Photographer's Comment:
Moko is a more holistic way to approach a tattoo. All
three pictures were
taken in collaboration with tattoo artist Gordon Toi Hatfield. Of the
three, Kingi and
Reweti are from Gordon's clan, the Ngapuhi from the North
Island of New Zealand and Jada
is
from the Ngati Kauwhata, which is a Tainui sub-tribe. The pictures were taken in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Little did we know at the time, we were actually making the book
'Dedicated by Blood' which was launched later in November 2002. What
most struck me when taking these pictures, was the pride in their faces,
the clearness in their consciousness of being Maori. Times have changed
and the Maori came from out of the shadows into the light. Gordon played
a big part in opening up the sacred pathways. Ara Tapu.
All pictures were taken with Hasselblad
6x6
Interview with Patricia Steur (June 2006
Tattoo Photo Contest Winner)
Do you remember the first time you saw a tattoo,
and what your reaction was?
THE FIRST TIME I SAW A TATTOO CLOSE-UP WAS ON HENK
SCHIFFMACHER'S BODY. IT WAS AN ARIES, HIS BIRTH SIGN IN THE HOROSCOPE.
I FOUND IT TOTALLY INTRIGUING AND ATTRACTIVE.
Do you have any tattoos yourself?
YES, THE FIRST ONE FROM BOB ROBERTS
ON MY ARM. 1980 - A CLAPPER BOARD WITH MUSICAL NOTES, (MAKING MUSIC
VIDEO CLIPS). SECOND AND THIRD ONE FROM DAN THOME 1985 BOTH DONE BY HAND WITH
TRADITIONAL TOOLS. A THUNDERBIRD ON MY BACK AND A STYLIZED DOLPHIN IN
THE INSIDE OF MY ARM DONE IN THE MICRONESIAN WAY. A FOURTH ONE IN 1991 FROM HENK SCHIFFMACHER A TAHITIAN
ANKLE BAND.
FIFTH 1999 AND SIXTH 2002 BOTH FROM GORDON TOI HATFIELD. HE STARTED OUT
ON MY OTHER ANKLE AND GRADUALLY WENT UP ON MY CALF.
ALL TATTOOS AND MOKO'S WERE PRESENTS.
As a photographer, do you approach
shooting a model with body art any differently than a model without tattoos??
WHEN A MODEL HAS TATTOOS, I
LOOK FOR THE BEST ANGLE TO PHOTOGRAPH SO I CAN SEE THE TATTOO BETTER.
Any tips for working with models who
have tattoos?
FOR ME I CAN NEVER
PHOTOGRAPH THE TATTOO WITHOUT THE PERSON. SOME DETAIL SHOTS YES, BUT
NEVER WITHOUT SHOWING THE PERSON. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SEE THE
FACE THAT GOES WITH THE TATTOO. I ALWAYS WONDER ABOUT THE STORY BEHIND
IT.
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?
LUCKILY NEVER. I AM IN THE FAMOUS PEOPLE BUSINESS AND NOT SO MUCH IN
FASHION. IF IT IS FASHION IT IS WITH ACTORS OR SINGERS AND I WILL NOT
GO OUT OF MY WAY TO HIDE ANY TATTOO. IT IS ANOTHER STORY ABOUT THAT
PERSON WHICH I FIND INTERESTING.
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!"?
TATTOOS I GET IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE PERSON. IT
IS ALL INTERESTING TO ME. I DO NOT DISCRIMINATE HERE.
What would be your advice to someone who wants a great photo that shows their body art to its best advantage?
UNDRESS! (AND GOOD
LIGHTING WILL DEFINITELY HELP)
What is the biggest difference
between shooting editorial work - say for someone like Bob Baxter at Skin & Ink
- and working in a studio?
THEY ARE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES. IN THE STUDIO YOU CONTROL
EVERYTHING AND ON LOCATION YOU DON'T. BOTH STYLES HAVE THEIR
ATTRACTION.
Any tips for taking good photos at
tattoo conventions?
IF YOU HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY, FIND A SPACE TO MAKE A STUDIO AND INVITE PEOPLE IN THERE.
YOU HAVE PEACE AND QUITE THERE TO CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL AND
DIFFERENT. OR ELSE HANG A PEACE OF BLACK CLOTH AND PUT A LAMP ON THE
MODEL, TO MAKE INTERESTING SHADOWS. DAYLIGHT IS ALSO BEAUTIFUL. THAT
IS WHAT I USED FOR KINGI ON THE TERRACE.
What do you think of the growing numbers of celebrities and models who have tattoos?
IT IS A SIGN OF THE TIMES. EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE LESS
PEOPLE NOT TATTOOED THAN TATTOOED.
What tips would you give to the home photographer, tattoo
enthusiast or tattoo artist who wants to take a great photograph of a tattoo?
LET YOUR IMAGINATION FREE AND WITH ALL THE PASSION IN YOUR
HEART, GO FOR IT. DON'T THINK OF WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF YOUR
PHOTOGRAPH. JUST HAVE FUN! AND BE THERE IN THE MOMENT.
What would be your dream tattoo photography assignment?
GO TRAVEL WITH
GORDON TOI HATFIELD AND FAMILY SOME MORE IN THE PACIFIC AND PHOTOGRAPH
WHAT HE MOKO'S. AND NEXT TO IT THE TRADITIONAL ONES IN THAT AREA. I
CAME TO THE AMAZING DISCOVERY THAT A LOT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WANT
TOI'S MOKO. WHEN I ASK WHY THEY WANT MAORI DESING AND NOT THEIR OWN,
THEY ANSWER THAT THEY ARE ALL FROM ONE FAMILY. INTERESTING ISN'T IT?
Patricia
Patricia Steur Photography BV
Industrieweg 4
3628 EZ Kockengen
The Netherlands
T +31-(0)346-562696
F +31-(0)346-562214
M +31-(0)615072490
E patricia@patriciasteur.com
H www.patriciasteur.com
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