel

Jorda

You've been photoshopped!!

2010-09-24T17:45:00.004+01:00

Lately I’m addicted to a fashion blog call (Fashion Gone Rogue), it’s extremely attractive with its contents for all the latest editorial, and fashion advertising campaigns. Needless to say, I am entirely amazed from a lot of fashion photography and found it extremely convenience to find them all in one place, and it really helps a lot to exclude magazines purchases from my monthly bill.

For all I care, is to study the photographs, like their lighting, compositions, and angles, while at the same time, to appreciate the models/actresses portrait an excellent feelings to the editorial stories. Only until recently, then I started to also look at the comments people made regards the quality of the photographs, or what they think about the shoots.

I’m somewhat surprised to see a lot of people slacking off the images being photoshopped (or being heavily touched up as some would say), it occurs especially when the editorials are involving actress. The comments are harsh, mainly picking up on little things like their skin conditions, or their somehow mysterious sudden younger appearance. Seeing so many people being very judgemental to someone just because they think they know the actresses surprised me.

Do these people really think retouching to the images only apply on actor or actresses? Be realistic, no one is perfect!! Even Gisel and Kate Moss have been heavily photoshopped in their fashion images. Even the fashion images of my all-time favourite model - Jessica Stam are being photoshopped, (apparently she has lines on her face too).

Fashion editorials have never been about portraying the reality, it has never been real, it’s about the fancy dreams, the ideal images we all want to see ourselves in.

I suspect many people might not even realised before digital photography and the photo editing software Photoshop were introduced, retouching images have long been part of the process in majority of commercial photography and portrait photography. If you do a bit research in photography history, you’ll see portrait photographers as early as in 1940s, have been using all kind of processing techniques to develop the films in the hope of creating the rather flattering images of people, and even hand painting on the films. Usual processing such as putting more colours for the ladies on their cheeks, darken eyebrows, altogether with a higher contrast on exposure, so you don’t see the lines on the face.

So now, lets settle down the retouching issues and tell me the truth, who wants to see all that flaws on your face when you look into the mirror, or seeing the photos of yourself showing the red drunken face, smudged make-up, or scars, or sun burn? And you are supposed to see all those flaws in the advertising and campaign images? when they are supposed to booze up the sell? You don’t, do you?

Now wake up, and accept the reality that no one is perfect.
Oh by the way, editorials are called editorials for a reason.

Jessica Stam in Dior campaign

A snapshot of Jessica in backstage

Traditional Portrait Shoot

2010-08-20T16:36:00.004+01:00

I always have a fond of traditional portrait paintings, and those early portrait photographs in the mid 18th century to early 19th century...and i've been waiting for too long to try to do something similar to that style of photography...

Finally I got myself a dark grey backdrop paper that will allow me to take some portrait shots which has that kind of feelings ....

Here's some latest shots I've been using the dark grey (or what the seller calling it "storm grey") backdrop.

Model: Kate Bennett

Model: Wendy Chan
Make-up artist: Natalie Piacun
Hair styling & hair piece: made by myself

The Black Dahlia

2010-04-26T10:01:00.011+01:00

The Black Dahlia project was the first project that I broke myself from the usual stuff I do in photography. Idea was trying to capture the private moment of a rather unique woman, behind her closed doors.

Sometimes I felt that we may all put up a glamour smile when we are out facing people, in both work and social environment, but life is always far from perfect. This makes me want to capture the downs and loneliness when nobody is around you, when you could be yourself and not care to show what you really feel. To show this, my target was to create a series of images that look like film stills, as if you were there watching her behind an invisible cloth.

The Black Dahlia, is a name from both the novel and the movie, telling the tragic story of Elizabeth Short, who was an aspiring actress in the 1940s and was brutally murdered at a very young age. This case remained the most notorious unsolved murder in California history.

Elizabeth Short

The Black Dahlia was a name created by the media at that time to represent her, because of her radiant black hair.

The tragic of her death still caused countless of speculations then and now.

The reason I chose the Black Dahlia as my subject, because she represents a mixture of complex feelings to me. She was glamour and beautiful, but unlike someone such as Marilyn Monroe, she was famous for the wrong reason when her body was found brutally mutilated in the street.

She was this young girl who dreamt to be an Hollywood actress, one of the tragic was she never made it. The other was she engaged once to a fighter jet pilot, but was killed on his return. Abide all these and led a poor life, she maintained a positive thinking and uplifting image to people who knew her. She had a dream to keep her going on. On a personal level, I feel very strong for what she had hoped for in life, and feel sorry that she never had the chance to make any of her dreams come true, all that was because her life is too short-lived.

On a metaphor level, she's in many of us. We have dreams, but often reality comes and killed it. To remind myself life is too short, and to treasure any opportunity I might and will have in life, its logic to bring her "back to life", as if she's still here living among all of us.

Many thanks for:

Model: Shireen Ashton

MUA: Kate Rose

Recent published work

2010-03-21T00:46:00.004Z

I'm very pleased that I have another two pieces of work got published in an Indonesian fashion & lifestyle magazine, in their March 2010 issue.

If you're accessible to it, sure grap yourself a copy, I was really enjoyed all the other photographic works in this magazine, so i'm sure you'll like it too. And I'm so proud to be among one of the contributors in this magazine... it wouldn't have happened if its not my beautiful friend Nooshin come to shoot with me as my model; the talented and experienced MUA - Alicia, whom I knew for a couple of years now, thanks for doing such a great job, and believed in me even though I'm so young in my photography years...

Thank you so much ladies :) I'm forever grateful for your contributions and hard work.

Front cover & contents page

Chef Editor's page & Credits page

The two pieces of work that are published in the mag.

Domain Name update

2010-01-24T12:08:00.001Z

Just a quick note to notify now my website address is:

www.berna-v-photography.co.uk

Some updates

2010-01-21T17:56:00.006Z

Due to Uni work and about to move house soon, too much time has been taken away from me and it has been a while since I can do more photoshoot to suit my urge in photography.

But when you love something, you just couldn't put it down for too long. So I sneak a little bit time in, to study more ways to edit a black & white image.

The following three images (from some old shoots) is the new product from my new found processing methods for B&W images. I know its not something innovative, I am sure many people has done more or less this kind of editing, but as part of the experiment I hope it comes out nicely.

*A soft glow surround the subject to create a soft & feminine image.
Model: Nooshin
MUA: Alicia Samuels (AOXpressions)

* A more harsh exposure to the shadow & light, to recreate the mood of the 50s/60s photographs.
Model: Rosey D
MUA: Sian-Louise Auld
Stylist: Kati Brugnoli

In addition, the photos that were originally planned to be published in the international Indonesian fashion magazine (FIORI), has postponed into the February issue now. I can't wait to see them.

More possible publishing opportunities is also under way :)
There are some big plans include, but I'll tell more when things are more settled ;)

Published work

2009-12-17T12:59:00.003Z

My first piece of work get published, in this month - Photography Monthly Jan 2010 issue
P. 23

Out in the shop now ;)

Editor's comment:
"This shows a great use of natural light to create a flattering and powerful portrait"

Human's Origin Part 2

2009-11-09T17:12:00.004Z

The second piece for my personal project - Human's Origin. For more information behind this project, please visit my website. Many thanks again to my beautiful friend and model - Nooshin, and one of my favourite mua - Alicia. Love you girls!!

Normal Version

Wallpaper version

Acrylic White

2009-11-03T15:40:00.005Z

This is the original intended style for the shoot with model Priscilla and make up artist Maya Lewis. A simple, clean and sleek look as an editorial image.

Both dress and sunglasses, from Spitalfields Market, London.

Manipulation experiment

2009-10-30T11:32:00.004Z

The last shoot I did was with Priscilla Schwarz and mua Maya Lewis. Both very professional and nice ladies!! I took one piece to do some manipulation experiment, and its not sure how it comes across to you as an audience. Since I never do anything that is too digital manipulated before...and this piece I've done here as an experiment, hoping to see what kind of reaction I get. A simple question is, do you like it or not? If not, why not?

Feel free to say what you think, coz I take pleasure to do some work people enjoy of seeing it! So if you feel you need to give me a smack, please do, coz it'll help me grow with the help of useful critics!! I found most people are too polite to say what's wrong with it, and I promise you I won't take it as an offence ;D

Now, come and try me XD

80s Approach

2009-10-29T14:39:00.006Z

Homage to the era I was born and brought up in... There was a lot of 80s fashion revived in the recent years, a lot of it may have to thank supermodel Agyness Deyn... I used to hate all fashion back in the 80s and 90s, I think they were horrible, the clothes are lack of shape if you are the casual type, or it may make you feel quite uncomfortable (too tight) to move around while you think you looked cool if you decide to go punk.

Thank god those issues were balanced out for good with the reinvent on cutting and styling for the revival of 80s fashion, ... and now I'm not afraid of looking back to the 80s fashion again, and input some vision of my own hehe

My dream comes true when I came across with Kasia, there I found my perfect model to pay that homage! Kasia is also a very amazing photographer herself, make sure to check her work too. (http://kasiaznana.blogspot.com).

And many thanks to Bukola to be the make up artist on the day, she's one of the mua I've met who's so patient to what I need, and such a polite girl!!

The make-up, of course, heavily inspired from the 80s, especially David Bowie!!

Here's the finished product...

Dress from TopShop.

Stacey Shoot - Vintage Look

2009-10-08T13:37:00.003+01:00

Here's some more new shots of Stacey, a real wonderful model and a sweet lady. I have to thank her again for coming to do the shoot with me, while she was so busy just before leaving UK for international modelling expedition. And I'm so pleased for her now she is signed with top international agencies in Thailand, Malaysia and in Australia.

I don't need to tell you how gorgeous she is, but I must pressed that all the shapes she was performing on the day were truly versatile and done beautifully.

Here's one of the looks we've done on the day, using a 70s vintage cocktail dress, originally belonged to my lovely mom, where she worn on her wedding party.

Enjoy!

Male Fashion Portrait

2009-10-02T20:25:00.004+01:00

I rarely do male fashion portrait, so i thought it was time to have another attempt.

Here's the two I found I best like, and i hope you like it too.

And here's a character/actor shot I like the most.

Thanks John to be my model of the day.

More new stuff soon

2009-10-01T19:26:00.005+01:00

The last two weeks were constantly shooting and editing. I have to say the last shoot done with the wonderful model, Priscilla, and make-up artist Maya, is my most satisfying so far, coz I have input more design element into the shoot for a change, rather than just clothes and make-up.

Now I definitely agree if you want to create something good and different, you really have to push yourself hard. You gotta find out what brings out the best of the model and the clothes....

I can't wait to edit them pictures. But first thing first, I must finished all the work that was shot earlier... I could only hope I have a clone to help me out on editing...

Magazine Deal

2009-09-19T19:11:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I got offer an opportunity to contribute images (my photography work), to a top fashion magazine in Indonesia!! I'm so so so happy!! They actually found me on flickr!! Can you believe it!?

Its really great to know my first step was made into the publishing world. I can only hope my standard would become better and better, and someone (agency) would noticing my work, and can have more and proper paid job opportunity in the future. Well, who knows what might happen!?

The magazine going to publish my work is: Fiori Magazine
with 45K run in printing and 30K readers in Indonesia, mainly in Bali with international readers.

I've already submitted 6 beauty images for their Nov issue. And today I was asked to send 4 more fashion images as well!! It's really cool if its gonna be a regular thing =^.^=

A thought on editing...

2009-09-14T14:13:00.003+01:00

I now have pictures from 3 shoots on my hand to be edited... altho 2 of them have already been edited about 40 to 50% ...but sometimes i feel like i needed to break away from the images I've taken for a while, so when i look at them again, I'll know how to edit them.

I wonder if its the same for other photographers!? Apparently there are some pictures which are pretty straight forward on editing coz from the moment you took the pictures, you already knew what you want and how it should look like. For those others, you caught on the camera because of instinct, i always find it takes a bit time to decide what kind of editing would fit the image the best.

I am certainly not the kind of photographer who would process the picture for the sake of putting the pictures out as soon as it can be. That may not be good news for those who work with me, and eagerly waiting for the pictures... but i do believe the waiting should be well worth it... i hope...

Please tolerate me...

Website is updated...

2009-09-09T14:42:00.002+01:00

Finally, have a bit time to update my website.

I'm very glad to have more decent work to upload, and on top of it, I finally have sitted myself down properly, and write out about my personal project - Human's Origin.

The message behind this project, the wish and belief is something I hold dearly...
Make sure to check it out, and I urge you to make a change to the world and yourself today!!

Here's the first piece of the series, more to follow.

A fruitful day

2009-09-08T23:57:00.005+01:00

Yesterday I shot with my beautiful beautiful friend Nooshin, and a very talented make-up artist - Alicia, whom I know her for a long time. The shoot was heavily concentrating on beauty looks, aimed to produce a very high end images and of course for my Human's Origin project!!

Nooshin is perfect for this coz her look is very feminine but yet strong!! That's exactly what i love about her. I can always see her has a strong sense of independency, but not forgetting who she is, and could be very girly too! She also has a great personality which is a great bonus!

Here's some behind scenes pictures at the shoot:

Alicia and Nooshin are so happy together lol

And here's some finishing product so far...

Editorial Beauty - Famme Fatal

Editorial Beauty - Autumn Luxe

And there's more to come ;)

Next shoot Plan

2009-08-29T16:08:00.005+01:00

As I'm writing this, I'm planning to do a male character portrait shoot next week with John. He's originally from Australia, who has very nice physique and great smile. I came across with John from other work occassions, when we were both filming for commercials as an artiste. John is an actor, dancer, and also a lead singer of a band.

So in this shoot, I'd like mainly to show his characteristic, rather than focus on fashion. So far, I'm planning to shoot some close-ups of John, with his natural look, and some with him pulling some subtle emotions, nothing too OTT kind.

Styling wise, to keep it simple and good for some black & white images, I asked John to bring mainly black, white, and grey combinations of clothing, some accessories, like glasses, shades, and scarf. And just one or two bright jumper, to create some different feelings in the pics.

Background will be using both black, and white.

As I haven't got much experience in male portrait photography, only once for a salon, and some others are mostly snaps of my boyfriend playing... so today I'm gonna study about male photography a bit to get a deeper understanding in composition and lighting. The magazine - Another Man, (belongs to Another Magazine, Official website: http://www.anothermag.com ), although its a bit pricy, but such good reference for male fashion photography, with all different kind and styles, it's really worth buying it just for the photos.

In the past, I've been told in order to give a better mood for male photography, its good to use stronger light, to create some harsh shadows ... so on today's study, I'm gonna keep an eye for that and see what could be achieved.

And here's some male portrait shots I have done in the past:

Start of Photography blog

2009-08-28T14:20:00.000+01:00

From now on, I'd like to start documenting my photoshoots, partly because I think its important to look back what you have done, so you can improve and move on to something new. This blog won't be much about technical tips, in general I'm not a techi person, but I'll definitely put down what I've learned from time to time.

Here's a few images of some new edits from some old shoots for a start.
Model: Amanda S
Styling & Make-up: myself
Dress: Charas Designer Wear
Location: Manchester

Model: Aslihan
MUA: Selena Jones
Dress: Charas Designer Wear
Location: London, Albion Riverside

Model: Hayley
Style & Make-up: myself
Location: Herts

Model: Rosey D
MUA: Sian-Louise Auld
Stylist: Kati Brugnoli
Location: London

Right now, I'm editing a new shoot which was done about 2 weeks ago... new images soon will follow up :)