announcement

Augusts Updates and 'Well he would say that, wouldn't he? '

in

Welcome back to my blog and little piece of the web that is mine. Good to have you back and hope you enjoy this months offerings?

It was going to be a quite month as opposed to July, with no model shoots at all Yet back in July I was contacted about shooting with a new model Lydia Clifford and I just jumped at the opportunity. We also squeezed another new shoot in with favourite Monalisa Moyo, back again in-front of the lens. So aside from them its been an peaceful, uneventful month. I would like to add a thank you to all those who like and watch my blog. With a special mention to my father who wrote a really lovely email to me saying how he enjoyed the pictures. I do not often get a lot of comments and often met with indifference because I think people have an expectation of a certain quality of work so don't mention when they get it. I put images up on Instagram and the such which sometimes go on to get two likes- WORLDWIDE!! Now I am not fishing for compliments, applause or feeling sorry for myself, but it is always good to get feedback (good or bad). So at least you know where your going wrong or getting something right? Now I know what you might be thinking, so his father said something encouraging to him and to use the Mandy Rice - Davies quote 'Well he would say that, wouldn't he? ' But it took me back a bit in a pleasant way and it felt good. Feedback, suggestion, requests and even constructive criticism, is better than silent indifference people. Nuff said ….…...

September is shaping up to be a busy month with a three model shoot at the Boardroom Studio in Derby, organised Shadrine my makeup artist at Kavour Beauty. Get well Shadrine, we need you fit and active on the day.

Please enjoy this months blog

x


So please enjoy this months blog

May Updates, stuck fingers and a small spring cleaning for the site

in

Welcome back to my little corner of the web.

I am having issue with my fingers especially on my right side of the body getting stuck in an awkward position every morning. I had it so bad recently that I had to talk with the Doctors about it (yes I did manage to talk with one !). Its the onset of creeping arthritis I have in my hands and knees. It does not hurt, its more of an inconvenience trying to snap them back into place or massage them. Holding knives and forks is a problem now as does using a camera. Still it could be worse and I be in terrible pain some people have with arthritis. The joys of getting old I suppose.

So I have had a spring clean on the site and moved a few things around. Notice please the Beauty Shots and fashion/ mode gallery's are now amalgamated under one title. Notice also that there are now two projects folders. The projects folder is for ongoing work that I am still doing where as the Projects Extra folder is for stuff I feel I cannot do any more with. I had to do this as the project file on its own with everything in it was proving difficult to open and show its content.

There was no model shoot this month. Instead we have a gallery of pictures from a shoot with the lovely fashion model Mercybongo taken at The Boardroom Studio on the very last day of April. All hair and makeup was done by Kavour beauty, who did an excellent job as always. And check out the backdrop to the shoot especially made for this project. Awesome – best I have ever seen !!!

Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the show. x

March Updates, its happy birthday Dad. Also a warm thank you and a sweet sayonara for the passing away of Mr. Sakamoto.

in

Welcome back to the Lujon Rael Portfolio blog for this month, and its been quite a busy month with another two shoots in the studio under my belt. But more of that in a bit. This month also sees my father turn twenty one again (?), or so he likes to tell us. We know he is really about a hundred and three, but we won’t let him in on the fact that we know. Joking aside, its wishing you a happy birthday and glad you like your 'Pooping Puppies' Jigsaw (it is a thousand piece jigsaw featuring one hundred and one dogs of all breeds having a shit ! I kid you not See Here).I knew that would be just up his street and preferably down wind so he cant smell the doggy does. Happy birthday Dad, love you.

On a sadder note, I caught the BBC News 24 coverage of the passing of one of my favourite musicians and influencers. The celebrated Japanese pianist and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. He had been battling cancer for sometime, but it finally claimed his life. His music has been an inspiration to me for decades, ever since I purchased a copy of the Yellow Magic Orchestra first vinyl LP in Northamptons ‘Our Price’ record store.. To this day his music often appears in my slideshows, right here on this blog. Ryuichi Sakamoto acted in as well as scored the music to,films including 'Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence' and 'The Last Emperor.' He also created beautiful musical scores for many other films, 'Wuthering Heights,' 'The Sheltering Sky' and more recently 'The Revenant,’ to name but a few. I was privileged to see him on tour once at the Hammersmith Odeon (Eventim Apollo its now called I think?) in London, which was a thrill and the art work and front covers of his records I have tried to emulate in my photography. Here below are two such images, pastiches on 'The Thousand Knives of Ryuichi Sakamoto' and 'Sweet Revenge' front covers. I hope I did them justice?

So its thank you and a sweet sayonara to Mr Sakamoto, you left us with the beautiful sound track of your life.

So yes we managed to fill two commitments in this month with shoots down at The Boardroom Studio. Firstly with Boxer and athlete Nicolie Campbell then a second shoot with two Asian models, Supple Suki and Yoo Yoo. Both were great shoots and went well, but I owe a huge thanks to those who assist me. To Shadrine at Kavour Beauty, my makeup artist who pulled out all the stops for these two sessions. She was brilliant, just look at her work on ll three models starting with Nicole Campbells tribal look. Spot on. Thank you also to Phil Lynam at the Boardroom Studio for his invaluable input and lighting suggestions on the day. And a big thank you also to my wife Amy for being there to assist me and make all the food.

More shoots coming this month in April with a new model to me, Kay Carter and the second coming of Miss Mercybongo…. Bring hem on !

Enjoy this months blog x

October Updates and a warm farewell to Uncle .... a life worth remembering

in

Welcome back to Lujon Rael Portfolio this month.


We aim to please our viewers and friends, but must start this month off with some sad news of the passing of a dear Uncle. Ly Va Sinh (or Uncle as we affectionately refereed to him) passed away earlier this month with his family by his bedside when the end finally came. Originally from North Vietnam, he came with all of his family to the UK via Hong Kong back in the late 1970's. Which was no mean feet on a boat as they did then. Anyone old enough to remember the late 1970' and early 1980's would be aware of the 'Boat People' fleeing to safety back then. My wife included on that same boat as Uncle.

He was the mayor of his town in Vietnam and was always welcoming to Amy and myself whenever we would be in his house. Uncle had a warm smile that lit up his face when he was pleased about something and he also possessed a good sense of humour. I can remember once Uncle offering me some Chinese Rice Wine. I knocked the whole glass down straight and he paused to see my reaction. It was like having a red hot poker in your throat and Uncle thought it was so amusing to watch me flap my arms about like a demented chicken in a clumsy attempt to cool my mouth down. On another occasion Uncle laughed enthusiastically when I put some orange peel in my mouth cut to make them look like monkeys teeth. So what I am saying here is that Uncle was a very good and loving man. He leaves behind a very large extended family of several generations and all of whom love him and miss him. But he is with his beloved late wife and in a much better place now I believe. And in no more pain. The martial arts star Bruce Lee once said 'To reach true immortality, you must first lead a life worth remembering.' I think that applies here and it is no glib statement to say that Amy and I will both miss him. But we will remember him … and so I would like to dedicate this months blog to the memory of Uncle Ly Va Sinh.

For Uncle and the Ly family ... the love of the loved ... Safe journey home x

In other business, I had a great shoot this last month with Marie Jean Saxton at the Boardroom Studio in Derby, that went well. The results of which can be seen below, I am at loggerheads with Clinic 8 of my local Hospital again as they called me in for an appointment at 9am Sunday morning, only to be told they had cancelled it weeks ago and had not got around to telling me. They had also booked me in for an appointment today to have dye washed through my veins. Something I did not know about as nobody discussed it with me. This appointment was then cancelled later that day in a phone call from the hospital. They apologised as it was a mistake and they did not infact need to do this invasive procedure. Which was just as well. Because after yesterdays debacle, I had already made up my mind I was not going to turn up anyway, so there !

Clinic 8, a place where dreams do come true !

Hope you enjoy this months blog.

April Updates

in

Hello and welcome back to the Lujon Rael blog spot on the web.

Its been a quiet month really, with very little going on after the hectic of March. I was not going to do a fashion shoot this month, but the urge got the better of me and Monalisa Moyo was looking for something to do. So we did one. I purchased a new camera this month as my old Nikon D3X was getting tired, due to its ten years or more of loyal service. I don't get rid of my old cameras, that to me would be like selling your own granny for a few quid. I just retire them and keep them safe. And I have loads of old cameras to look after.

Anyway, I would like to thank Monalisa, Chris, Gail and Nina at Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours … as well as Amy for her loyal support.

January Updates, Happy New Year and an unashamed plug for the 'Brutal' Architecture books and the work of Martin Dust photographer

in

Let me first say thank you for coming back to my blog and hope you are all having a great start to the New Year 2022.

There has been no fashion shoot this month, but that will be remedied soon with a double shoot on the 22nd / 23rd February with Monalisa Moyo and Russian model Xenia in the Boardroom Studio in Derby. I can not wait to get going with that but I first need to show some of the left over stuff from last year and new stuff from this month. As I mentioned in last months blog update we were taken to Rushden Lakes shopping complex were I managed to do some photography as well as some landscapes on another day. The results you will find featured here.

Before the end of last year I came across an advert on Instagram for a book of photographic work by a local photographer called Martin Dust. He lives in the Sheffield area and photographs what is known as 'Brutal' architecture. Things that a lot of people would feel hard pressed to love and find beauty in it. Least of all Prince Charles. I had already started my 'Architectural Metaphor' project some months before, so was taken to see his work. I purchased his 'Brutal Sheffield' book and follow up 'Brutal Yorkshire' book which are both excellent editions. The photography is amazing, but I suppose it would be fare to say, it might not be for everyones taste. However, if you have been enjoying my 'Architectural Metaphor' and 'Sound Of The Suburbs' projects you may just like Martin’s brilliant work.

Check out and support his work at the following

So it just leaves me to say a few thank yous to finish off. To Amy for her support. To Chris and Wendy at Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours and to Karen and Carmen Ma Not forgetting Mum and Dad, it was just great to see you both again after so very long. x

November Updates

in

Welcome back to the blog and web site of Lujon Rael.

Has everyone had or going to have their booster jab yet? Amy and I had ours last Sunday. All went well until the next day when I felt like a zombie and slept a full twenty four hours.

Amy’s arm just hurt a bit. !!

I can happily report that there have been no falls this month and I have been mostly busy watching re-runs of Star Trek 'Deep Space Nine' on the SyFi channel. That said, I did manage to get in a great shoot with new model to me Tasha Lawer. Which was great fun and the usual flower shoot I do with help from Amy and our friends, Chris and Wendy at Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours at the end of the month.

We are getting into Christmas season now, or, Mariah Carey Season as I like to think of it. With only one more month to go before we watch 'The Guns of Navarone' and Morecambe and Wise 1973 Christmas Special on the BBC.... again !

So enjoy the blog and lets all stay safe this season.

September Updates

in

Another month has rolled around and time to update the blog.

On the whole its been a quiet month with not much happening until this last week and it all kicked off. As mentioned in the August update I had planned to do two shoots this month, both I am happy to say went ahead eventually. I say that because the final shoot was a drama to behold and touch and go until the hour of shooting. But at the end of the day everyone turned up (if late) and we finally got the job done. I am in the process of editing those last pictures so they will not be available until next months blog update in October. But I do have the Nicolie Campbell pictures to show and they are a real treat. A genuinely nice man with a handsome look and lots of abs on show. But then what would expect from a boxer and athlete.

I woul just like to make mention of thanks to a few model I met through the drama of this week. So a shout out to Natasha Lawer, Elle Jones, Simone Stocks and Betty Malone All the ladies have been more than helpful to me this month and I shall not forget their kindness.

A thanks also to Chris and Wendy at Flowers To Yours and Brambles Florist Shadrine at Kavour Beauty for her MUA skills and Monalisa for being Monalisa !! .

And of course, not forgetting my dear wife Amy for always being there.

August Updates and an unashamed plug

in

Hello and welcome back to my blog this rainy August.

It has been a quiet month with again no model shoots, but I have been planning for two shoots in the same week at the end of September. The models then will be athlete and champion boxer Nicolie Campbell and then fashion model Monalsia Moyo. I have all the props ready, but have a small oily problem with one of the bits for Nicolies shoot. I intend to shoot him wearing chain-mail and managed to get some great gear from India. Unfortunately it has come smothered in axel oil and quite unusable. I purchased a grey backup but it is not as good as the oily black one. I was advised to wash it several times in hot soapy water, which I shall do … if not I am snookered !

I hope to bring you the pictures next month.

Now I don't normally highlight other photographers work on my blog, but I would like to draw your attention to a book soon to be released by a friend of mine. Amazing wildlife and native peoples photographer Scott Davis from California, is someone I friended on Instagram (#scottydavispics) and follow his work avidly, To me he is like the film maker David Lean of photography with his images and we often comment on each others work. Scott also takes extraordinary pictures of indigenous people from all over the world, from Brazil to Mongolia and the narrative on their portraits tells such a powerful narrative. Check them out on his Instagram or why not visit his website www.scottdavisimages.com

Anyway, he has a book coming out called 'The Science of hope: Eye to eye with our worlds wildlife' which he co-authored with Wiebke Finkler Ph.D. I am always impressed with his knowledge of his subjects, only bettered by Sir David Attenborough in that field.

The book is in the shops and online in the United Kingdom from 21st September. 2021


9781925820645.jpg

Visit these sellers for your pre-order copy:

Amazon UK

Ebay

WH Smith

Wordery

A great read

I put my money where my mouth is and have already pre-ordered my copy.

Thanks this month to Amy for all her support and to Chris and Wendy at Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours. A special mention to Karen Ma … my biggest fan in the whole wide world !!!!

June Updates and welcome the arrival of baby girl, Ayzhuh.

in

Welcome back to June updated blog and galleries.

Now normally I have to bring you all sad news of those who have departed, but not this month.

My dear friend, muse and sidekick Tyler Dyce proudly announced the arrival of her little girl Ayzhuh with a message to me and a few attached photographs.

So a huge load of love goes out to both Tyler and her little boss, Ayzhuh. I hope everything is as good as you hope it to be and that she grows up to be as lovely as her mother. God bless x

So now that we all have a bit more flexibility to go out and visit places after the lockdowns, Amy and I decided it was a good idea to show our faces at my parent’s home. We had not seen them in eighteen months (much the same as a lot of people) so it was lovely to share time with them, and we both enjoyed it immensely, despite the rain. While we were down there we also got to photograph a few things, like my Father’s garden and Sywell Aerodrome. All of which I have shared on this website and blog this month. But most of all it was just nice to see my parents again, alive and kicking after all this time.

I managed to fit in a fashion shoot with the awesome Marie Jean Saxton model, in a 1970's inspired shoot complete with flared trousers and orange tights. Looking forward now to my shoot with Monalisa Moyo in a luxury hotel in July and seeing just what we can create. After that I have nothing planned in …. no shoots at all ….. I would like to do one more with Marie Jean Saxton, but after that I don't know what the future holds. I am still on the fence regards retirement, and can not really say a great deal more on the subject.

So that's it for this month. Thank you to all for their help this month and wishing Tyler and her daughter Ayzhuh all the best for the future.

As one light fades, still another begins ….

May Updates and goodbye my friend, Les Armstrong.

in

Welcome everyone back to this Mays blog from Lujon Rael

I wanted to say a few words about the passing of one of my friends. His name was Robert Leslie Armstrong (known as Les to us) and he served our country bravely during World War 2 in the 73 Squadron RAF as a ground crews man in both France and West Africa. By the time of his retirement Les had attained the rank of Squadron Leader.

I first met Les when he used to attend a photographic club I ran in London some years ago and we had kept in touch ever since. He was always a friendly and likeable man who had time for you, but I possibly felt he did not suffer fools gladly. A point being when one hapless club member, (who shall remain unnamed) thrust a copy of a Spiderman comic book into the eighty year old war veterans hands (!) And then was jovially told told ’There, go and read that.’ The young man got short shrift from the Squadron Leader then sent on his away with a flea in his ear for his troubles Les was a popular, respected and valued member of the photographic club … as well as being my friend.

Born 26th January, 1920 , he quietly passed away on 14th May, 2021, aged 101. Les will be missed by his family and all those that cared and loved him.

Till we meet again Les x

I must apologies for the bit of a lateness with this months update, as my angina has been causing me some serious problems. I simply did not have the strength in me to update this blog until today. There was to be a male model shoot on location this month, but sadly it has been postponed due to the models work schedule clashing. It might have been just as well as I was not feeling up to it anyway.

Thank you to all involved with this months images to Amy for her help and input and to Chris and Wendy at Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours.

See you next month x

October Updates

in

October is the start of what I call the silly season leading all the way up to new years eve and the big belly flop that comes after it on January 2nd. Our government has put us all into a Covid-19 lockdown again, so there will be no photoshoots in November or flower shoots either I would imagine.

Bummer !!

On a more happy note the Lens Culture, Black and White Photography Awards that I entered has now closed, but before they did they sent out this advert below to get more people to enter and kindly used my picture in the top left hand corner. Does this mean anything? Proberbly not, but it does tell me someone, somewhere in summertime likes it enough to use it in an advert. Which is something positive I suppose.

I would just like to take this chance to say a fond farewell to Sir Sean Connery who’s films were a big influence on me as a child and young person growing up.

Please enjoy this months updates..

232e8528-9cfc-4541-a096-0501d6f3b827.jpg

September updates and Lens Culture competition entry.

in

Thank you for coming back and welcome to this September’s bumper harvest.

I would like to draw your attention to a competiton I entered from Lens Culture. Its the Black & White Photography Awards 2020. I put in seven pictures, not expecting a single one to get a second look, but to my suprise they have liked one of them that they are featuring on their sight and you are able to support.

This is the picture

157.jpg

Its a nerdy picture i took of male model Lee Henshaw with his collar buttoned up. Notice also his collar on the viewers right hand side, is on his jacket.

He is not wearing a tie.

Anyway if you follow the link here it will take you to the page. scroll down until you get to the ‘Competition Gallery’ and use the toggle on the right of the picture to look at all the pictures. Mine is close to the bottom. Please star it as favourite …. please !!!

Thank you for your support and enjoy this months blog.

Welcome To June Covid-19 Special

in

Its looking like the dreaded Covid-19 is waning … or at least thats the reason our beloved leaders are giving reason to open up again. Only time will tell if this is a wise move, but its nice to be able to go out and feel the air on your skin again. I have been busy creating new projects and lots of photography. I might add I could not have done any of it without the help of my lovely wife Amy. Thank you x Remember to come back next month to see a fresh new model shoot.