Initial Ideas for Graveyard Shoot with Jane Haze

I aimed to create an ethereal and enchanting atmosphere for this photoshoot with gothic undertones. To achieve this, I planned to use a speedlight with a slow shutter speed without the diffuser, resulting in harsh shadows on my model with a dark vignette around the edges of the frame. I arrived at this effect through trial and error, capturing some test shots before the intended shoot.

In order to create the right mood and setting for the shoot, I spent considerable time scouting for the perfect location. I wanted to capture my subject during the blue hour to create a contrast between the colour temperature of the flash on the model’s face and the blue sky before moving on a night. Initially, I considered St Cuthbert’s Kirkyard, but upon further inspection, I felt it lacked the right amount of graves to create the gothic atmosphere I envisioned. Additionally, the location was too open to the public, which could be distracting for the model. As a result, I changed the location to Grange Cemetery, which had more graves and offered a more secluded atmosphere. However, the cemetery closes at 4:30 pm, preventing me from capturing the model during the blue hour. In the end, I found another graveyard closer to my home which is open 24 hours and has more graves from generations past. This could add to the grungey look of the images and provide the perfect backdrop for my photoshoot.

Unfortunately, I could not complete the shoot this week due to poor communication, so it has been postponed until next week. During this additional time, I plan to experiment with different camera angles and lighting techniques to enhance the ethereal and gothic atmosphere of the shoot. I will also schedule the shoot at a more convenient time for the model, which may mean shooting during the day instead of at night, but I will still aim to create a gothic atmosphere influenced by these inspirational photographs. I plan to collaborate with the model to understand their preferences and ideas for this particular shoot.