Nutcracker, 1987
Experimentation in photography can be tricky. Sometimes it can lead to a dead end. Then again, sometimes it can lead to some nice surprises. This was my third in a series of photographs for the cover of a local magazine. It was the perfect opportunity to try out my testing. The model was chosen and brought to my studio in Memphis' old historic Pinch District at night. We had to do the photograph at night, because I needed total darkness to accomplish the right effect.
In the end, I pushed 1000 speed film to 3200 ASA and exposed three exposures. I took the bird's eye view, which enabled me to use the beautiful warmth of the wood floor in my 1890's building for the background.
"Why do I experiment? Not only can it lead to some unexpected surprises, but as any ballerina will tell you, it keeps you "on your toes."
