Model's Comment: I asked a friend
of mine since Junior High to take photos of me... commemorating my 40th
birthday and the tattoo I have wanted for about 5 years. I spent the 3
months prior to my 40th birthday working with my tattoo artist Rob every
week to complete it on time. The tattoo just shows how amazing the
artistic process is and how it works when the vision of the artist and
the client are both satisfied... and the photograph captures that moment
when it has all come together. As a forty year old woman with my life
falling apart (literally) I found myself empowered by the process of
getting this tattoo and allowing myself to be photographed. To make a
long story short... this tattoo has changed how I look at myself now and
has enabled me to look forward to the next 40 years of my life.
Interview with Mark Lowry (May 2006
Tattoo Photo Contest Winner)
Do you remember the first time you saw a tattoo,
and what your reaction was?
The first tattoo I ever saw was actually on my father. He was in the Air
Force and of course had a couple of tats. My favorite was actually a
black panther he had on his forearm. Several years back, (before they
closed), I went to the legendary Bert Grimm shop in Long Beach and had a
panther done in honor of my dad.
Do you have any tattoos yourself?
Yes, the one mentioned above and a continually growing number of others. Every
time my best friend and I take a trip together we end up getting something. They
are all situated so you would never know I had any when I am wearing a long
sleeve shirt... some of my clients scare easily. lol
As a photographer, do you approach
shooting a model with body art any differently than a model without tattoos?
It really depends on what the final result is supposed to be. If it is a really
commercial piece sometimes the art directors want the ink to be airbrushed
out... but in my fine art work I typically just shoot whatever is most appealing
without taking the ink into account.
Any tips for working with models who
have tattoos?
Play it by ear, if the tat works with your final vision then put it to good use... especially if it is a great piece of work.
Are tattoos and body modifications a
problem in other work that you do? Do you ever have to shoot around tattoos or
use cover-up make-up?
That only seems to be a problem with the really commercial/mainstream work.
Tattoos have become acceptable to almost everyone as we are walking around...
but when you are trying to represent a brand of clothing or a retailer,
typically they want to have a more generic representation of whatever they are
wanting to sell. Because of that they will usually have the tattoos taken out
after the fact or they will choose models who have work that is easy to obscure.
What is it about a particular tattoo
or model with tattoos that you find interesting? Have you ever seen a tattoo, or
a person with tattoos and said, "I have to shoot that!"?
I have always been most interested in the story behind a tattoo or a series of
work. I have never been a huge fan of random tattoos so I am always interested
to find out the story of what a particular piece of work means to someone. I
guess I am a voyeur by nature and hearing the stories behind these visual pieces
helps to satisfy that craving for me.
As a photographer & visual artist, what defines a good tattoo in your eyes? What design
& aesthetic qualities are you looking for?
Ouch... that is a tough one. What appeals to me may not appeal to someone else
and vice-versa. I think a "good tattoo" is well thought out and something that
will show when the artist is passionate about his or her work. Other than that
you would be hard pressed to get me to say someone's tattoo sucks, (although we
all know that some work out there does indeed suck)!
What would be your advice to someone who wants a great photo that shows their body art to its best advantage?
I am a believer in details so...find a photographer who isn't afraid to
concentrate on the small things as well as the overall. Of course chemistry is
important. If you don't feel good around the person who is going to be telling
you how to stand sit and pose... then the images will show that in a very painful
way. Talk to the photog about who you are and what the work means to you... get
his or her input and then go from there.
What is the biggest difference
between shooting editorial work - say for someone like Bob Baxter at Skin & Ink
- and working in a studio?
I love them both for entirely different reasons. Editorial is just plain fun. It tells a story and can be really beautiful all on its own. Working in the studio is more like painting for me. It is much
more slow and laborious, but when you have a client that trusts your vision completely, the results are fabulous.
Any tips for taking good photos at
tattoo conventions?
Yes. Be the BOSS! What I mean by that is don't be afraid to tell people what to
do. I am very big on finding interesting environments for people that I
photograph. Look for something that you know will be visually appealing and just
ask the person... "Hey, would you mind just coming over here for a second so I
can get a couple of photos of you"?
What do you think of the growing numbers of celebrities and models who have tattoos?
I think its great for the tattoo artists. A little publicity like that can go a
LONG way towards buying that new Mercedes.
What tips would you give to the home photographer, tattoo
enthusiast or tattoo artist who wants to take a great photograph of a tattoo?
Be passionate about it. Don't be afraid to experiment with the light and angle.
If you are shooting digital you can shoot all day for free so mix it up! Oh
yeah, on camera flashes suck... so find another light source if you can.
Daylight from windows and even streetlights can be great if you use them right.
What would be your dream tattoo photography assignment?
Angelina Jolie... but only because I want to get her
naked.
Mark R. Lowry Photography
206.849.6649 |
