Wherever the winds blow

Wherever the winds blow

I wasn’t planning to blog today, because I’ve been shooting – but then I thought that the pictures I’d shot might be a way into some interesting thoughts.

I was working with a model I’ve photographed a couple of times before: she’s bought herself a portable pole (as in pole dancing), and wanted to make some pictures with it. She posted a casting call, and I responded. Her rate was reasonable, but I need to emphasise that I paid her, to shoot her ideas.

And that’s the point, or points: that it’s valid to collaborate, not just to impose your views on the people and places you photograph. And that going with the way the wind is blowing isn’t a bad thing (unless it’s Storm Force 10, and heading for the rocks).

Many years ago, I worked for the Department of Health and Social Security (the name sort of gives away the time), and was seconded to the Economic Advisor’s Office. The particular economic advisor I worked for was doing a project on the cost of treatment for patients with kidney failure: at the end of one Friday afternoon collecting data at a hospital, a doctor stuck his head round the door where a colleague and I were working, and asked if either of us wanted to watch a kidney transplant.

My colleague said no: and the following day, as John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg limbered up at Wimbledon for the Men’s Singles Final, I was donning a gown, theatre shoes and a face mask. No camera: but it was a fascinating afternoon, during which I gained a new respect for surgeons and their sense of humour.

Or, as they say now – when the world hands you a lemon, make lemonade. Every restriction can be an opportunity.

Shooting pictures of a plus-sized model in a restricted space isn’t an obvious recipe for success, but I’ve learned more about my lighting and lenses – and maybe got a few memorable pictures. EJ and I are both well pleased, and you’ve got an extra blog…