Guest FAUXtographer: Minh and Rochelle

Fashion photography is, in my opinion, one of the hardest photographic styles there is. There is so much involved when trying to capture a great fashion photo. You have the clothes, hair & makeup, lighting, styling, propping and on top of all that you have to deal with bitchy models. I used to be a photo retoucher at Ford Models in Los Angeles, so believe me when I say that most photographers in the fashion industry don't get it right.

However, I've had the pleasure of getting to know Minh, one half that makes up Mahal Style, a brilliant fashion photo team based out of San Diego. The reason why I want to feature them on my site (besides the shameful hope that if I do, they'll let me come play with them out in San Diego so I can learn more about fashion photography) is because I am IN LOVE with the way they style and edit their photos. Brilliance meets art meets fashion. I highly encourage you check out their stuff on flickr because seriously, it blows me away. That being said, here's a little more about this particular photograph (chosen exclusively for this blog!), from Minh and Rochelle:

"I chose this shot because it was done after most of my team has left the set at the end of a long day and all that was left was my beautiful model Kara and assistant Gabe and one flash light. The photo is technically simplistic yet I feel it has the kind of emotional draw I try to express in my photos."

Model: Kara Willingham


Hair and make up: Rochelle Huynh


Styling: Jennafer Grace


Clothing: M Dot Design Studio


Assistant: Gabrial King 


Lighting: Elinchrom Dlite 4 on Elinchrom 53" Midi-Octa behind and to model's left



je t'adore

je t'adore, originally uploaded by margotwood.

This weekend I flew back home to Cincinnati to take engagement photos for my best friend Allison. I have never taken engagement photos so this was going to be an adventure for both of us.

I have just started editing the photos and while most of them are pretty typical, every once in a while a photo like this pops up that gets me really excited. I don't know why I am attracted to this photo, I just know that I am.

I will be posting more photos from this shoot in the next couple of days. Your thoughts on my first photo are welcomed and appreciated!

Publishing Announcement!!!!

Please excuse my shameless self-promotion but I am so excited to announce that American University's famous literary journal FOLIO has finally been printed and it features some of my photography!

Here's a snapshot of what the mag will look like and I'll follow up with an image of the real thing (once I snag a copy). For all you writers out there, be sure to check out the mag and submit your stuff. It's a great launching pad for emerging writers! Details about the mag can be found here: http://www.american.edu/cas/literature/folio/index.cfm

Escape from Emerald City

Escape from Emerald City, originally uploaded by margotwood.

Where else can you find a green horse? I challenge you to find another green horse and post it in the comments thread!

Post Process: Slight cross processing; added light to the face; slight vignette; increased sharpness

Gotham City

Gotham City, originally uploaded by margotwood.

All this photo needs is a batmobile. Taken on 6th ave (facing North) in the Flatiron District in New York City. It was snowing quite a bit today so the lighting was nice and overcast. I had to take this fast because I was crossing the street and trying not to fall on my rear. Yes, that's right, I said rear.

Post Process: Cross processing; played around with the color balance; increased the blacks

Glassed Stain

Glassed Stain, originally uploaded by margotwood.

This photo was taken at Highline Park in the West Village, a relatively new park that is built on an old above ground train track.

I wasn't originally going to post this photo because I took the shot while I was walking. I didn't take any time in setting up the shot and probably spent less time playing with it in Photoshop. All it needed was a quick cross process and voila. I've been getting a good response from people on Flickr for this photo so I thought I'd share it with y'all.

Thoughts? Have you ever just taken a random shot without thinking about it and it turned out to be something cool? Sometimes I think most of my better photos happen by accident. Hence why I'm still faux.

Oh Face

Oh Face, originally uploaded by margotwood.

Took this at my office one morning. Thought I would try and see if I could make the little dudes "come alive".

For those that are interested to know, no external flash was used on this. Natural lighting only with some tweaks in the post production.

Family Portrait

Family Portrait, originally uploaded by margotwood.

Jason & the Scream mask modeled by Sean Willis and Corey Huntington. Available now at fine retailers.

Post Process: Oh man, so much was done to this photo. So many little things. Still not completely satisfied with it. Perhaps an alternate version will appear soon.

Oh Captain, My Captain

Oh Captain, My Captain, originally uploaded by margotwood.

My roommate is obsessed with Captain America, so this was my gift to him. Taken at some Comic book store in Midtown. Anyone else got a favorite superhero I should pay homage to? Let me know in the comments section.

Post Process: Cross Processing; slight blur; increased brightness.

T Minus Wha?

T Minus Wha?, originally uploaded by margotwood.

Looks like they are missing a "T". They can have mine, I don't use it.

This photo was taken while out on an excursion in the West Village. Any guesses as to what this was? Since I'm in the middle of my photographic slump, I don't think this is my finest work. But someone once told me that you have to wade through the mud to get to the good stuff. Just keep taking pics - eventually, you'll get you're groove back.

Post Process: Increased levels (to bring out the vivid colors); slight gaussian blur, slight vignette; slight unsharpen mask

The Grass Is Always Greener....

The Grass Is Always Greener...., originally uploaded by margotwood.

This photo holds a special place in my heart for 2 reasons:

1. My grandfather took this photograph in 1956 in Nagoya, Japan.
2. Of the three white children on the fence (facing away from the photographer), the one of the right is my mother.

While I did not take this photo, I did restore it. Before I restored it, it was dark, scratched and lacked decent lighting. I will try to post the original soon but thought you might enjoy this photo anyways. I am proud to say that I definitely inherited my photographic gene from my grandfather.

You Are On Camera

You Are On Camera, originally uploaded by margotwood.

Behind some ghetto building in East Walnut Hills. I found the message to be quite ironic. This photo was selected to be on the cover of American University's Folio Literary mag winter issue. Once I get a copy of the mag, I'll take some pics to show you!

Post Process: Cross Process

I've Been Diagnosed....With Photographer's Block

It's winter. There's barely any sunlight. It is negative one million degrees outside. I, my friends, am in the middle of my first photography "writer's block". I attribute this affliction to various causes:

• New job is demanding more attention and time.
• New York City's self-proclaimed "concrete jungle" isn't as inspiring as one would think
• Winter months lack quality lighting - I can't get out and snap a few pics after work anymore because its too dark.
• Lack of inspiration.

People have told me to just start browsing through other photographer's portfolios for inspiration, but I am firm believer in NEVER doing that. The problem with doing that for inspiration, is I end up just taking a photograph that is a modified version of what someone else did.

Yes, I am aware that most great photographs have already been thought up, but if I don't look at other people's work, I at least feel my own work is organic.

That being said, I am asking for your help. I need ideas people! I need inspiration!! So, if you're a fan of my work and have any thoughts for me or if you live in NYC and know of some good, non-concrete locales I can go to, please leave your comments here. I appreciate it.

Sesame Street Walker

Sesame Street Walker, originally uploaded by margotwood.

Elmo is busy working the streets.

Post Process: I've been told to stop telling you all what I do to each photo. It has been compared to a magician giving away his secrets.

What do you think? Do you like knowing what I do or would prefer it to remain a mystery?

[Because of the reponse, I'll give some more detail about this photo. I took this as a candid. I only took one shot of him as I was walking by because there were way too many people around (being right next to Rockefeller Center and all). In post process I just did some simple stuff, no cross processing. Just a little fixed exposure, increased levels and used unsharpen mask to to sharpen it up a bit and voila!]

Power Girl

Power Girl, originally uploaded by margotwood.

Taken at a comic book store in Midtown.

Post Process: Vignette, increased levels, omni slight yellow lighting.

Holiday Card Request

Hello my lovely readers. In the spirit of the season, I am going to be sending holiday cards to all of my readers who want one. This is my way of showing my appreciation for your continued support and acknowledgement that I totally rock (JK!). But seriously, thank you thank thank you!

If you'd like a holiday card from moi, please email me your name and address to margotwood@gmail.com.

Happy Holidays!

Eat Santa

Eat Santa, originally uploaded by margotwood.

Santa never tasted so good until Kinder made him just way a Santa should be: dark and delicious. Mmmm, break me off a piece of that.

Post Process: Cross process (I'm addicted to it, I need help) and that's it!

Ps- Those who live in New York, head on over to Economy Candy in the LES where this was taken.

I'm officially published!! (But don't worry, I'm still Faux)

Greeting ladies and germs, I would like to announce that I am officially published! That's right, there is one of my photographs in an actual, real book. Thanks to the Capture Cincinnati contest, 4 of my babies (aka photos) were selected to be printed in the 2009 book.

The book release party was held this past Wednesday and while I unfortunately couldn't make it to the party, I have some wonderful friends who snapped some pics of my pics in the book. Thanks to Adam Sutherland for taking the photos for me!

The four photos that were chosen are:

• Blues Tubes
• I Haven't Been Working On The Railroad
• One and Two and...
• Cha Ching!

Guest Fauxto: Jeremy Criswell

agfa1, originally uploaded by jay3737.

I just had to include this photo since it won the Arts, Culture & Food category for this years Capture Cincinnati contest! (Don't know what Capture Cincinnati is? It's okay, I'll explain in a later post).

Not only must I post this photo because of its supreme awesomeness, but I almost must post this photo because Jeremy is my Obi-Wan (or should I say Fauxbi-Wan?!? Haha!). Mr. Criswell was my photographic mentor while we worked together in Cincinnati and his photography style is nothing short of stellar.

He and his wife have an awesome photo gig going, seriously, if you live in Cincinnati and want your family portraits, senior photos, baby pictures (whatever!) taken I highly suggest using them. Tell them The Real Fauxtographer referred you and you'll get a 10% discount.

See more of Jeremy's work here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jay3737/show/

Head over to Gabi + Jeremy Photography: http://www.gabiandjeremyphoto.com/

The East Village is Dead!

The East Village is Dead!, originally uploaded by margotwood.

For those of you who were not aware, just wanted to formally let you know that the East Village is dead. Okay, it's not really dead- in fact it is very much alive. This is just another example of my obsession with graffiti & found typography.

Post Process: Increased colors + slight vignette at the bottom.