Guestblog Morgana Creely

While we’re in Vegas you will sometimes be “entertained” by guestbloggers 😀
Today it’s time for Morgana Creely.

My passion for photography is all about creating images that tell stories. Creating an image that could be a single frame from a film, encouraging the viewer to wonder what went on before or indeed after. Creating these kinds of images can be a little intimidating when you first start out. But you donít need endless resources, exotic locations, or a Hollywood budget. You just need imagination, a little perseverance, and occasionally a handy friend. There are several ways you can approach your image story: start with a location, a subject [or model], or an idea. I know this order might seem a little backwards ñ why not start with the idea? If you have a very strong idea to start with, definitely run with it; but sometimes the ideas will come when you consider other elements.

 If you’re starting with a location think about what stories could be set in that location? This is definitely an idea that came from the location. This room has fabulous wooden shutters/blinds on the windows which controls the light. I immediately thought of someone sitting alone in a seedy motel down a forgotten highway. Thinking of what could have been and what would never be. Thinking about what I wanted the story to look like, the unmade bed, minimal props and modelís positioning and expression really add to the story.

To create the shadows I positioned a single unmodified Canon 580EXII Speedlight on a portable light stand outside the window. The Speedlight was set to full power and directly facing the window.

If you’re starting with the subject, what stories do they suggestion? What scenarios could you seen them in?

This image, inspired by the gorgeous subject, was not originally part of the shoot. But as soon as I saw the model in this outfit I immediately thought of her indulging in a little late night TV on the sofa. The outfit is from the modelís own wardrobe. The lighting is a single soft box very low to the ground to give the glow from the television. A few cushion and a large wooden status are added to dress the set to give it a little more of a homely feel.

Sometime simple sets and lighting are the best.

If you’re starting with an idea, what does it look like? What are the important elements?
This image is definitely all about the concept or idea. The location and even the model are important elements but secondary to the idea. The “drugs” are a combination tablets and medication available over the counter at the local pharmacist, the old blood-pressure machine was one we had in the cupboard. The tricky thing here was that some of the tablets were branded on one side, so I had to make sure that these were all face down so the brand could not been seen. The model is lit by a single strip light off to camera right. I was up a ladder to capture this image as I really wanted to capture the way the medication was spread out of the table. Presenting the image in black and white removes any distraction of colour.

Overall, these stories were created using clothing and props that could be easily sourced locally, online or where common household items. [The large statue in image two is the exception, but this could easily have been replaced with a lamp or other item]. It would be great to be able to build a set from scratch but when we don’t have that luxury the next step is to use what we have. Sometimes these ìlimitationsî help you to create great images that you might have missed if youíd had unlimited resources.

It really is a case of not what you have, but what you do with it.

Links:
Website: www.morganacreely.com
Blog: http://mcreely.blogspot.com/
Workshops: www.imagesthattellstories.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MorganaCreely