The video that was so offensive my IG got deleted. Prepared to be SHOCKED and appalled!

I could rant on this forever about Instagram censorship, but at the end of the day IG needs to take a junior high level biology class to learn that anatomy is not tantamount to pornography. Of course I understand the notion of protecting the youth of instagram from pornography, but Instagram you need to grow up a bit it this video qualifies as “adult content.”

NEW INSTAGRAM!

Looks like 3rd times a charm. My second Instagram account was deleted yesterday because of a video I posted with less than a second of Julie’s booty.

Here we go again with account 3. All booty shaking videos will be strictly on Vine, but Ill be up to my same tricks and some new experimenting on IG. Come check it out and say hello!

Hattie Watson. LA. 2013. Holga 007.

(Styled by: Julie, HMU by: Vera Delgado)

I’ll start by saying how beautiful I find your work. I find it liberating as a woman, that these pictures (to me) are all about the beauty and strength of the model. So a sincere thank you for allowing us to see your fabulous work. I am unsure whether or not you have answered this question before and if you have please let me know and I’ll look back… but are you a self taught photographer or have you studied. I find your lighting perfect!!!

Its always the most flattering comments I take the longest to respond to because I feel like I really need to do it justice.

It means a lot to me to here that my work reflects the strength and beauty of women. I shoot women because I think they are strong, beautiful and amazing. Obviously some women will always object to nude photos of women as objectifying, but Im very glad that my work is not seen that way. So THANK YOU!!

Im mostly self taught. I took a photography class in high school, then I took another one in summer school later in high school, then I taught a photo club my senior year of high school. But Ive never really had like a “formal” photography education.

I know very little about lighting for photography, most of my lighting knowledge comes from filmmaking and film school. Which yea, I did go to grad school for film production and my emphasis was Directing, so it wasn’t really camera related, but its certainly training in the visual medium.

Most of what I know about photography comes from ready photo books, experimenting and talking to photographers.

I think the best part of photography is really training your eye to capture what you want to see. That I dont think really anyone can teach you. But the more technical knowledge you ahve the more tools are at your disposal to know how to capture what you want.

Hope that makes sense.

Derek

Derek, fascinating Sprocket Rocket shots! How do you feel about the technical limitations of that camera. Is it rather a limitation for you, or do you consider it to be an advantage for your style of photography? Generally, do you tend to embrace the technical boundaries of the camera you are using during a shoot, or, are you trying to push it to the limits, see what you can get? Thanks!

I actually dig the limitations of the Sprocket Rocket, other than 1. The focus tends to go soft for me over a long enough period of time so I end up going through several sprocket rockets. Have a wall that’s kind of a Sprocket Rocket grave yard.

Generally I love the limitations of my cameras. They are all old, flawed and unique. Thats why I like to shoot old cameras and shoot on film. The kind of “magic” of the imperfections brings it to life. Of course you can add that magic to a digital photo, but thats never really interested me (other than with like iphone photos).

Though even for me I draw the line at film. I never really liked experimenting with REALLY expired film, or really messing with the film much at all. I never liked the idea that I could shot something and nothing turn out. So I do limit what I leave to risk.

Derek

Radeo. LA. 2013. Sprocket Rocket 3337.

(Styled by: Julie)

You had mentioned in a comment once on instagram, that Dani Leigh was someone who got you back into photography. I can totally see that..I live in CT, she just moved here with her boyfriend Jonnie who happens to be my best friend and she is such a cool person. Always down for shit. And good thing she was an influence cause time and time again Im really impressed with your work and JuicyJs styling. I have been following you both for a bit and honestly keep it up, you both have a great eye for cre

Yes indeed. Shes amazing!!

We were planning to meet up before she moved, but looks like I missed my window. DAMNIT!!

Thank you so much. It was super fun to shoot Dani the second time after a year of things evolving and growing. Ill definitely have to catch her next time shes in town. Say hello for me and give her a big hug.

Derek