Martina Bellacima in Tuscany ~ NSFW

Oct 19, 2018 | Continuous Lighting, Flash, GFX, Location, Travel | 8 comments

I first shot with Martina in some of these locations near Pienza in 2017. We had found two of these fabulous locations to shoot in then and this time we had one more gem.  I come across more abandoned buildings to use as shoot locations with each trip to Tuscany that I make. Here are 37 predominantly not safe for work portraits of Martina in her native Italy.

The shoot: 1:1 training session with a top client
Location: Various abandoned farm buildings near Pienza, Tuscany
Model: Martina Bellacima from Italy
Lighting: Available light, Lupo Superpanel and Godox AD600
Camera: Fujifilm GFX50s with 32-64mm and 110mm lenses
Info: The 2019 tour of Tuscany details are here. This workshop features Martina Bellacima and two other models.

Martina Bellacima in Tuscany

01. I love this stable. It’s a great location to shoot. Martina and I have shot here a couple of times now and we both love the tones and textures of this farmhouse.

 

02. I found the basket and placed some straw in the food troughs. I directed Martina’s face position to make the most of the window light. The shadow under her cheekbone and her crisp strong jaw line are my lighting goals here.

 

03. Moving closer to the window increased the contrast sufficiently to capture this bodyscape.

 

04. This location is hundreds of years old and the textures are wonderful. I bought the hat from a market trader in Rimini several years ago.

 

05. We spent an hour or so in this farmhouse and it would make the perfect shoot location whatever the weather.

 

06. Upstairs seemed like a good location for a tutu shoot. I took the Lupo Superpanel with it’s battery up to give me some contrast to play with.

 

07. The distant hill is beside Montalcino, the home of the Brunello wine.

 

08. Radiant beauty. I love the simple plait that Martina put into her hair. I like to keep the beauty shoots like this one simple and intimate.

 

09. I love monochrome for it’s simplification of the subject.

 

10. I found the wine flask and bottle downstairs in a junk room. I’d have preferred brown glass but I’ll settle for the wonderful shape and dust. I was careful not to wipe the dust when I transported it into position. The two point lighting on the right is a factor of careful subject placement between the two windows in the room.

 

11. The bed was in another room and the blanket came from Martina’s car.

 

12. Nothing quite prepares you for the colour pallet of Tuscany. The ochre is in every rock, every timber, every skin tone.

 

13. This trio of shots spoke to me in a graphic way unlike the rest of the set. I just let the shadows go and kept the shots simple. I had switched my camera to monochrome by this point and we were in the zone.

 

14. The green made a pleasant surprise and had to be included in the shots. It’s a sort of verdigris green that was so popular in the UK in 1996.

 

15.

 

16. Most of the shoot I was directing Martina, who speaks no English. It was handy that I direct with a kind of mirror posing. Martina’s friend joined us too and he helped with the translation when the going got tough. These shots were free rein for Martina. I asked her to create some shapes. Martina is a ‘nude art model’ and has many years experience to call upon.

 

17. This red dress came with me everywhere in Tuscany and I loved it in the swimming pool of our villa on Terez and I loved it here in a ploughed field.

That’s it for Tuscany this year. I’ll be back in Tuscany in September 2019 with a new group of photographers staying once again at our fabulous villa near Volterra. The photography is wonderful, the cuisine and wine too. Click here for all the information, dates and prices.

8 Comments

  1. Rob

    Outstanding simple light portraiture as ever – number 12 has stunning impact, almost a modern day equivalent to a master Renaissance Painting of yesteryear.

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Rob,

      Thank you for your kind words. I will get the joy of printing these files this winter and I’ll pay special attention to the colours of the renaissance painters. The patina of time played it’s part too.

      Kindest regards,

      Damien.

      Reply
  2. Michael Thornton

    Hi Damien,
    Thank you for your response re Model Releases, I understand now how you organise the usage of the photographers pics.
    I am surprised you have not been asked this before.
    In my instance, I shoot stock photos for various agencies and they all insist on Model Releases before they will accept images for anything other than editorial use.
    Being a professional photographer, I am sure you understand that we have to ensure our incoming revenue exceeds our expenses..
    In the current climate, stock photography is not as lucrative as it once was, editorial usage is a poor subsitute for Rights Managed images with full Model Releases.
    If you wish to discuss this any further, drop me an email and I will supply my telephone number.

    Kindest regards,
    Michael

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Michael,

      Thanks for your reply. I shoot stock as well but these shoots are not for stock. This is personal work for the photographers concerned. I used to teach professional photographers but now I focus on passionate hobbyists who want an amazing experience with top notch shoots in fab locations and lots of fun along the way. I’ll drop you an email for sure as I’m intrigued where there might be a market for such photographs. My back catalogue is bulging and my location database is extensive for commercial use shoots ;)

      Kindest regards,

      Damien

      Reply
  3. Paul Harrison

    A stunning collection. Amazing work. Oh for the chance to shoot there. (sighs)

    Reply
    • Damien

      Thank you Paul,

      The colours, tones and light put’s this area on a par with Trinidad for sure. It’s a bit nearer too :)

      Kindest regards,

      Damien

      Reply
  4. Michael Thornton

    Love your Tuscany barn shots, are signed model releases included in the price of your next Tuscany trip

    Reply
    • Damien

      Hi Michael,

      Thank you for your compliments. I’ve never supplied model release forms from workshops as the pictures are non commercial but I am happy to discuss usage rites. The agreement I have with the models and the basis of engagement is that photographers can use the pictures for self promotion, on their websites, in social media etc. Occasionally I’ve taken a shot that has made a front cover and in those instances I’ve shared any revenues with the model. If you have other needs for model releases then I’m happy to discuss these and pitch them to the models etc. We have a relaxed, fun, professional working relationship so anything is probably possible. I know most competitions don’t allow submissions from workshops so this may be a consideration.

      I’m sorry to be vague but I’ve honestly never been asked this before. Maybe it’s something we should implement. Can we message you to discuss? I have to ask for GDPR reasons.

      Kindest regards,

      Damien

      Reply

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