Video From My Photo Shoot With Big Dan Hill!

During my photo shoot with Big Daniel Hill, he was having some video recorded to be included in his series covering his rise in the world of bodybuilding. This is really fun! Take a look!



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Better Gym Photos and More...

Over the years I have received plenty of e-mails from photographers asking for hints about how to shoot better photos in the gym. There are tons of photographers out there photographing bodybuilding and fitness people and to be truthful, I really do think much of it ranges from bad to abysmal. Sadly it is also the fault of the model and the audience because they really don't know what a good photo looks like. It has been a dumbing down. The magazines and websites very often accept it too, because it is cheap or free.

But to answer the questions I get about improving gym shooting and more, for starters here is a photo I shot that I consider right on. First you have to start out with the right person in the photograph and the right person here is my good friend and fitness fabulous Amy. You can't argue about Amy's devotion to fitness, she is a Mom of 6 and a Grandma!

First things first, you have to shoot a good photo to begin with then no overly heavy handed fakery in "photoshop". The fitness world, especially when it has come to women, has been following an over-processed "photoshop" look of heavily blurred and smoothed skin that is so obviously fake as to be the joke of photography. 

Some quick good practice steps...

1. Good makeup and hair, very few models can do this for photography, it is different than going out on a Saturday night. Find yourself a makeup artist and hairstylist and use him or her on every shoot with a woman.

2. No over done stupid glamour poses. I always call it the "back end in the air, elbows in the sand" look. Boring and amateur. Look at posing in magazines like Vogue, Vanity Fair, Flaunt and others, especially the European versions. You will see much more interesting and creative work.

3. Lighting, learn it. Yes you can shoot with just your flash on the camera, but to get that to look right is even more difficult than complex studio lighting. So learn and experiment.

4. Wardrobe... You might think a g-string in the gym with boots is cool but to make that look good is going to take some real posing techniques and some smart modeling beyond what most subjects can pull off. Go with good and a little sexy gym clothes on the girls and basics on guys. Work on shooting good photos first.

5. Tanning... Competition tanning looks too odd in the gym or anywhere off stage. A darker than normal tan is good. NO BABY OIL. An amateur mistake. Just a slight spray of water in the gym can get the job done. Glycerin and water is also a good choice. Your MUA can help you with that.

6. Slow down and focus! And get your "white balance" right. And then slow down and focus! Did I say slow down and focus?

That's all for now. Any questions, leave me a comment!

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Another of Pro Bodybuilder, Big Daniel Hill...

From my photo shoot yesterday with Professional Bodybuilder, Daniel Hill...

And this is a little of what it looks like behind the scenes, take a look at the man in the mirror...

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Pro Bodybuilder, Daniel Hill...!

Superb photo shoot today with IFBB Professional Bodybuilder Daniel Hill...

Daniel has built a superb physique and has a great sense for being in front of the camera. You will be seeing him in the magazines a lot for sure!

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The Girl Can Jump!

Laura Bailey known as "Jumper11" is a magazine feature this month in Iron Man Magazine from our photo shoot at world famous Muscle Beach in the "Pit"...

And along the ocean at Venice Beach California...

And her name fits, "Jumper11" can really jump and run and more. This track star was selected as the Iron Man Magazine BodySpace Physique of the Month. I have had the fun of photographing and writing that feature for almost 3 years. So go get a copy of Iron Man Magazine and take a look!

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Muscle Beach Championship on Labor Day 2010

The last competition of the Summer at world famous Muscle Beach on Labor Day was the Muscle Beach Championship. A bright sunny day at Venice Beach California started out with Arnold himself stopping by on his bike ride to look around and say Hi!

The day went on with lots of competitors working out in the "Pit" to get ready for the show, a lunch time hot dog eating contest, and of course, great bodies on stage for the bodybuilding, figure and bikini competitions. Take a look!


Muscle Beach Championship On Labor Day 2010 - Images by Ian Sitren

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Alicia Renee Harris... All Smiles And In Planet Muscle Magazine!

Alicia Renee Harris is an IFBB Professional Figure Competitor again on her way to the Olympia stage in Las Vegas this year. So it is fitting that she is also featured in the latest issue of Planet Muscle Magazine this month from our photo shoot.

But as anyone who knows Alicia will tell you, Alicia is also really well known for her radiant smile and outlook that fills a room and puts a smile on everyone's face. I know I can't help but smile when I look at her photos. Take a look!


Alicia Renee Harris - Images by Ian Sitren

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