Joel Janse van Vuuren | Editorial preview

I've been lucky enough to work with Elsa and Johan again for an editorial for Joel Janse Van Vuuren's fantastic designs (HERE), a few weeks ago.

Here's a quick preview to what's coming.

Model: Elsa Bleda
3D HD Video & Lighting: Panavision
MUA: Liezl Zene Oberholzer
Dress Design: Joel Janse van Vuuren

The Disquieting II | Underwater Fine Art

It's been a while now that I have been working on the Transformation series, a theme I chose to give voice to the subtle transformations that happen within all of us due to the power of our thoughts. I've not spent enough time explaining my concepts and thought processes lately, and I find that a big part of what I'm trying to say and create is lost due to that.

The concept that there is a type of metamorphosis of the mind that manifests itself in the physical as certain thoughts and beliefs take a hold of us, has been one that I've given a lot of thought in the last few years.  Things we proclaim and the way we perceive ourselves, may manifest in ways we do not understand.  My focus is directed toward exploring the merging of the physical reality and the subconscious of an individual. Each character I have explored so far (however hastily or incomplete), have represented a psychological state-of-being that I have either experienced or witnessed.

"The Disquieting" (also here) references the dangers of delusional thinking, fear and denial. It's that person inside all of us that often feels lost and abandoned... It has for many become a unstable place to build their home on.

 

Model: Elsa Bleda

Black Water - Ophelia falls | Underwater Fine Art

After finishing the series of  The Everlasting Wonderer, we made use of the beautiful light to get more images here. With all the flower petals floating around and the fact that we were already shooting with an old and torn wedding dress, the story of Ophelia came to mind... So, this is simply an impromptu take on the death of Ophelia as she sinks and succumbs to the deep.

Like a great lily

‘On the calm black water where the stars are sleeping
White Ophelia floats like a great lily;
Floats very slowly, lying in her long veils…
- In the far-off woods you can hear them sound the mort.

For more than a thousand years sad Ophelia
Has passed, a white phantom, down the long black river.
For more than a thousand years her sweet madness
Has murmured its ballad to the evening breeze.

The wind kisses her breasts and unfolds in a wreath
Her great veils rising and falling with the waters;
The shivering willows weep on her shoulder,
The rushes lean over her wide, dreaming brow…’

Arthur Rimbaud, ‘Ophelia’

Taken from 11|13.com

  

A few behind-the-scenes shots of the day:

Model: Elsa Bleda
Set assistant (...and occasional make-up): Johan Baird
Thanks again Catherine Terblance for the use of your awesome pool!

The Disquieting | Underwater

Model: Elsa Bleda