Klein - Photographing the Female Form with Digital Infrared

About the Author

Laurie Klein is an award-winning fine art, commercial wedding and portrait photographer as well as educator. She is the author of Hand Coloring Black and White Photography. Her images have appeared in numerous national magazines. Laurie has a MFA in photography from Ohio University and a BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology. She studied with Ansel Adams. A gifted photo educator for over thirty years, Laurie teaches classes and workshops both nationally and internationally. Laurie Klein is recognized worldwide for her infrared photography shooting. Her work embodies a soft passionate style that most often depicts the feminine experience, relationships, and landscapes. For more information please visit Laurie at www.laurieklein.com.

Copyright 2014 by Laurie Klein.

All rights reserved.

All photographs by the author unless otherwise noted.

Published by:

Amherst Media, Inc.

P.O. Box 586

Buffalo, N.Y. 14226

Fax: 716-874-4508

www.AmherstMedia.com

Publisher: Craig Alesse

Senior Editor/Production Manager: Michelle Perkins

Associate Publisher: Kate Neaverth

Associate Editor: Barbara A. Lynch-Johnt

Associate Editor: Beth Alesse

Editor: Harvey Goldstein

Editorial Assistance from: Sally Jarzab, John S. Loder, Carey Miller

Business Manager: Adam Richards

Marketing, Sales, and Promotion Manager: Kate Neaverth

Warehouse and Fulfillment Manager: Roger Singo

ISBN-13: 978-1-60895-720-0

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013952533

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without prior written consent from the publisher.

Notice of Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the authors experience and opinions. The author and publisher will not be held liable for the use or misuse of the information in this book.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Have you ever seen it water that dances, shadows that hide, the winsome play of mottled light across a breast, a womans form revealed as a jewel in the ethos?

Have you ever experienced it that elusive moment when transcendence is achievedthe apogee of the feminine spirit as light and form combine to create something greater than the sum of its parts?

Have you ever wondered about it creativity that is? Where does it come from? Is it a gift or a burden? Laurie Klein from Brookfield, Connecticut was born to create, to give the world a new perspective. This seems to be an absolute truth. Her process is felt more than reckoned. It is a process that seeks to transcend this ordinary life of warm sunlight and cool water, of amorphous rocks and smooth sand, and of rough bark and soft willow. Lauries creative medium is nature, and she is omniscient with this medium.

Her nature is one of metaphor, a bubbling wellspring of life and renewal. Portraits of bodies in water, masked and shrouded figures, hidden warrens and shields of bark are not always what they seem. With Lauries eye they become representatives of other worlds or refuges for fairies or even goddesses empowered by the firmament.

Each of the photos engenders a rhapsodic, nearly synaptic connection with the subject.

On its simplest level Laurie has created a timeless book of astounding beauty. Each of the photos engenders a rhapsodic, nearly synaptic connection with the subject. When they dance, we dance. When they are transformed by water, so we are too. When they raise their arms to the heavens, our own arms lift effortlessly. There is purity in this bookpure intention, pure in spirit, pure in what is manifest. Have you felt it yet? You will.

Hal Tweedy

May 20, 2013

Subject

My model is an amazing, deeply sincere woman and a two-time breast-cancer survivor. This image was used in a magazine showcasing her story. She later told me how much she loved this photo because it clearly shows the emotional journey from weakness to strength that she has endured, revealing her vulnerability as she becomes more empowered. She also shared that this photo session helped her stand strong, feel powerful, and be proud of who she is and what she is learning on her lifes journey.

Setting

I chose water as the setting for this model because of its symbolism for renewal/rebirth/birth. The way she is holding herself is nurturing like one would nurture a child.

I loved working with her because she was not looking for a glamour photograph. She wanted the truth; an image that represents who she is at this moment in time while honoring the pain and feelings that went along with where she is today. I created a very safe environment for her, allowing her to sense her feelings while I was photographing her.

Camera and Lighting Conditions

This image was photographed at 5:30PM on a bright overcast summer day, which allowed for even, soft skin tones. The camera was positioned on the dock looking down at the model.

Additional images from the same session.

Composition

Photographing her from this angle produced foreshortening, creating a triangle with a dynamic, powerful face and shoulders against the negative space in the background. The ripples in the water mimic the ripples in her body. Balance, symmetry, line, shape, rhythm, negative space, cropping and texture all contribute to the haunting impact.

TECH SPECS > 38mm lens on my Canon EOS 20D, set at f/5.0 and second.

Subject

The model is a nature girl, an amazing florist and an environmental designer, which I wanted to represent in the photo session. I asked her to bring flowers and unusual props, preferably from nature. The last thing I thought she would bring was long thick vines that curved like a womans body. As soon as she brought them out of her car I knew what I wanted to do. I had her in the water and her boyfriend became my assistant, holding the vines together as much as he could; this was no easy feat. I asked my model to hold on and be calm while floating as close to the surface as possible. Boats were going by and a few times they swamped the vines and my model. I asked her to close her eyes, and in doing so she had to trust us that she wouldnt sink or be tossed off of the vine. I had her go to a serene, safe place in her mind and heart and have a content look and a slight smile on her face.