Camera and lighting settings used for the image above:-
ISO 100,  f11 @ 1/160th sec. Octagon softbox camera right, fill softbox cam left and behind model. Canon 5D.

I recently had the pleasure of shooting with “Samantha Alexis” who is the 2009 World Natural Bodybuilding Federations Asia Pacific Figure Champion.
The theme for this photoshoot was sexy sports and fitness.

We decided to play with the studio lighting to give emphasis to her body shape and form – using both light and shadow to emphasise her muscle tone.
Lighting used was -
Mainlight Octagon softbox camera right. Set to achieve f13 @1/160 sec ISO 100 – to ensure light didnt ‘spill ‘ onto the black background, and cause it to go ‘a mushy grey colour.
Second light was a Elinchrom Rotorlux softbox camera left and behind and at 45 degrees to the model to both rim light and provide fill.
Third light was a ‘snooted’ Vivitar HV285 strobe used as a hair light.
Camera – Canon 5D, with pocket whizzies to fire the lights.

Camera settings for the image above:-
ISO 200 1/160th sec f8  Canon 85mm f1.2L with 3 stop ND + Canon 5D MK2 camera. Single Softbox camera left. Elinchrom Ranger gear used.

We headed out to Darwin’s botanical garden’s to grab some images for the upcoming issue (June 2010) of Wish Dream Bridal magazine.
Beautiful Bre was our model, and we couldnt have picked a hotter day to do a location shoot!
After an hour at the hottest part of the day we threw in the towel, and decided to try again at sunset – using a beautiful location at Darwins “East point”.
I really love the images we captured from this shoot – the sunset was just magical, and the colours changed by the minute – from dreamy pastel’s to rich red and orange of a sunset over the ocean that you can only get in the fantastic Top End !

Lighting & setting’s used for the image below :-
Elinchrom Ranger mobile studio lights – one softbox – position camera left.
3 stop “ND filter” was used on a Canon 85mm f1.2L lens to ensure ‘camera/flash “sync” speed was less than 200th/sec.
Camera settings  = ISO125  f10 1/100thsec.
Camera, Canon 5D Mk2

‘Photography isn’t my only passion, – Ive also enjoyed a long & continuing career as a professional helicopter pilot flying extensively throughout wilderness areas of the Top end, Arnhem Land, The Kimberley, Timor, the Torres Strait, and now out to oil & gas platforms in the Timor sea.

‘I have been very fortunate to have experienced so much of the exceptional beauty of our amazing wild and remote places.’

‘Over the years I have also been very privileged to have had the opportunity to have flown (as a helicopter pilot) on many film job’s with outstanding professionals in both film and photography.

People such as Peter Jarver, Major Les Hiddins (The Bush Tucker Man), Wayne Zerby, Mark Lamble and Jeremy Hogarth – of the ABC’s Natural History unit.’

‘Its been fantastic to have had the opportunity to learn so much from these amazing people – they have both inspired me photographically, and taught me the ‘how’s, and why’s’, – and also instilled in me a desire to expand on my own photographic knowledge, – to continue to do this & to never stop learning.’

International merits for Mark’s helicopter film flying can be seen in the credits of several award winning International films such as: ‘The Big Wet’ – ABC Natural History Unit & Discovery Channel.