Vernon Trent – 10 Questions

This kind of style has been improved more and more and I have been told that I’m utilizing shadows and light in such a way, that people feel seeing so much more of the subject, than as they were standing right before it.

2. AN – What was your first camera, and what cameras and lenses do you use now? And how do you decide what camera you are going to use for a particular shoot?

VT - My first camera was a Rollei 35, a solid piece of craftsmanship with an “eagle eye” sharp lens and very easy to use. I still have this camera and use it from time to time. Over the past years my photographic equipment has grown a bit and my “collection” includes some medium format film cameras such as Pouva, Lomo, Kiev and Hasselblad as well as a digital camera like the Canon 40d. The lenses I mainly use are prime lenses at a standard focal length. 50/80mm and 135mm are the most used lenses in my shootings. The choice of the camera and lens is depending of my projects and of course, if the results need to be printed or just for internet use. Since almost 4 years I shoot preferably digital but I still use film, especially for fine art and limited edition projects.

3. AN - Before a shoot, what do you do to prepare? Do you envision the photograph before you begin? Or do you see something in your work after the shoot that forms how you ultimately present it?

VT - Most of my projects are prepared a bit, that means that I know how the end result should look like and which model could be the candidate for my project. The photographs are already in my mind when we start shooting. But it happens very often that we start to derive the project a bit, as a result of the collaboration work between the model and me. It has to do with the “connection” and the way the model brings her/his work into the project. The way I present my work is something that I decide when everything is done but sometimes I go the other way around, I have a presentation idea and take the shots accordingly to that what I need. That’s the freedom of an artist to decide whatever he needs to, to achieve his visions… I love that!

 

Candace Nirvana

 

I enjoy presenting my style of nude photography and the exhibitions are well visited and the feedback is good and constructive. I also don’t see any reason why I should change my style just to join the crowd and be like the others… that wouldn’t be me. For that I only can say, I stay honest with me, I develop and improve my own style and will “smash” my images to someone’s head until he loves them *grin*.

 

Kat Love

 

 

 

As a final conclusion, the best way to enjoy my work is to visit an exhibition and get impressed by the look and feel and the impact of my large size imagery. Some of them are really huge. (e.g. 6×4 ft.)

 

Madame Bink

 

8.  AN - How do you decide how much money to charge for your work? It is not inexpensive to create fine art nude photography.

VT - It depends of how much work went into it, of the size or open/limited edition. Also the materials which have been used to create the image play a big role. It starts with normal photographic paper, barite, fine art paper, aluminum plates or acrylic compound. It also depends on where the images are displayed. Some galleries really want to have the last word on that.

9. AN - Models are such an important part of our photography, what do you do to include them in the process?

VT - When a project is in my mind, I usually look thru model directories or contact personal known models to discuss the project with them. I want to make sure that she/he knows about the requirements for my idea and give the model some time to identify with the project.

Sometimes we do kind of “get in touch” shooting, to find out if there is a way we can connect, if the chemistry is right between us. In most of the cases this kind of “get-in-touch” works very well and we always look forward for the next meeting/shooting to improve the collaboration and create art.

10. AN – And lastly, what advice would you give to someone who might be starting to work in our genre?

VT –         Be proficient in the basics of photography, the game between shutter speed and aperture, composition, perspective and photometric rules.

Don’t be shy to ask if you have questions. If you don’t ask, you’ll never get answers; even it’s a “No”.

Be able to learn and to improve your skills. It is one of the most important things. Photography is such a complex process, it has to do with the ability to see, the imagination power to build images in mind and “transport” them on film/chip.

Be honest to yourself and follow you path, your vision.

Respect the models; they are also humans like you. Give them the same respect like you want to get from them.

Keep shooting and let the world know what you are doing.

 

Xaina

You can see more of Vernon Trent’s photography here.