Here is a selection of my monochrome pictures from the recent Passion On The Streets™ workshop in Siena, Tuscany. I’m more usually known for my colour work but I wanted to start the delegates off by thinking monochrome. There’s no better way to do this than to switch picture styles on the camera to monochrome. If you are shooting RAW this will only affect the screen on the back of the camera as Lightroom will soon make it’s own colour preview of the shot when you are back at the studio.
An iconic shot with the scooter in the foreground sets the scene. Lighting was from an upstage Speedlight triggered by infra red TTL. Canon 5Dmk2 ISO 400, 1/200th at f/3.5
This shot was lit with a Lastolite Tri Grip reflector attached to a stand set up about 30 metres away. If you can find a bit of sun you can usually move it about with a reflector.
When I'm covering events I often refer to the motto 'If in doubt, zoom out', But when things hot up I get on in there. Natural light.
Here's a picture for mum and dad, or perhaps not. Passion in my shots is often created by a intense look in the eye or a suggestive pose or sometimes both. ISO 800, 1/125th, at f/4. Natural light.
The next shot in the sequence has implied timing. The truth is that Lisa Marie and Sean posed for us in this perfect pre kiss state for quite a few moments. Eyes closed is one of the key elements here. Natural light.
All these shots were taken from below the eye line. It gives them a very feature film like quality. It's another trick I learned at the BBC. ISO 400, 1/100th at f/4. Natural light.
Natural contra jour light and a timeless pose captured at ISO 800, 1/60th at f/3.5. Natural light.
The same shot from the other side but this time the contra jour or upstage light was provided by a Speedlight on a stand. ISO 200, 1/200th at f/9
I like a picture that can be written about. This picture triggers all sorts of thoughts in me. The intensity of Sean's look and his calmness say so much. ISO 800, 1/50th at f/2.8. Natural light.
Round the other way with Lisa-Marie's look steals the show. It's all in the eyes. What does this shot say to you? ISO 1000, 1/50th at f/4. Natural light.
Tender moments like this make great sequences in wedding albums. They are simple to shoot and great fun too. All you need is a great rapport with your client. ISO 800, 1/125th at f/4. Natural light.
The same moment from different angles. Exposure details as above. Natural light.
Rarely do kissing shots work as well as a pre-kiss moment. ISO 1600, 1/60th at f/3.2. Natural light.
It's worth exploring different poses like this if you are passionate about passion. ISO 1600, 1/60th at f/3.2. Natural light.
And finally for now I thought I'd end on a low key high ISO shot. ISO 2500, 1/100th at f/3.5. Natural light.
The relationship between people is never as easy to photograph as the people themselves. The three days of shooting in Siena for this workshop was a career high for me. Siena is a magical place with surprises around each corner. Please feel free to comment on these pictures in the space below. I’ll post the colour set next.
Damien.
I would wholeheartedly recommend San Francisco as a US location for a ‘passion’ shoot. Huge variety of locations to choose from, huge variety of architecture, nice climate, great people. Need I say more?
Oh, by the way, did I mention the food? (only a short drive north to te Napa Valley wine region too)
Hi Ziggy, San Francisco is a brilliant suggestion. I can tie it in with my road trip in a Mustang or Corvette via Nappa valley, Yosemiti, the Hoover Dam etc to Las Vagas. I’m excited already. Damien.
Hi Terrence,
Thanks for your kind words. ‘Things’ are certainly fine here.
I was thinking of running a few Passion On The Streets™ workshops in the US. Where should I go first? New York was great but I want to see and shoot another city. One with equal character, and a laid back attitude to street photography. Any ideas?
Cheers, Damien.
How are things? My wife and I viewed your latest pics. I looked over at her and she was moved to tears. Beautiful work. Terrence
Thanks all for your wonderful comments and words of encouragement. It was many years ago – perhaps in 1998 or so, that I saw an advertising campaign by Calvin Klein where the shots(all monochrome) were as steamy as could be achieved with clothes on. Since then I have always wanted to shoot a series of frames that get close. They had to go way beyond the usual engagement and wedding pictures and finally I think I’ve done it. My next job will be to take the concept of ‘Passion on the Streets’ further, perhaps to other cities and countries before developing it as a genre in it’s own right.
Cheers, Damien.
Love this b&w series… Great work!
I think you know by now how I feel about
these shots and your workshops
forget xfactor how about Wow factor
great shots love the posing ideal for adding extra passion to standard or boring wedding shots
Really beautiful shots Damien!
Thanks for sharing your posing methods.
or command F7 for me :)
beautiful camera work D, great PP who gets that credit? D M or L
The Lovegrove black and white conversion technique used in the above pictures is as follows:
1. Remove black clipping automatically on import into Lightroom using an assigned Lightroom develop preset.
2. Switch the file to greyscale in Lightroom.
3. Adjust curves, contrast and apply gradients in Lightroom and export at 16 bit.
4. Spot touch up and make selective tonal adjustments (dodging and burning) in Photoshop.
5. Re import into Lightroom (still at 16 bit) and apply our split toning develop preset.
6. Export as required, when required.
I hope this helps,
Damien.
Damien
Amazing shots. Thanks for sharing.
Rich
Damien, these shots are crazy!
Love the monochrome style…they fit the location perfectly.
Please share the process.
I was on a workshop with you this past summer in New York.
Looking forward to another one. Please do Tuscany again!
Wayne
Beautiful images :) Damien, they do effectively reflect the heat and passion we witnessed.
To whomever wished to be there but wasn’t I can say that it was a unique experience which went well beyond the exceptional photography: The atmosphere, the wine, the picture opportunities, the sun and the location, made of these 4 days a MUST.
It is definitively something you should jump in, if it ever happens again in the future.
This is definitely one of those “wish I was there” moments… I love the poses… I love the images… awesome!
Really beautiful shots Damien! Are you willing to share the BW coversion technique you used for these photos?
These are georgous photos. I just wish I was there.
These shots work so well in black & white. I had a fabulous day in Siena with you. It really is a magical place and I will definitely go back. Looking forward to seeing the colour set.