Event: Deserts & Gold Dust Adventure 2023
Producer/ director: Damien Lovegrove
Photography: Damien Lovegrove
Models: Leontine Lablanche and Kate Ri
Co-director: Martin Hill
Styling and design: Damien Lovegrove
Additional styling: Leontine and Kate
BTS photography: Elvan Cetinel Walker, Don Harrington, Deborah McDevitt
Producer/ director: Damien Lovegrove
Photography: Damien Lovegrove
Models: Leontine Lablanche and Kate Ri
Co-director: Martin Hill
Styling and design: Damien Lovegrove
Additional styling: Leontine and Kate
BTS photography: Elvan Cetinel Walker, Don Harrington, Deborah McDevitt
Recce and planning assistant: Tim Sullivan
Event planning: Damien Lovegrove
Health and welfare coordinator: Martin Hill
Camera: Fujifilm GFX50s
Lenses: GF32-64mm f4, GF80mm f1.7, GF110mm f2
Tripod: Novo T200 with Benro GH30 head
Flash: Godox AD200 with EC200 remote head on a boom arm
Vehicles: 5 Ford Expeditions in convoy
Event planning: Damien Lovegrove
Health and welfare coordinator: Martin Hill
Camera: Fujifilm GFX50s
Lenses: GF32-64mm f4, GF80mm f1.7, GF110mm f2
Tripod: Novo T200 with Benro GH30 head
Flash: Godox AD200 with EC200 remote head on a boom arm
Vehicles: 5 Ford Expeditions in convoy
We rolled out of Vegas at 10am on a glorious day in May to embark on an adventure that would go on to enrich all of our lives. The memories and friendships that we forged are lifelong and the photographs we created are testament to the visual beauty that we encountered along the way.
The feedback for this adventure has been tremendous and we will run it one more time with a few tweaks. in 2024.
01. Our first location gave us a chance to bring the group together and get the shooting underway with a few simple set ups. This is Kate, a full time professional model that I flew in from Poland. I had shot with her before in Poland, Belgium and London and I knew she would be perfect for this adventure. Top: GF110mm at f/2 Bottom: GF32-64mm at f4.
02. The sun was high, the air was hot, the deserts of Nevada beckoned. Leontine flew in from Belgium for this adventure and fitted right into the shoot styles perfectly. I worked with Leontine in Belgium and Tuscany and I knew this was a great opportunity for her to show her versatility as a model. Both Leontine and Kate were perfect travelling companions. GF110mm lens at f2.
We had 12 photographers on the trip and three of their partners came along for the ride too. The shooting group was split into two groups of six and they swapped models and locations every 20 minutes or so. This gave everyone the chance to shoot each of the set ups that Martin and I had created. It’s a tried and tested formula that worked like clockwork.
03. “Everybody go: Hotel, motel, whatcha gonna do today…” Rappers Delight by the Sugarhill Gang.
I love to shoot with a less is more approach. Keep things simple. A shallow depth of field and contrast separation give this shot the pop it needs. What I always find surprising is the variety of shots that my clients shoot. The aim is not to just copy my work but to move around and explore the set up with a variety of angles and lenses. GF110mm lens at f2. The desert sun required an exposure of 1/4000th second at ISO 100.
I love to shoot with a less is more approach. Keep things simple. A shallow depth of field and contrast separation give this shot the pop it needs. What I always find surprising is the variety of shots that my clients shoot. The aim is not to just copy my work but to move around and explore the set up with a variety of angles and lenses. GF110mm lens at f2. The desert sun required an exposure of 1/4000th second at ISO 100.
04. Location two was desolate but dramatic. I took the group to a dried up lake bed that I know and we had some fun in the dust bowl. The dust was created by a Boeing C-17 Globemaster that took off just as we arrived. Top: Kate lit with the flash on a boom. Bottom left: You can see the AD200 flash rigged on the boom and fitted with a gridded 125mm reflector. Bottom right: Deborah’s BTS showing the dramatic cloud formation that greeted us when we arrived.
I shot this video on my iphone while leaning out of the car window. Martin, who drove the crew car throughout the trip was taking us to our shoot spot on the dried up lake.
05. The dust from the C17 hangs in the air. GF110mm at f2, 1/500th second at ISO 100.
We started day two at a fabulous rocky canyon. The US is full of hidden gems like this and it takes a recce visit to plan for the best time of day to be there.
06. I decided to shoot some western fashion. The hat came from Boot Barn in Vegas and it completes this look. The white suit is Leontine’s own. Top: GF 32-64mm at 50mm and f4 Bottom Right: GF32-64mm at 40mm and f4. BTS shot by Elvan.
07. Left: GF 32-64mm at 64mm and f4 Right: GF32-64mm at 64mm and f4.
08. We made a short drive up into the hills to an abandoned ore processing mill that I know. I added a puff of smoke from my Scotty ll battery operated smoke machine. GF 32-64mm at 36mm and f4. 1/125th second at ISO 320.
09. Top left: I used a simple composition and directed Kate to look down and tie her shirt. This set a reflective mood to the shot. GF80mm at f3.6 Top middle and right: I used the fabulous natural light that was rattling around the mill to shoot a series of beauty portraits. GF 80mm at f1.7 Bottom: I used a splash of flash from the AD200 with the gridded reflector for this shot of Leontine. GF32-64mm at f4.
10. My camera was set to a really flat jpeg setting and I increased the exposure until these shots were screaming then I knocked the exposure back a click. It gives a kind of bleach bypass look. GF 80mm at f1.7 Left: GF32-64mm at 32mm and f4. Right: GF32-64mm at 40mm and f5.6.
11. I thought this would make a great album cover shot. I fired off a series of cool expressions right through to full laughter and I’ve settled for this happy one for this blog post. Expect to see a few of the other ones popping up in books or galleries in due course. GF110mm at f2.
12. The theme of the trip soon turned to railways. I’m loving these wheels and the rendering the GF80mm lens gives the background. I was introduced to this lens by Tim, my travelling companion on the recce. I didn’t really want to like it because I was happy with my two lens set up of the GF32-64mm and the GF110mm at the time. I was won over by the extra environment or narrative that shots taken with the 80mm include over the 110mm lens. I’ve used the GF110mm lens for the past 6 years and I still love it but the GF80mm is now well established in my camera bag.
13. We pulled up to some old railway coaches to catch the last rays of sun before having a night on the town. Top left: GF32-64mm at 64mm. Bottom left and right: GF110mm at f2, 1/200th second at f2 and ISO 100.
14. The old engine shed at this railway museum has wonderful light so I arranged for us to be able to shot some portraits and we had the run of the place for a couple of hours. GF80mm at f1.7, 1/250th second using ISO 800.
15. The light from the engine shed windows was all I used for these portraits of Leontine. GF80mm at f1.7, 1/250th second using ISO 800.
16. I love the colours and grime on the walls of the engineering shed. GF80mm at f1.7, 1/250th second using ISO 800.
17. Once we had photographed the railway themed locations we climbed a mountain track almost to the snow line to visit an abandoned ore processing mill. BTS shots by Elvan.
18. The cedar shingles are fabulous on this building. Leontine is wearing a wig provided by Kate. Both the models were fabulous at interpreting the myriad of location types for this adventure. Thank you Kate, thank you Leontine.
19. I love this over the shoulder look from Leontine. I had to shoot through a window because the shack floor was riddled with nails. GF80mm at f1.7, 1/500th second, ISO 200.
20. I used a splash of flash from the AD200 on a boom to simulate sunlight coming through a hole in the roof. GF80mm at f1.7, 1/500th second, ISO 200.
21. I love the way the GF80mm lens renders the background of this portrait. Incidentally I used a tripod for all of the pictures in this blog post. GF80mm at f1.7, 1/125th second, ISO 125.
22. Just inside the door to this shack was a wall in faded powder blue painted wooden slats. The light was perfect and the scene was set. Notice how low I have the camera set. It is empowering for Leontine. GF80mm at f1.7, 1/250th second, ISO 250.
23. I set out to cover a wide range of genres on this adventure. Top: Kate is lit with hazy sunlight from behind. I love shooting into the light. I had to pick the shoot spot carefully as I’m keen to get the right depth in the picture. Kate wears a daisy top that I bought secondhand from Depop. GF110mm at f2, 1/500th second, ISO 100. Bottom: I set up a friends two shot sequence because it was a romantic spot in an otherwise desolate location. GF110mm at f2, 1/500th second, ISO 100.
24. It’s quite possible to shoot dynamic action portraits with the camera on a tripod as these shots show. We rehearse the action and I create the energy for the expression. Never forget to create the fun or set the mood of the shot. Nothing here is reportage. Everything is designed and created. Just like it was when I was shooting commercial portraits and fashion collections. GF110mm lens at f2, 1/1000th second and ISO 160.
25. This kind of portrait ticks all my boxes. Relaxed, beautiful and with intimate eye contact. I shot many thousands of portraits like this in my career as a wedding and portrait photographer and capturing these shots never fails to excite me. It all starts with a good rapport. I shot this from an unusually high viewpoint to force the sky out above Kate. This in turn has softened Kate’s look. The daisy shorts came from Boot Barn and match the top nicely. GF110mm lens at f2, 1/1000th second and ISO 200.
26. I had to go into town early one morning to get a puncture repaired and I came across this disused railway and mine workings. This made a great impromptu shoot location. I just used the sunlight to create this editorial portrait in the gravel by the tracks. GF32-64mm lens at 35mm, f4, 1/1000th second and ISO 100. BTS shot by Elvan.
27. This sequence worked well with a simple graphic element and shot against the out of focus hillside behind. GF110mm at f2, 1/3200th second and ISO 100.
28. Railway wagons like this water tanker make great backgrounds. Nevada is a rich source of abandoned industrial relics in unfenced areas. Top: GF110mm lens at f2, 1/3200th second and ISO 100. Bottom: GF110mm lens at f2, 1/500th second and ISO 100.
29. After our second railway location we moved onto White Tree Shack. A rather simple place but magical too. Nestled in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains this place feels quite unsettling with a feeling of being watched. GF110mm at f2, 1/4000th second at ISO 100.
30. When there is any significant movement or interaction I like to set my shutter to at least 1.500th of a second. This allows me to capture real moments that happen between poses. GF110mm lens at f2, 1/500th second and ISO 200.
31. This is the view from the back garden of White Tree Shack. Quite simply stunning. GF32-64mm at 64mm, 1/500th second using ISO 100.
32. I love lakes and we encountered two of them on our tour. This one is an absolutely beautiful location. Top right: GF32-64mm at 32mm and f/4, 1/500th second at ISO 100. Bottom: GF110mm lens at f3.2, 1/4000th second and ISO 100. BTS shot by Elvan.
33. The Sierra Nevada mountains make a fabulous backdrop to this shot. GF110mm lens at f2.5, 1/4000th second and ISO 125.
34. I’m in my element when we find a lovely engineering shed to shoot in with good natural light. GF110mm at f2, 1/500th second using ISO 1250. BTS shot by Elvan.
35. Remnants of the past are everywhere in the old mining towns. Once the gold yield dropped below 1 troy ounce per ton of ore most mines closed and the towns were left largely abandoned. Some effort is made to preserve the memory of the past but in general the ghost towns are collapsing and their whereabouts are becoming lost to the sands of time. GF110mm at f2, 1/250th second at ISO 320.
36. Left: Kate in an old explosives shed lit with available light. 32-64mm at 40mm and f4, 1/250th second using ISO 1000. Right: Kate under a mine railway gantry that crosses a ravine. GF32-64mm at 32mm and f4, 1/500th second using ISO 200.
37. We swung into the next town on our tour and it was time to bring out the orange dresses. I just used the sunlight for these shots of Kate. Left: I directed Kate to swish the dress and we all had a chance to capture a shot with a more dynamic look. GF32-64mm at 32mm and f4, 1/500th second and ISO 100. Right: GF110mm at f2, 1/2000th seconds and ISO 100.
38. There’s nothing quite like a bit of rusty corrugated iron. I’m pretty sure these sheets are too perfect so I think they must have been painted and distressed for a movie set. Right: GF80mm at f4, 1/800th second using ISO 400. I used f4 to get both girls in focus. BTS shot by Elvan.
39. What lies within. These cars have a story to tell for sure. Top and bottom left: GF80mm at f4.5, 1/1250th second at ISO 400. Bottom right: GF80mm f1.7, 1/2000th second at ISO 100.
40. Leontine loves her 1928 Ford Model T Coupe. I’m amazed the wooden spokes in the wheels have lasted so well. Top: A splash of flash from the AD200 on the boom arm was used here to add contrast to Leontine. You can see the shadows under her jaw and chin created by the flash lighting. GF32-64mm at 40mm and f8, 1/125th second and ISO 100. Bottom: The sun decided to make an appearance through some high level cloud giving it a low contrast effect so we shot the rest of the set at this location using the natural light. GF32-64mm at 42mm and f8, 1/125th second and ISO 100.
41. I can’t resist a frame within a frame. GF80mm f1.7, 1/1000th second at ISO 100.
42. Left: Yet another “Oldest Saloon in Nevada” but wow, what a place. Right: There’s a debate going on because a rattlesnake was seen slithering under the floor of this shack that we were about to shoot in. It’s hardly surprising to find a snake here as there isn’t much shade out in the desert. We chose not to shoot in the shack because we had a strong safety first culture on our trip. BTS shots by Elvan.
43. Top left: Getting stuck in sand or mud is par for the course on an adventure like this. We even had three flat tyres. Overcoming the challenges that we face makes the group stronger and gives us a better appreciation for the high points. Top right: Kate is experiencing a high point right now. Bottom left: Keep away from the edge. Bottom right: Tone, pattern and texture. GF80mm at f2.5, 1/4000th second at ISO 100. BTS shots by Elvan.
44. This simplicity of Kate’s dress is perfect in this location. The light is wonderful and by this point on our trip the photographers were understanding my love affair with crisp hard sunlight for portraiture. All shots: GF80mm f1.7, 1/4000th second and ISO 160.
45. Here is another example of the GF80s ability to combine a background that adds to the narrative of the shot with a decent amount of focus separation. The bokeh is calm and doesn’t become the subject and the close proximity of the camera to Kate delivers a degree of intimacy. GF80mm f1.7, 1/4000th second and ISO 100.
46. Our route up to one of the gold mines that we were due to visit was blocked so I came up with a standby location for us to shoot this fantasy set of shots at. This is just one of the advantages of doing extensive planning and a recce. Left shots: GF32-64mm at 64mm and f4, 1/250th second using ISO 320. Right: GF32-64mm at 64mm and f4, 1/250th second using ISO 1000.
47. We were out on the desert sand dunes just after sunrise and had to walk for about 30 minutes before we got sand that was fairly free of footprints. These boho outfits belonging to the models were perfect for the desert. GF110mm, 1/500th second and ISO 100.
48. Top left and right: I usually like to keep the sky out of my pictures but in this instance I ditched the tripod and got the camera almost down to sand level. GF110mm at f2, 1/500th second and ISO 100. Bottom left BTS by Elvan. Bottom right BTS by Damien.
49. Top and bottom left: I love the racer back on this goddess dress that I bought in Marrakesh a few years ago. GF110mm f2, 1/1000th second using ISO 100. Bottom right: Kate wears a dress that I bought from an online store in the UK called Nasty Girl. I’m not sure that the brand should survive with a name like that. GF110mm f2, 1/1000th second using ISO 100.
50. This epic shot brings together so many elements of my photography and is one of my favourites of this set. In analytical terms this shot has the following properties; A strong base with a pyramid structure. A bright horizon with low contrast to emphasise depth. A rim lit subject that is set against a darker background. Poise and elegance on pointe. A dynamic movement of the dress and overall it looks lovely. GF110mm f2, 1/1000th second and ISO 100.
51. To bring both of the girls together as the sun was going down was a great move. Kate and Leontine complimented each other for the whole trip and their connection shows in this magical moment. GF110mm f3.2, 1/1000th second using ISO 100.
52. I totally love this rock painting. Super shadows depicting a beautiful moment at the end of our tour. GF110mm at f3.5, 1/4000th second at ISO 160
53. Could this be you? I’m going to run this adventure one more time. The shots that you see in this post are half the set ups the group shot because my co tutor Martin created the other half. Judging by the shots I’m seeing from the photographers social media posts, Martin’s set ups are equally magical. If you would like to be kept informed of next year’s road trip through Nevada and California be sure to join my newsletter list or email me here.
The behind the scenes video was shot on the 2023 tour using a GoPro hero 8 camera and features our models Leontine and Kate. It was shot by myself and Martin Hill. The pay off is by my co tutor Martin Hill.
The feedback for this adventure has been tremendous and we will run it one more time with a few tweaks. in 2024.
I can honestly say from the first e-mail through to the last goodbyes, this was a sensational once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The organisation and logistics were amazing and it exceeded my own expectations with regards to locations etc.
Damien and Martin are a great team and the trip was very fluid due to their planning and teamwork.
A great model choice! These girls have great qualities and needed very little input from us photographers.
It was also wonderful to meet like-minded photographers from different countries and I personally felt we just ‘clicked ‘ as a group.
I am extremely happy with my images enhanced by the great locations and models.
I highly recommend this adventure to others as you will come away smiling and enriched.
Thanks, Damien and Martin once again.
Hi Gary,
Wow! Thank you for your lovely words. It is heartening to know that the micro-planning is appreciated. I really enjoyed your company and help when we needed it most. Coming together as a group is quite a rewarding experience and I know lifelong friendships have been formed.
Thanks again,
Damien
Worth reading every bit Damien,fabulous images…
Hoping to join soon on your coming photographic extravaganza.
Thank you Sunil, I look forward to meeting you on one of my two workshops/ adventures in 2024 :)
Best wishes, Damien
Great photographs once again Damien. The light seemed to be quite harsh for the most part, which makes it very difficult to work although you made the best on the day. The models were terrific. My favourite is the the B+W of both the models sat close together, there’s inspiration in that one! Overall I think I prefer your Tuscany shoot though where the light just had the additional magic that somehow doesn’t come through in this collection.
Thanks for your comments, Paul. The Italian shots are far slower to shoot as each one is a finely lit image. This was an adventure through the deserts and perhaps overall this was more fun. It was certainly life-enhancing for all in a way that the controlled environment of being in one location in Italy can’t quite match. This set is more natural for sure and I love having the opportunity to shoot both genres.
Best regards,
Damien
Trip truly surpassed my expectations. What a wild adventure. Took some of the best photos of my lifetime with the group. Learned a lot from Damien setting up the shots and talking about the light, etc. I love the pictures I got on this trip that now display in our studio on Samsung “the frame” tvs. Just stunning. Thanks Damien, and all the fine people I adventured with.
Hi Brad,
Thank you for trusting in me. Deserts and abandoned shacks is kind of a hard sell but the images deliver. It was great having you along for the adventure. Enjoy your photos.
Damien.
The special appeal of the 80mm lens is immediate. Beautiful images throughout. Thank you for sharing them with us!
Hi Richard, thank you for your kind words. Damien
Oh my!! How I wish I could join some day! The photos are amazing, and I wish I could learn!
Hi Anette, Let’s go back there next year. It’s never too late to fulfil your dreams. Thank you for the compliments. Hugs, Damien.
Absolutely stunning images, again.
I hope you someday make a coffeetable book. That would be amazing
Hi Michel,
Thanks for the compliments. The last coffee table book I made was called Chloe Jasmine Whichello. Now out of print, unfortunately. I’ll make more for sure.
Cheers, Damien.
Amazing images. Truly inspiring to see and also read how you took the pictures, with what kind of artistic or pragmatic concerns. It is really clear you had a great time!
Thank you, Marc. Is such a privilege to have my life work be my hobby. For 40 years I’ve been making pictures and I love it now more than ever.Cheers, Damien.
Thanks for sharing these great portraits!
Thank you Yves :)
Amazing photo tour!
Thank you, Peter, It was epic. A life highlight for sure :)
Damien in my opinion There’s nothing like Fuji files they are pure magic. I currently shoot with both the Fuji GFX 100 S and the Nikon Z9. What you capture with Fuji
camera and lenses are absolutely beautiful.
Thanks Henry,
I love the 50mp files from the old 50s. I’ve tried the 100 and the 100s but there’s something about the 50s that I love. Thank you for the compliments, Damien.
I agree! Even compared to the 50 S II…. I would have love to have a been a part of that tour just to see the plane! Great capture on video!!!
Hi Michael,
Thank you. Damien.
OMG – So good!
Thank you Keith :)
Wonderful images Damien, looks like an epic adventure!
Thank you Dave for the compliments :)