The Rockabilly Lifestyle » Pinup Modeling

Bunny Yeager – Pinup Photographer

Darkman — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:18:56 +0000

Article by Mike at Glamour Photographers

For most people, Bunny Yeager is best known for her photography work involving Bettie Page. Bunny has many tasteful collections of many other models she’s photographed, but most don’t know she started herself as a model for US Camera and it wasn’t long before she decided to go on the other side of the lens.

In 1956, Hollywood glamour photographer Danny Rouzer had written this regarding Miss Yeager: “One of the finest pin-up photographers is Bunny Yeager, who is highly successful because she knows exactly what the procedure is for profitable pin-up work. A former model herself, she makes her own bikinis and pin-up costumes, but she gives her models the opportunity to select a costume that doesn’t conflict with their personalities. Bunny is a pin-up photographer who goes so far as to create something new in the way of costumes for every girl she photographs.”

I assume this kind of high compliment coming from a fellow glamour photographer would not be that impressive, apart from the reality that merely 4 years previous, Bunny Yeager had been a glamour model with very little practical experience behind the camera. She had only just recently begun taking a photography class right after watching a friend develop and print the pictures he’d taken of her. She was fascinated with the entire process, and wanted to learn, partially since it was relevant to her own work as a model. When Roy Pinney, a photographer she’d worked with the year before, learned that she was taking the class, he recognized it would make for a great photo write-up which he could submit to a magazine. The resulting article, featuring Bunny shooting a model on the beach, came out in a magazine supplement to a large number of nationwide and local newspapers, and she became famous over night. A similar write-up came out in U.S. Camera in Aug. 1953, in which she was announced “The World’s Prettiest Photographer”. Soon, she was receiving offers from several agencies, and after selecting one, sold her very first photo to Eye magazine, for their March 1954 issue. Her first photograph sale as well as her first magazine cover being a real pin-up photographer!

In an incredibly short time, Bunny had perfected the technical elements of photography, lighting, and had quickly obtained the professional photographic equipment she’d need. 1954 also was the year in which Bunny met Bettie Page, and the photographs they produced collectively were destined to become legendary glamour images. That same year, she took pictures of a Christmas themed pin-up of her new model, intending to submit it to a calendar company. Not knowing where to find one, she chose to send it to Playboy instead. Hugh Hefner immediately grabbed it up and released it in the January 1955 Holiday issue. In under 2 years after being thrust into the position of a glamour photographer, Bunny had photographed her first Playmate of the Month, where there were more to come:

Lisa Winters (Miss Dec. 1956)

Myrna Weber (Miss Aug. 1958)

Joyce Nizarri (Miss Dec. 1958)

Cindy Fuller (Miss May 1959)

Sandra Settani (Miss April 1963)

Bunny’s fast achievements might have been partly as a result of her previously being a model first. She undoubtedly knew posing and the ways to get the best from her models, but regardless of being hesitantly pushed into the job of photographer, she also had a great artistic eye and sense of style. She was obviously a born photographer if ever there was one. Actually, in Rogue magazine she was quoted as stating “I took up photography because I’m a frustrated painter who was never good enough to be the best, and photography is the closest thing to being an artist”. You can only hope if she had not been prodded by Roy Pinney, she’d have realized this goal on her own. When Bunny was initially starting out, two of her big influences were Andre de Dienes and Peter Gowland. Bunny, nevertheless, had launched a style like no other. With the sunny beaches of Miami among her backdrops, she uncovered and captured images of among the most gorgeous models in south Florida. She famously approached one young woman who’d turn out to be her second Playmate, Lisa Winters, on a Miami bus, and after a little coaxing, persuaded her to pose. Miss Winters turned out to be among the list of favorites with the readers with the then three year old Playboy magazine, as well as one of Hef’s as well.

One of the numerous photographic skills that Bunny had at her fingertips was the cabability to get the proper backdrops for her glamour photos. She’d often get approval to photograph in glamorous bachelor residences, and even utilized the model’s own apartments, whenever she believed they had the appropriate style. Constantly in search of new and interesting backdrops, she got permission occasionally to use the home of well-known Miami sculptor Sepy Debronyi and created some extremely eye catching photographs there.

Right after being prompted by her agent, Bunny authored the first of her numerous photography books in 1957 (Photographing the Female Figure). This became not just a showcase for her glamour photos, but also an informative tome for all those thinking about pursuing a similar career. Additional books followed, including:

Bunny Yeager’s Photo Studies (1960)

Bunny Yeager’s Art of Glamour Photography (1962)

How to Take Figure Photos (1962)

How I photograph Nudes (1963)

How to Photograph the Figure (1963)

How I Photograph Myself (1964)

Bunny Yeager’s ABCs of Figure Photography (1964)

Bunny Yeager Photographs Famous Models (1965)

100 Girls (1965)

Bunny Yeager’s Camera in the Caribbean (1965)

Bunny Yeager’s New Photo Studies (1966)

Bunny Yeager Photographs 50 New Models (1967)

Bunny Yeager’s Camera in Mexico (1967)

Bunny Yeager’s Camera in Jamaica (1967)

Bunny’s Honey’s (1996)

Bunny Yeager’s Pin-up Girls of the 1950s (2002)

Photographing Girls in Jamaica (2003)

Bunny Yeager’s Bikini Girls of the 1950s (2004)

Striptease Artists of the 1950s (2007)

Bunny Yeager’s Pin-up Girls of the 1960s (2007)

Bikini Girls of the 1960s (2007)

Bunny Yeager’s Flirts of the Fifties (2007)

Femmes Fatales of the 1950s (2008)

Bunny Yeager’s Bouffant Beauties (2009)

Bunny had been the topic of two semi-documentary films by Barry Mahon entitled Bunny Yeager’s Nude Camera (1963) and Bunny Yeager’s Nude Las Vegas (1964). Even though films are in no way a true portrayal of her photography because of the setups and lighting being controlled by producer/director/cameraman Barry Mahon (who seemingly had very little understanding of motion picture or still photography lighting), it’s still a pleasure to be able to watch Bunny work together with a few of her models, which includes an uncredited Lisa Winters in Nude Camera.

As the title of one of her books in the above list indicates (How I Photograph Myself), Bunny frequently merged her talents and took glamour photographs of herself, as well as her lovely models. It was this particular book that got the interest of the producers of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and she was asked to appear on the program as a guest in the mid 1960s.

Camera gear used by Bunny in those years included her Rolleiflex (with the Zeiss Tessar 75mm f/3.5 lens), a 4×5 Speed Graphic, and her Burke and James 8×10 camera which she used to shoot her Playboy centerfolds. For b&w medium format (her Rolleiflex), she used quite a lot of Tri-X and for medium and large format color, It looks like she used Ektachrome transparency film.

Apart from her work with Playboy, Bunny’s photos were presented in numerous other men’s magazines for the day. One of the higher quality magazines that frequently used her work had been Rogue.

Bunny Yeager

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Pinup and Rockabilly Makeup Book for Vintage Makeup Styling

Darkman — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:43:44 +0000

Pinup and Rockabilly Makeup Book for Vintage Makeup Styling

Lauren Rennells author of Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques, has put out a NEW book on Vintage Makeup Techniques called Retro Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look.

Each book complimenting the other both are great addition and starting places to any pinup or rockabilly hairstylist and makeup artist. Step by step tips and techniques for the everyday user, with lot’s of pictures to illustrate each step.

Retro Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look

Retro Makeup: Techniques for applying the Vintage Look is a history and application guide for vintage cosmetic styles. It is a companion book to Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques. It starts with a brief history on the acceptance of makeup at the beginning of the 20th century and continues to explain in detail the styles, colors and techniques for applying makeup to look like the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Included in each decade are step-by-step directions on full makeup styles inspired by famous women such as Josephine Baker in the 1920s, Jean Harlow in the 1930s, Rita Hayworth in the 1940s, Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s, and Twiggy in the 1960s. The book also includes factual information about what defined the makeup looks of the decades based on popular culture of the time.

About the Author

Hair and makeup artist Lauren Rennells works in the photography and film industry. She freelances providing unique designs for advertisements, films, television and private clients. Her passion for beauty of the past led her to write Retro Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look and Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques.

Available at Amazon for $24

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Workshops To Learn Rockabilly Hairstyling

Darkman — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 20:45:26 +0000

Workshops To Learn Rockabilly Hairstyling

Unless you have a mother who lived through the days of the 1940’s and 1950’s, you are going to have to learn your rockabilly and pin-up hairstyling from books, photo’s, videos and in some areas there are workshops to learn rockabilly hairstyling.

There are also hairstylists who teach these types of rockabilly and pin-up hairstyles in some select salons, but finding where they are is sometimes hard. We have compiled a list of places to find workshops to learn rockabilly and pin-up hairstyling.

USA:

Mitzi’s & Co’s Pin Up Beauty Academy(@Viva Las Vegas):

Workshops in Hairstyling, Make-up, Glamour Make-up, Male Styling

Beginner and Intermediate Workshops

–

Bettina May(Pin-up Classes):

Workshops in Pinup, Hair and Make-up.

Brooklyn Feb 6
NYC Feb 10
NYC Feb 11
Poconos Feb 26
New Jersey Mar 20
Salem, OR Mar 27
Seattle, WA Apr 2
Memphis, TN May 22
Louisville, KY May 28

–

Australia:

Boogie Bop Dames

–

UK:

Burlesque on the Beach: Vintage pin-up hair workshop

–

Vintage Meetup Groups Across The World:

http://vintage.meetup.com

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Geraldine Hoff Doyle, AKA Rosie the Riveter, has died at 86.

Darkman — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 22:06:26 +0000

Geraldine Hoff Doyle, Rosie the Riveter

Geraldine Hoff Doyle, the inspiration for “Rosie the Riveter,” died on Sunday at the age of 86 due to complications from arthritis, the Washington Post reports.

Rosie’s story began in the 1940s, when a photographer snapped Geraldine Hoff Doyle’s photograph in an Ann Arbor manufacturing plant during World War II, the 17-year-old had no clue she’d inspire many others to contribute to the nation’s war effort.

Ms. Doyle said it took over 40 years for her to find out that her picture from that photograph had been used on the illustrated “We Can Do It!” poster urging women to take on jobs typically held by the men fighting battles in Europe and the Pacific.

Ms. Doyle died Sunday in Lansing at age 86. A memorial service is set for Jan. 8.

“She was definitely one of the Rosies,” said Sandy Soifer, executive director of the Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame, in making reference to the fictional “Rosie the Riveter.” Which was the name given to women employed in plants during WWII.

The picture of the headscarf-wearing woman with the flexed bicep underneath a rolled-up shirt sleeve helped prompt lots of daughters, sisters and mothers to trade in the tools of household chores for those of production and take jobs in plants across Michigan and the country.

“It’s our belief that she is the actual model for the illustration that’s most often used in the posters and on the products,” added Soifer.

Ms. Doyle told the Lansing State Journal in 2002 that she had no idea the illustrated face on the poster commissioned by the U.S. War Production Coordinating Committee was her own until 1984, when she saw a reproduction of it in a magazine.

The forgotten photograph was taken in 1942 at a metal pressing plant about 33 miles southwest of Detroit.

“There were other Rosies. She said she was the model for that poster,” said Gladys Beckwith, former director of the Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame.

Geraldine Hoff Doyle, aka Rosie the Riveter

The poster was “symbolic of an active woman who was taking an active part in the war effort, and it was empowering for a woman to see that,” Beckwith said.

“Rosie the Riveter” was the title of a popular 1940s song. Like the woman in the “We Can Do It!” poster, a woman holding a rivet gun in a Norman Rockwell painting was called “Rosie the Riveter.”

Doyle quit after just one week at the factory where her picture was made famous. “She later married a dentist and raised a family in Lansing, Mich.

Mrs. Doyle was unaware of the poster’s existence until 1982, when, while thumbing through a magazine, she saw a photograph of it and recognized herself. Her daughter said that the face on the poster was her mother’s, but that the muscles were not.

“She didn’t have big, muscular arms,” [her daughter Stephanie] Gregg said. “She was 5-foot-10 and very slender. She was a glamour girl. The arched eyebrows, the beautiful lips, the shape of the face — that’s her.”

Doyle is survived by five children, 18 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Geraldine Hoff Dotle, Rosie The Riveter

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The Pretty Things Peepshow & Vintage Vaudeville Extravaganza

Darkman — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 16:45:59 +0000

The Pretty Things Peepshow & Vintage Vaudeville Extravaganza is on their 6^th national tour bringing you their biggest and best show yet. These sensational seductresses will give you a peek into the past to a time where beautiful babes and dangerous dames performed acts that are both stunning and strange.

Prepare to have your heart broken and your mind blown when you see them perform classic burlesque, comedy, sword swallowing, human blockhead, whip cracking, animal traps, electric chair, glass walking, straightjacket escape, The Chinese Execution Blade Box and more!

The exceptional cast includes Go-Go Amy; The Gypsy Burlesque Starlet, Miss Heather Holliday; The sword swallowing sensation, Little Miss Firefly; The Midget of Mischief, Donny Vomit, ; The Dapper Dan of Danger and introducing the most beautiful jewel in the crown of Burlesque British Bombshell Miss Aurora Natrix!!

Check out their Promotional YouTube Video:

See the Show & Class Schedule Below!

Pin Up Girl Classes

Along the way they will also be teaching 2 fabulous “How to be a Pin Up Girl Classes”, go to their website to sign up and start on your way to a more glamorous life:
www.prettythingsproductions.com/pinupclass.html

How to be a Pinup Model – Release your Inner Bombshell! Instructional DVD – $15

Pin Up Girl Classes Video:

Tour Dates:

November 6 The Rock Shop Fayetteville NC

November 7 Cahootenanny’s Johnson City TN

November 8 The Nick Birmingham AL

November 10 Nocturnal Memphis TN

November 11 Smoke and Barrels Fayetteville AR

November 12 Bash Riprocks 2 Depot District Lubbock TX

November 13 The Launchpad Albequerque NM

November 15-19 Global Gaming Expo LAS VEGAS, http://www.globalgamingexpo.com/

November 19 Venue TBA Las Vegas NV

November 20 Surly Wench Pub Tucson AZ

November 21 Bombardiers El Paso TX

November 22 The Deadhorse San Angelo TX

November 23 Sin Citi Odessa TX

November 24 HiLo Lounge Oklahoma City OK

November 27 Maxine’s Hot Springs AR

November 29 Cicero’s St Louis MO

December 2 Boobie Trap Bar Topeka, KS

December 3 Lindberg’s Springfield MO

December 4 Knickerbockers Lincoln NE

December 5 PIN UP CLASS Des Moines IA, http://www.prettythingsproductions.com/pinupclass.html

December 6 Vaudeville Mews Des Moines IA

December 7 The Beaumont Kansas City KS

December 9 White Rabbit Cabaret Indianapolis IN

December 10 The Rex Pittsburgh PA

December 11 PIN UP CLASS Harrisburg PA, http://www.prettythingsproductions.com/pinupclass.html

December 11 Stage on Herr Harrisburg PA

December 12 Asbury Lanes Asbury Park NJ

Pretty Things Peepshow

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Rockabilly Hairstyles, Pinup Makeup and Pinup Modeling

Darkman — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 22:47:22 +0000

We have 3 books and 1 DVD we would like to show you…

If you’re looking for more tutorials on Rockabilly and Pinup Hairstyles, or you want to know how to do your own Rockabilly and Pinup Makeup, or you’re going to do some pinup modeling for your boyfriend, then go no further. We’ve go the list of Books and Videos for you right here for you to get your best looks for that rockabilly/pinup model look.

Rockabilly Hairstyles and Pinup Hairstyles are basically the same, and so is rockabilly and pinup makeup, the question is, can you do them? If you find it hard to do we have several books and a video for you to look at, which we think you will benefit from.

The first Book we have to show is:

Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques – $24

Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques

There was something very special and beautiful about women in the early- to mid-20th century. The way they dressed was elegant and the way they wore their hair was feminine.

This book shows how to re-create so many of those hairstyles by taking hairstyles from the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s and breaking them down into simple, easy-to-follow instructions. It uses brand new photographs and detailed directions. Not only a manual, it is also fun to read.

The Finished Styles chapter of the book contains coffee table book quality images of models with their finished hairstyles. Sprinkled in introductions and throughout the book are interesting facts about the history of hairstyling, origins of styles, and information about starlets and performers who made the styles popular.

This 200-page full-color book has 6 main chapters. The book begins with the basics of styling and works its way back to advanced techniques. It also provides information on makeup, nails, and accessories for a finished look.

Available at Amazon.Com

The Second Book we have to show is:
Retro Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look – $24

Retro Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look

Retro Makeup: Techniques for applying the Vintage Look is a history and application guide for vintage cosmetic styles. It is a companion book to Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques. It starts with a brief history on the acceptance of makeup at the beginning of the 20th century and continues to explain in detail the styles, colors and techniques for applying makeup to look like the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Included in each decade are step-by-step directions on full makeup styles inspired by famous women such as Josephine Baker in the 1920s, Jean Harlow in the 1930s, Rita Hayworth in the 1940s, Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s, and Twiggy in the 1960s. The book also includes factual information about what defined the makeup looks of the decades based on popular culture of the time.

About the Author

Available at Amazon for $24

The next item is a DVD:

How to be a Pinup Model – Release your Inner Bombshell! – $15

How to be a Pinup Model

This DVD is great! It has Makeup How-to’s, Pinup/Rockabilly Hairstyles, and How to pose for a pinup photo shoot and why. Even if you don’t want to be a pinup model this DVD will help you with your hair and makeup for a rockabilly night out

How to be a Pinup Model – Release your Inner Bombshell is a unique instructional program celebrating female curves, positive self-image and playful spirit with two outstanding stars of vintage/alternative modeling and burlesque artists go-go Amy and Bettina May.

Alluring vintage pinup girl looks are now at the fingertips of any woman fortunate enough to lay her hands on this treasure chest of hair and makeup tutorials, modeling tricks, styling ideas, and inspirational guidance.

To quote our instructors, ‘Pinup modeling is a body-positive experience. Glamour has no age, height, or size requirements. All you need is a good attitude and a little glitter.’

So, go ahead, add sensual vintage flair to your everyday look or try an amazing pinup makeover for special occasions!

Creating your own pinup look is addictive!…. it is an experience of emotional discovery, bringing you closer to your truly feminine, always hopeful, ageless, resourceful, and down-to-earth core.

You will be amazed at the volume of detail in this program: The vintage-look lore, grandma’s secrets, and the spot-on helpful modern advice generously offered by Bettina May and go-go Amy, as well as the authenticity of their material, the depth their historical awareness and their inventiveness in blending retro and modern techniques. This video guide covers Vintage/Rockabilly/Pinup hair styles, glamour Pinup/Rockabilly makeup, posing for photography, sexy body language, and maintaining an optimistic spirit.

Bettina May instructs in the techniques of setting curls (different angles and configurations of rollers result in different looks!) and curl styling to echo the image of your favorite pinup icon or retro movie star, and in creating your own unique modern style with a retro twist.

Go-go Amy delves into the elusive techiques of vintage makeup: She brings new hope to all of us who attempted a ’40s diva cat eye or a retro lip shape but were defeated by crooked lines and hideous smudges generated by uncooperative pencils and eye-liner from hell.

Rediscover simplicity: ‘This is how grandma did it, and grandma was always right.’

Short hair? Short bangs? Learn how to seamlessly incorporate features of your personal hair style into an authentic retro look.

Body shape concerns? First of all, get over it. (It’s all about CURVES, remember?) But, to be on the safe side, learn to trick the camera!

Bettina May and go-go Amy take you on a journey through a dynamic inventory of modeling tricks and flattering body angles used by movie stars and models in front of the camera since silent movie days.

The girls will also teach you totally doable tricks to achieve those innocent and always surprised wide-eyed ingenue pinup girl facial expressions.

This beautiful-in-spirit, supportive and highly entertaining program is a perfect gift for yourself or a friend, and can also be the centerpiece for ‘a girls night in’ party. This DVD is Great!

Available at Amazon.Com

The next Item is another book:

Plain Jane to Pinup Queen: Pinup Modeling Workshop in a Book – $30

Plain Jane to Pinup Queen

Do you think you are just not photogenic or that you don’t have the right body type to look good in pictures? Do you cringe every time someone pulls out a camera at an event?

Bombshell Betty has good news for you… Anyone can learn to be more photogenic! It’s all in learning the secrets to visually sculpting your body through posing techniques and learning how to express your personality vibrantly in front of the camera. Believe it or not, these skills CAN be taught! This book is your key to finally having the flattering pictures that you want. No previous modeling skill or experience is required.

Whether you are looking to get started as a professional pinup model, or you simply want to dazzle your loved ones and shock your enemies with your fabulous new self, this one-of-a-kind book will transform you into the living, breathing pinup queen you’ve always wanted to be!

With this book, you will learn everything you need to know to get gorgeous pinup photos, demonstrated step by step with stunning photographs:

Why the camera adds 10 pounds and how to avoid this effect * Tricks fashion and pinup models use to “sculpt” their bodies
Traditional pinup poses for an authentic, retro look
Photo movement and effective prop use
Personality projection and how to “make love to the camera”
Photo styling
Step by step styling instruction for 1920’s-1950’s hair and makeup
Practical modeling basics like finding and working with photographers and how to pack and prepare for a photo shoot
Plus much more!

Available at Amazon.Com

Sample Chapters:

Pinup Modeling

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Lessons for Pinup Models & Photographers from Michelle “Bombshell” McGee

Darkman — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:19:52 +0000

Michelle Bombshell Nude Gallery HERE!

Pictures of tattooed web pr0n girl, Michelle “So Cal Bombshell” McGee, have been circulating all around the internet lately, due to the “Bombshell” blast of media coverage of her affair with TV show star Jesse James. James, of Monster Garage fame, as many of you know is the husband of Oscar winning Actress Sandra Bullock, allegedly had an affair with Michelle McGee and was caught, causing his wife Sandra Bullock to leave him and go into hiding.

Supposedly, McGee was paid $30,000 for the story about her and James, by In Touch Magazine Weekly. In Touch Weekly then contacted Bullocks PR Person, as a courtesy, to alert her of the pending story. This happening shortly after she took an Oscar for her performance in the movie “Blind Sided”. Talk about being Blind Sided. Bullock moved out just days before the news broke of the torrid affair, leaving her devastated and pushed her into hiding.

Ok my opinion in this, being a photographer with a little bit of a name in So Cal, and almost photographing Michelle “So Cal Bombshell” McGee at one point, when you become a high profile figure, or get involved with a high profile figure, all eyes are on you. Duh. You become an easy target for words and gossip.

What was Jesse James thinking? Oh wait, in his recent TV show “Jesse James is a Dead Man”, sorta rings true now. Your credibility is Dead, your public image is Dead, your marriage is most likely dead and you were with a tattooed web porn girl? She’s not even a real pr0n movie star, and his(James) wife was a real life Oscar Winning Movie Star. Duh. Let’s make one think clear here, someone was not thinking with his right head.

If some of you don’t know of my photography please see my website, Darkmans Darkroom, and familiarize yourself with my work. I say this only for the next section of this article.

My “almost” photo shoot with Michelle Bombshell was a couple years ago. I was scheduling her to photo with me, we were going to do some Hollywood glamour meets nude artwork, and she said she was bringing her son, stating he occupies himself on the couch while she’s shooting. Personally I didn’t feel at all comfortable with this and told her we could reschedule when she was able to get a baby sitter. At that point in my life I wasn’t a father yet but had my own opinions of this type of behavior: leave the children at home while doing nude photography, please.

Shortly thereafter I was told by a friend who had talked to her, she was bad mouthing Me, for not allowing her to bring her little boy to the photo shoot! Can you believe that? I’m the bad guy for not allowing her little boy to come watch a stranger photo his mommy in the nude! At that point I un-friended her from any social networks I might be on and have her as a friend.

I have a steadfast motto, being a photographer and a somewhat high profile one at that, ” I don’t f*** who I photo, and I don’t photo who I f***” A motto that has served me well and has kept my reputation spotless when it comes to model photographer relations. I have heard from other photographers who have photoed models I have photoed, with remarks about being professional, nice and not a GWC.

A GWC, meaning “Guy with Camera”, is a derogatory term for a guy who uses his camera to get close to models with the intent to photo them nude. Most usually Amateur photographers, if you can call them that, preying on Amateur models who don’t know any better or know the difference between good photography and bad.

Models and Photographers, take this as a lesson in ethics, if you’re going to play a game with your “Career”, be prepared to pay the ultimate price. Michelle “Bombshell” McGee may now have sudden notoriety, but at what price? I say if you’re going to be in the biz, play it clean and play it safe, because you never know who may be watching and photographing.

Oh and if you’re going to get tattooed, don’t get your face tattooed, who knows what it’s going to look like in 20-30 years, and if you do, at least make sure it’s legible, MMKay?

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Michelle “Bombshell” McGee Nude Gallery and Apologizes to Sandra Bullock

Legendary Pinup Photographer Peter Gowland Dies

Darkman — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:34:43 +0000

Peter Gowland, one of the most incredible pinup and innovative photographers of the old days and of our days, has passed away. He was 93.

I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Alice and Peter Gowland, at which time they invited me to their home in Santa Monica and talked to me about photography. Peter’s life in the photography and hollywood business started many years ago back in 1936, doing small parts, usually uncredited, but made his main living doing photography of stars, and pinup models, at his home or on set or on location.

Peter was the first person to photograph Jane Mansfield in a bikini, and has photoed many stars and celebrities through out his career. He is the son of Movie star Gibson Gowland and Sylvia Andrew, and has his own IMDB page Here. Peter didn’t act much, he took more to photography and made a life of it. He told me he never worked a day in his life, as he enjoyed what he did.

I had the fortunate experience of spending the afternoon with the Gowland’s 2-3 years ago, when I had gone to The Queen Mary in Long Beach. There was an exhibit of George Hurrell Photo on exhibit and I was not going to miss this. At the same time I asked Alice and Peter if I could come by and buy a couple of their books and talk for a few minutes. They told me they liked to sleep in the afternoon(Nap) and that I could only stay a few minutes. Well that few minutes turned into a couple of hours and some hearty discussion about Peter’s career and innovations to cameras and the industry.

I have several old magazines that Peter is published in, talking about how to shoot pinup and the article includes photos. I had started collecting magazines with pictures and articles of my favorite photographers, one of which is a 1951 US Camera magazine, with the article about pinups in it.

I had emailed Alice and Peter a week and a half ago, I wanted to buy some more photographs from Peter and start a bigger collection of his work, and that is when I found out Peter had broken his hip and was in the hospital. Peter was almost 94! He passed the operation to repair his hip with flying colors, but a few days later Peter passed away, on St. Patrick’s Day.

I found this out Peter had passed when I emailed Alice to find out and make sure Peter made it home from the hospital OK, when I received her response back, telling me of his passing, and how devastated she was. She said being in the hospital was too much for Peter. I can’t imagine being married to someone as long as they were married, and then losing my partner. My heart goes out to you Alice.

Rest in Peace Peter Gowland, Thanks for the memories and letting me meet you, one of the hugest legends in photography.

To see all of Peters great photography and achievements please see his website:
http://www.petergowland.com

Peter Gowland

The Gowlands and Larry Darkman Clark

Jane Mansfield Gallery by Peter Gowland

Various Stars and celebrities by Peter Gowland
including Rock Hudson, Tina Louise, Hugh Hefner and a wall of some of peters magazine covers, part of over 1000 covers.

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4 Reasons to use a Makeup Artist before a Photo Shoot

Darkman — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:02:53 +0000

Makeup Artist at work, Wedding Day

Why You Should Use a Makeup Artist.

Many times new photographers ask the question of “Why should you use a makeup artist before a shoot?”. I will tell you some of the reasons why I use a makeup artist with my photo shoots, and why I always recommend to client and new photographer to use a makeup artist before any shoot.

Make Your Best Impression.

When you show up to a job interview, you want to look your best and put your best foot forward. You want to make a good impression on the person interviewing you, right? The same is true when you are going to be taking photographs. With the exception that a photograph lasts virtually forever. It will definitely leave an impression on everyone who’s seen that picture, whether it’s a good impression or not is up to you.

4 Reasons why you should always have your makeup done professionally:

1. You don’t know how to do makeup very well and want to look your best.
2. It’s Your wedding day and you want to look your best.
3. It’s a photo shoot and you want to look your best.
4. It’s a modeling gig that pays and you want to look your best.

The common denominator here folks is “You want to look Your Best”.

I always suggest to my clientele to have their makeup professionally done before doing a shoot with me, you just never know when you might get something really good or you might not have a second chance to make something good. So you just don’t want your “One in a Million” chance to be a “Could’ve been a Good Shot” if you can help it.

What Makeup Can or Can’t Do for a Shoot.

I have setup shoots with models in the past who said they could do their own makeup, and when they showed up with their makeup already done by themselves I was very disappointed. I wouldn’t be able to work with these people with the way their makeup was, so that day was a scrap.

From then on I had learned if I need a model to do a shoot for something in my portfolio, I will either pay for her makeup to be done, or I will do a trade with a makeup artist for prints for their portfolio in exchange for their services. I will give you two examples of makeup that really helped with a shoot.

Example one, is a model I worked with in the past. Great model, pretty girl, but has some blemishes that needed to “Disappear” in front of the camera, so that’s what we did. We made them disappear. Minimal Photo shop in these pictures folks. I’ll tell you why in a minute.

Model: Platinum Kitten - A fetish model, MUA - Marissa Freeman, Photo: Darkman

Pretty Amazing huh? I thought so. It was a team effort here and everyone made the shoot, but what the makeup artist did was use a “Reflective” type of foundation on the model made by MAC. It had zinc oxide in the formula and when it was struck by the light of the strobe, it reflected back to the camera and virtually smoothed the models skin out. A good makeup artist will know things like this.

Example number two is a young lady who had no experience whatsoever about modeling. I liked her look for several reasons, she has a natural beauty that didn’t need much help but a little enhancement can go along way as you can see in the photo. The model also had a slightly off center nose which was corrected by the makeup artist, by using highlighting and shadowing techniques, in the photo her nose looks fine.

Model: Erin, MUA: Marissa Freeman, Photo: Darkman

The young lady in the second example as I said has a great look and with a little enhancement is a “Bombshell”. The makeup artist used shadowing techniques with her eyes as well to bring her big bright eyes down to a sultry, sexy, smokey look. Again not much Photo shop in this example either.

Getting your makeup done professionally.

When you are going to have a photo shoot there are several ways you can go about getting your makeup professionally done. If you don’t know a professional makeup artist personally, you can ask the photographer if he has any suggestions or contacts. Chances are they will and will be more than happy to refer you to a good makeup artist. If they don’t know of someone you can always look one up either online at Model Mayhem, Google Search for a local Makeup Artist, or go to your local mall. One other way of finding a makeup artist is ask your friends who just got married, or a wedding boutique. Chances are your friend may have had her makeup done on her special day, or the boutique will probably know of a few makeup artists.

When looking for a makeup artist, look at their portfolio first, ask questions, and ask how much they charge. Prices will vary according to what you need, their experience, and believe it or not, their Ego. One “Look” from a makeup artist can be anywhere from $60-$150+, and if you want more, it will be more money.

When going to your local mall or makeup counter, I highly suggest that you be honest with the ladies and guys there, and let them know you are going to a shoot. Also be prepared to Buy something of significance from them. These people make their living from selling product and they will be spending a good 45 minutes to an hour+ doing your makeup. So reward them for a job well done by purchasing some product from them. It’s a good gesture to “Pay” them for their time, if you don’t you will be insulting them.

Dress Rehearsal

One thing I can suggest before you show up to your shoot with a bad makeup job from a professional makeup artist is to do a practice run. Sometimes a professional will still need to take a look at you and try a few different colors to find the best match, or the best foundation for your skin tone. If you can, schedule a private consultation, preferably in the privacy of your own home, this way you aren’t rushed and can spend some time working out the kinks. Don’t leave things to chance, always be prepared for your shoots and give your best face forward.

I’ll leave you with a couple of photos from each of these Ladies shoots.

Enjoy…

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The Darkside of Bettie Page, Her Death, Interviews and Un-Official Biography Tell-All.

Darkman — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:56:55 +0000

Bettie Page was an American model who became famous in the 50s for her fetish modeling, movie shorts and pin-up photos. Often been called the “Queen of pinups”, her look, including her jet black hair and trademark bangs, has influenced many artists and aspiring pin-up models alike.

Bettie was one of the earliest Playmates of the Month for Playboy magazine, Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy once said “I think that she was a remarkable lady, an iconic figure in pop culture who influenced sexuality, taste in fashion, someone who had a tremendous impact on our society”.

In 1959, she converted to Christianity, and worked for Billy Graham. In 1979 Bettie moved to California and this is where a lot of the dark troubles that plagued Bettie Page started to surface. After moving to California and renting an apartment she had an episode, was arrested and had several criminal charges brought against her for the stabbing of her landlords in 1979. She was diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent several years in a state psychiatric hospital.

Bettie’s life, after her brief career as a model, was marked by depression and violent mood swings. After years of obscurity, she experienced a resurgence of popularity in the 1980s and has a significant cult following. Olivia, (Olivia de Berardinis, The Olivia) an American Painter of Pinup Art and Erotic Art, helped to popularize and bring back Bettie Pages image, in her paintings. Another incident that helped to propel her back into the spotlight was a likeness of her in the movie Sky Captain. This movie also helped to propel her back into the public’s eye and launch a comic book of her adventures.

While many people may not want to see or hear about this, there is a dark side to the happy and smiling Bettie Page as we know her. Her Official Biography talks about some things but the un-official biography by Richard Foster who tell’s the real story. Much to what people want to think, he is a man who really likes and admires Bettie Page, he just thought the people should know the real story behind the real Bettie Page. For those of you who asked for it, here is an exclusive interview with Bettie Page, before she died, asking only to be remembered how she was, not wanting people to see her how she is in the interview. There’s also a few pictures of Bettie in 1980 at the Playboy 50th Anniversary Party, and one of her mugshots, and a couple of recommended reading books on Bettie Page, including the one by Richard Foster, the Un-Official Tell-All Biography of Bettie Page.

For some really nice images of Bettie in her heyday, please see this Bettie Page Nude Gallery.

Bettie Page Mugshot

Bettie Page with Olivia the Artist, and Hugh Hefner of Playboy, Playboys 50th

Bettie Page at Playboys 50th with Anna Nicole Smith and Pamela Anderson

Bettie Page 1980

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