About the Images

This advertising beauty image features a woman with long, wavy brown hair, draped only in a black bra. She is posing with her arms raised, gazing into the distance with a confident expression. The warm lighting enhances her features, giving the scene a sun illuminated feel. The blurred background adds depth, making her the focal point of the image. She is standing in what seems to be an industrial setting is actually a covered set of community wash tubs with constantly running cold water. (See the BTS photo below). Shadows on the rough wall behind her help to add drama to the scene, while the strobe's hard light catches her face and shoulders. Her overall mood is one of quiet contemplation.

I was in Italy in the spring of 2007 and I was in the car with the intension of driving from Milano to Bellagio, some 60 miles (95KM) away and rather taking the fast way I decided to drive the scenic route, from Como to Bellagio on the road that is beside Lake Como.

Even though it is only 21 miles (34 km) the drive takes about 1 hour. The road is narrow and has umpteen curves, some tight turns, going through the trees and the small towns slows one down a good bit.

Being Spring, it had been raining and most of the streams, rivers and lakes in northern Italy were swollen. While driving through Nesso, I crossed a small bridge, maybe 12 feet long (4 meters), and I thought I heard a waterfall. I parked the car and grabbed a camera and started shooting, and shooting, and shooting.

Technically it was waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls, and more waterfalls. While trying to find a better spot, I noticed a narrow path between 2 buildings, so I took it to the top. What I discovered was the afore mentioned set of community wash tubs.

I'm guessing there was a time where the women, and some men, took their laundry to wash and rinse here. I have shot here several times and I have seen the occasional rug or towel hanging to dry. It is this spot, many years later, that I decided to shoot these series of images.

OH! I never made it to Bellagio that day.

Using strobe lighting allows me to put the light where I want it and allows me to not have other light to interfere with what I want and need.

Feel free to share: stpvd.com/25/3

For Photographers

The Gear for all images:
Canon camera set to 160 ISO with a shutter speed of 1/160 second using a
Canon 85mm f1.8 lens set to f8 shot hand held.

Lighting:
Lumedyne battery powered strobe system using a (See below)
Standard reflector from about
3 feet away (1m) from the model.

BTS Below

We are based in Los Angeles, California, Atlanta, Georgia, both in the USA, & Milan, Italy, and serve the nation and travel worldwide for projects, both video and stills. On average we travel 175 days a year from all over the USA, to Singapore to Japan, Europe and the Middle East. We are normally in Europe 2 or 3 times a year, mostly Italy and Germany, shooting for clients there.

If you would like to use this image, or any of my images for mock or comp use, please just ask. There is never a charge for this service. Educational use is permitted without charge, unless published, but please ask first. All commercial use is available only with a limited copyright release prior to use from the copyright holder, Steve Thornton. Thanks for looking!