Isabella Sessions 3 from Sol Lang on Vimeo.

Isabella Sessions 3

A compilation of film clips from a shooting session with Isabella.

Arianna, Simply Beautiful

Arianna, Simply Beautiful, a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

I need to share a little secret. A small neurosis that sometimes overwhelms me before a session with a model. This time was no exception.

One would clearly see, by the line-up of models I photograph, that my selection of subjects is made with a great deal of care. It is not every day that a model would walk through the door that would posses the exquisiteness that I require all my models to have. This would be both in external physical beauty as well as the more subtly visible spiritual, inner beauty. I have yet to photograph a model that did not posses one or the other, but mostly both, by the time I have photographed and processed the images of them.

But back to my neurosis. I select my models from various sources. On-line casting sites, agencies, recommendations, applications. I always have the opportunity to evaluate them physically from their portfolios, if that exists, or at the very least from a series of photographs that they can provide for my inspection. Once I make my decision to photograph a subject, I go through with the session. This would mean that the model would have already been scrutinized by me and my aesthetic preferences. Still the day before the session. Sometimes in the middle of the night, I would wake up with anxiety, wondering wether of not I made a right decision choosing the model I am about to photograph. Seems a bit crazy, but it is so.

And so it was the night before my shoot with Arianna. The neurosis started. I started fearing that I would find flaws that I hand’t noticed in the portfolio. What if the shots in the portfolio were so heavily retouched and I will have a horrible surprise tomorrow when she arrives. I have actually heard such horror stories from other photographers who were faced with models who showed old images of themselves tha weret hardly representative of their present state. Oh God! Please let it not be that!

But, no. How could it be. Arianna did an Italian Playboy appearance in the September 2011 issue and is about to do the cover of the December 2012 issue. Stop fretting. Get back to sleep. It will be a wonderful session with a stupendous model that will provide countless photographs. Much more than I will have time to process. And not to forget the tons of video footage that will produce a neat little visual story by the time I am finished editing it.

So I calmed myself down and went back to sleep. Must gather my strength for this physically demanding photo session.

I am happy to report that the next day, with all the malfunctions previously stated (see other posts), the session was a success. Arianna was beyond my expectations. Possessing stunning, breathtaking beauty, she posed to my heart’s content.

I will be adding images from these sessions as I process them. Come back often to see how this set will evolve and grow.

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There will be several videos showing behind the scenes of the Arianna sessions.

This image can be purchased as a signed, limited edition print, by contacting me either here on Flickr or by email sol@sollang.com

A Room with a View

I was faced with many challenges in achieving this shooting session with Arianna. The first challenge was to find a model that would meet my critical aesthetic requirements, which Arianna easily met and indeed surpassed. Yes, I have been told many times that I am tough on aesthetics. I don’t really think that I am. I have my preferences and as it happens, my preferences do tend to please most viewers of my glamor photographic work. But at the same time my range of preferences is rather wide. Anyone looking at my work would see that. But getting back to my challenges of shooting Ariana… We (my wife Mary and I) had just driven in to Rapallo, Italy from Chamonix, France, arriving one hour before the agreed upon time to start the session. We had to check into our hotel, unpack and set-up our equipment, do some test shots and be ready for Ariana’s arrival. It all had to be fast, flawless like clock-work. This was not what I am used to. My work is rarely on-location. I do most of my work in a more leisurely fashion, in my home studio, where I have all my lighting equipment and, apparently, unlimited shooting locations around the house. In Rapallo, at the hotel, I was limited to our room and the requested balcony facing the Mediterranean with Portofino to one side and the Rapallo Marina on the other. A pretty nice setting. The only lighting equipment I brought was a single strobe head mounted on a stand with a reflector umbrella. After setting-up, I tested the strobe and it worked just fine, but then I heard a “pop” sound that came from the head and, just as I thought, it was no longer functioning.   Arianna, who came from Milan, arrived twenty minutes early. Very unusual for a model. Most of my models call an hour late asking for directions. This was a refreshing change. I could see that great things were going to come of it. And so the session began.

I will be adding images from these sessions as I process them. Come back often to see how this set will evolve and grow.

View this image large

There will be several videos showing behind the scenes of the Arianna sessions.

This image can be purchased as a signed, limited edition print, by contacting me either here on Flickr or by email sol@sollang.com

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She Sits Like a Queen on Her Throne...

She Sits Like a Queen on Her Throne..., a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
She Sits Like a Queen on Her Throne...

...and yet, outwardly, there seems to be no connection between this sultry redhead and world issues such as politics, religion, the environment or other social concerns. But wait! Upon some closer scrutiny, a message does seem to appear. It is the same message that is always suppressed when anything smacks of sexuality, even if only slightly. Why then would that be? Politicians stay away from the subject because like religion or abortion, it is much too controversial and can easily split a voting public right down the middle. Freedom of choice, to-date, has not been too good for elections. So, too has sexuality. It is deemed to be private. Secret. Even in the most “normal” sense, it is a taboo subject. In some circles of our society, it is considered deviant even to just discuss it. It is, especially, considered a taboo subject when compared with what are considered more “higher-brow” concerns such as politics, religion, literature, the environment, medicine or world finance. And yet sexuality affects us all. Psychologists tell us that to suppress it or pretend it isn’t there can be hazardous to individuals and society alike. So we would rather wonder, why do we have so many sexually driven crimes and why, even-though they are reprehensible, do they get so much attention in the media? Why do they inspire and provoke the imagination of a vast audience?

The large version is a must see.

You can own a signed, limited edition, framed print of "She Sits Like a Queen on Her Throne..." by contacting the artist sol@sollang.com

A good day for contemplation

A good day for contemplation, a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

As I look out my window and see the snow laden branches sagging from the weight of the snow, I think to myself “What a beautiful scene!” It is a good day to stay home from work, snuggle up by a warm fireplace, read a book and relax. But I am an artist. There is no time off for art. I think “art” all the time. Every observation is material for artistic expression. So what does all this have to do with the photograph I present here of Milena? Perhaps nothing, unless I compare the cold world outside with the warmth that is obviously expressed in this image. Why can this unfortunate world have such contrasts? Can our human condition possibly be expressed in a single work of art? It is not likely. But looking at this image, in the context of this day and my place and time within this universe, I am compelled to see beyond the beauty of Milena, as she reclines comfortably and provocatively on a couch with the warm glow cast upon her skin from the lamp behind her. I am forced to think of a world of contrasts, where somewhere there is a homeless person, sleeping outdoors, trying to keep warm by covering himself with a blanket of corrugated boxes covered and soaked by the wet snow. Suddenly I am overwhelmed with a feeling of sadness. Not just for the homeless person, but for all the misfortunes that exist in this world. Art can do that. It can trigger thoughts, not only in a direct, literal sense, but also an indirect implied sense. Contrasts at work.

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Visit my web site.

This session was not recorded in film, but you can view some of my other sessions on my site.

Reflections (explicit) on Vimeo by Sol Lang

Reflections (explicit) on Vimeo by Sol Lang, a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

Featuring Kerri Taylor, taken during a photo shoot with Sol Lang.

Watch this video on Vimeo. Video created by Sol Lang.

Good Morning Kimmey

A short video featuring Kimberley Van Der Ferron playfully performing to "All Over Now" by the Rolling Stones.

Directed, filmed and edited by Sol Lang.

Love Machine from Sol Lang on Vimeo.

Inspired by Love Machine by Sol Lang – an art piece created using TroyArt robot for the Toy Art exhibit at MuBE (Museu Brasileiro da Escultura) in São Paulo, Brazil. Date of exhibit January 15th - 30th, 2011.



Museu Brasileiro da Escultura

Rua Alemanha, 221, Jd. Europa

São Paulo - SP - Brasil

CEP 01448-010



Song: Strip-Teaser by Aniella (cc)

Satin & Lace

Satin & Lace, a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

Fitting textures for the delicate female skin. They speak of sensuality to our sense of touch. Close your eyes and imagine it against the back of your hand. Avoid using your finger tips as they are too rough to truly appreciate the smoothness and softness of this delicate texture. And once you are able to perceive this sensation of touch, meditate on it and feel your heart grow with desire. Now open your eyes and feed your fantasy with the image before you, to complete the experience.

View this image in the original size to get all the details.

Spirited Milena

Spirited Milena, a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

For the first time I am able to express in words what I am showing photographically – i.e. the classic beauty that is Milena. Her sensuality is conveyed, not just by her stunning appearance, but also by her body language, which consists of graceful, feminine movements that cannot really ever be captured by the still camera. Although it is not for lack of trying, one does get a sense of it through my photographs of her. Looking at her, no matter how she is attired, her spirit exudes pure elegance.

Leaders' Debate | Green Party of Canada

Leaders' Debate | Green Party of Canada

By Elizabeth May on 30 March 2011 - 7:56am

 

Yesterday, on Power Play with Don Martin,  I began, “déjà vu all over again.”
Haven’t we been here before?  Didn’t the issue get resolved?
Why did the Consortium say I could not be included in 2008?  Because, they claimed 3 of 4 leaders said they would not participate if I were included.  That was the only reason.  So when Jack Layton and Stephen Harper relented I was included.
This time they have a new reason.  Invitations only go to parties with MPs in the House.  They are making this up as they go along.  The debate decision-making is an  unregulated, ad hoc process that makes decisions without benefit of rules or criteria.  The decision makers are the so-called Broadcast Consortium, as the news directors from CBC, CTV, Global, TVA and Radio Canada style themselves when making all the decisions about the leaders' debate.
How can a group of five television executives decide to exclude a party running in 308 ridings when they include a party that only runs candidates in Quebec?  How can debates, a critical part of the democratic process, operate in such a high-handed and arbitrary fashion?  How can a party with the support of one in ten Canadians be excluded?  And most fundamentally, how can TV executives tell Canadians that a vote for Green candidates is not a viable vote?  That is in fact what they are doing.  Far from facilitating a full and fair discussion in a democracy, they are interfering in democracy by dictating what votes are worth casting. What other interpretation can there be when the news media tells the public what leaders have a right to be heard? 
Yet, we were the only party in 2008 to receive more votes than in 2006.  We had nearly one million votes.  We are the only party likely to raise important issues, consistently ignored by others.  We are the only party committed to “high road” politics, to rejecting the politics of negativity, the attack ads and the smears. 
Canadians are fair minded.  Over 70% in poll after poll have argued that the Greens should be included.  This is not because 70% of Canadians plan to vote Green, but because Canadians recognize that democracy is healthier when all voices are heard. Right now, 83% of those who have gone on line on the CBC poll support the Greens being in the debates.
Canadians know when something is unfair and wrong.  This decision will be pilloried by Canadians from coast to coast because it offends our basic sense of decency and fair play. 
Please help us turn up the pressure.

Sign the Petition at demanddemocraticdebates.ca (which is endorsed by the Green Party of Canada).
 
Send emails to:
CTV - Wendy Freeman President of News  and News Managing Editor Dennis McIntosh programming@ctv.ca
CBC Jennifer McGuire General manager and Chief of News  ombudsman@cbc.ca
Global - Troy Reeb  viewercontact.globalnational@globaltv.com
TVA - Serge Fortin rédacteur en chef, au service de l'information de TVA info@tva.ca
Radio Canada - ombudsman@radio-canada.ca

Thank you!

Jody Williams - Curriculum Vitae

Jody Williams - Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae

Born 9 October 1950.

Profession
Ms. Jody Williams is the founding coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), which was formally launched by six nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in October of 1992. Ms. Williams has overseen the growth of the ICBL to more than 1,000 NGOs in more than sixty countries. She has served as the chief strategist and spokesperson for the campaign. Working in a unprecedented cooperative effort with governments, UN bodies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the ICBL achieved its goal of an international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines during the diplomatic conference held in Oslo in September 1997.

In her capacity as ICBL coordinator, she has written and spoken extensively on the problem of landmines and the movement to ban them. In recognition of her expertise on the issue, Ms. Williams was invited to serve as a technical adviser to the UN's Study on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children, led by Ms. Graca Machel, former first lady of Mozambique.

Prior to beginning the ICBL, Ms. Williams worked for eleven years to build public awareness about U.S. policy toward Central America. From 1986 to 1992, she developed and directed humanitarian relief projects as the deputy director of the Los Angeles-based Medical Aid for El Salvador. From 1984 to 1986, she was co-coordinator of the Nicaragua-Honduras Education Project, leading fact-finding delegations to the region. Previously, she taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Washington, D.C.


Education
Ms. Williams has a Master's Degree in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (Washington, D.C., 1984), a Master's Degree in Teaching Spanish and ESL from the School for International Training (Brattleboro, Vermont, 1976), and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Vermont (Burlington, Vermont, 1972).

Presentations/publications
In her capacity as ICBL coordinator, she has written and spoken extensively on the problem of landmines and the movement to ban them. She has spoken in various fora, including at the United Nations, the European Parliament, and the Organization of African Unity. Ms. Williams co-authored a seminal study, based on two years of field research in four mine-affected countries, detailing the socioeconomic consequences of landmine contamination. She has written articles for journals produced by the United Nations and the ICRC, among others. Papers and publications include: After the Guns Fall Silent: The Enduring Legacy of Landmines, Shawn Roberts and Jody Williams, Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, Washington, D.C., 1995. "Landmines and measures to eliminate them," International Review of the Red Cross, July-August 1995. No. 307. "Landmines: Dealing with the Environmental Impact," Environment Security, 1997, Vol. 1. No. 2. "Social Consequences of Widespread Use of Landmines," Landmine Symposium, International Committee of the Red Cross, Montreux, Switzerland, April 1993. "The Protection of Children Against Landmines and Unexploded Ordinance," Impact of Armed Conflict on Children: Report of the Expert Group of the Secretary-General, Ms. Graca Machel, A/51/306, 26 August 1996.

From Les Prix Nobel. The Nobel Prizes 1997, Editor Tore Frängsmyr, [Nobel Foundation], Stockholm, 1998

This CV was written at the time of the award and later published in the book series Les Prix Nobel/Nobel Lectures. The information is sometimes updated with an addendum submitted by the Laureate. To cite this document, always state the source as shown above.

Copyright © The Nobel Foundation 1997

Nightly Inspiration

Nightly Inspiration, a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

How shall you inspire me tonight? The question is suggestive, yet innocent. As an artist one is always in search of inspiration and nothing seems more inspiring to this artist than the beauty of a woman. There is a joy in capturing her as she is being a woman. To this artist, femininity alone is all that it takes to be inspired, but when the model is superlatively attractive, the inspiration as well as the resulting art are ever so much more sweet. It's like food feeding hunger versus food feeding the palate. But it is nourishment that, I am glad to say, never seems to result in satiation.

Plateau Alley Sewer Cover

Plateau Alley Sewer Cover a photo by Sol Lang on Flickr.

A composition of graphic elements that convey a time and a place most city dwellers can relate to. Memories from the time we were children, playing on the streets or back alleys of our neighbourhoods.

To see more of my work, please go to my web site.

Time, time, time. See what's become of me. (Paul Simon)

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Christelle, oui ou non?

Christelle, oui ou non?
Originally uploaded by Sol Lang

Covering up your nakedness with a knitted woolen garment that has a pattern with large holes will not give you the modesty you seek. And anyway, you are just pretending to cover yourself up. You really do want to expose yourself to me. It arouses you to watch me take in every goose-pimpled inch of your soft white, cold-induced quivering skin. I know I am right because the expression on your face tell me so. And you are a woman who knows and gets what she wants. So I pretend to be unaware of this, even though the atmosphere is as tense and intense as can be. If it were not for your intention to pose so provocatively for my camera, I would think that these sensual moves are meant to get my attention and provoke me to step towards you and place myself right up against you. But such thoughts for a photographer are dangerous when faced with the task of creating beauty. A task that is all consuming. There is little room for anything other than “it”. But a creative mind wonders. And when the artist is a man immersing himself entirely into his art, sexual tension is a required part of the process. The honest collaboration between artist and model calls for an admission of guilt. But if admission is not forth coming, the proof is quite clearly visible in your eyes.

Self Portrait with Christelle 3

Self Portrait with Christelle 3
Originally uploaded by Sol Lang

“No use hiding your face Christelle. You can hide just about as much as I can in this shot. But you might as well not show your face since I am not either. Of course, everyone wants to see you. Who would want to see me. So you’d think that hiding your face is indicative of your modesty, but what about the magnificent rest of you?”

I am just being a bit playful and somewhat sarcastic. Let’s face it, how serious does one get when faced with the creativity of artistic nude photography. I am still doing it… being sarcastic, that is. Of course it’s serious. It’s possibly about the most serious kind of photography next to journalism photography, where covering the victims of a war torn part of the world or the hardships of a third world society that is impoverished and depleted so as to tear-up a photographer, emotionally. Actually, compared to these, this kind of art is not only pleasurable but downright fulfilling. Not to say that it is not emotional. There is a great deal of emotion that passes between photographer and model. It is, at least, for THIS photographer with HIS models.

So look carefully. Observe actively. There it is. One need but to open one’s eyes and see. This is a reality that can not exist in any other way. At least not one that I know of.

Milena’s Private Moment.

Milena’s Private Moment.
Originally uploaded by Sol Lang

To be a fly on the wall. To be able to observe without being observed. This is what makes some images more intriguing than others. Capturing a private moment in time. Observing the unsuspecting, as he or she goes through the day. Each performing his or her own little rituals.

We observe the elegant demeanor of a young woman as she undresses. Beauty without ceremony. A classic nude. An image that is an icon in the making.

But I have questions to ask of you, dear readers. Questions that will force introspection and require honesty and self awareness. How does this image make you feel? What emotions or passions does it percolate in you? What grand romantic writings does it inspire? Does it require much thought, or do the answers rise to the surface like oil on water?

Your expressive responses will further inspire me to question, produce and create.

Exploiting Milena

Exploiting Milena
Originally uploaded by Sol Lang

In appreciating beauty and youth, I could only assume that as a man one may think of me as having unsavory sexual motives, when confronted with such beauty. Even if it is not expressed, looking around me, I see many a raised eyebrow, speaking much louder than words. I am living in a world where morality comes from religion and is dictated to me through ignorance in its attempt to impose power over me. Even though I feel liberated from the clutches of religion, the morals associated with sexuality are deeply embedded into my sub-conscience. One must ask oneself – why do we have feelings of guilt when thinking sexual thoughts? Why are they so, to be referred to by some as “impure”? Would we really all behave like animals, without rules or morality were it not for religion? Are we to believe that without religion we can not be moral beings by just applying our collective human wisdom and rational thought?

And what about Milena’s thoughts. Are we to believe that her’s is just a vacant gaze? If we could just read them by peering into her eyes, a revelation of deep passion and a sense of her own sexuality would very likely be revealed.