The break-away photograph

The break-away photograph
Originally uploaded by Sol Lang.

I am often asked which one of my models is my favourite. That is probably the easiest question to answer. It is kind of like asking a parent which one of his or her children is his or her favourite. Where I come from, one does not make such a distinction between their children. In the same way, I can’t do it with my models. Wheather I have chosen them or they have chosen me, it was a decision to work together offering one another their trust and opening one’s self to stand naked and vulnerable before the other. Yes, the photographer too, although not naked, is vulnerable during the shooting session. So, really, no, there is no favourite model.

But in the results of the sessions, every so often, there is a shot that stands above the rest. A “shooting star” photograph that I know when I am working on it, that it will get the most views, comments and favourites. Every so often, I have the good fortune of such an image. I know it when it’s there and my viewers, fans and general “Flickr” public know it, see it and delight in it. The comments start pouring in and the appreciation becomes overwhelmingly evident.

I will sometimes hold back on such an image, thinking “let me save it for just the right time.” When is the right time? Right time of day? Week? Month? If I had only one such image, I would just hold on to it forever and never find a good enough time to exhibit it. Thankfully, I believe that there will always be another. In fact releasing one makes it possible for the others to come flowing in. Like water in a sink. You have to drain some out to let fresh water in.

I believe this image is such an image. I am completely convinced that this image will be among my highest rated images. Friday afternoon is a pretty good time to post it. People unwind for the weekend and after a long hard week of work they can go see what’s new on Flickr.

This is Milena feeling the warmth of the natural sunlight as it streams into our kitchen.

The large version is spactacular.

I was interviewed for Magic Places Fine Art on-line photography magazine. I invite you to read the article.

Competing for Their Photographer's Eye

Competing for Their Photographer's Eye
Originally uploaded by Sol Lang.

Behind the scenes shenanigans during a photo/video shoot of glamour model, Natalie.

Halle, our Golden Retriever is vying for attention from Mary Bogdan, my artist, wife and creative collaborator.

It couldn't have been more perfect had it been set up.

This image was on view in the Musée de l'Elysée in Lausanne, Switzerland during the exhibition installation called "We're all photographers now!"

I thought this was a fitting image to post as the first one on my fan club group, because it shows the atmosphere of our home/studio, where we collaborate and create together. Our model, Natalie, who has become a close friend and creative contributor to our process, clearly exhibits, in her expression, the fun we are all having as we do what we enjoy most – art.

To see more of my work, please go to my web site

Milena: Tribute to Innocence - Calendar

Milena: Tribute to Innocence - Calendar
Originally uploaded by Sol Lang.

I have had many requests for a "Milena" calendar. Well, it's finally available from lulu dot com. You can get details and a link on my Flickr profile page. This is an April 2008 to March 2009 calendar. No need to have lost a month, as you would on January to December calendars. I intend to republish regularly to always have it current. By the way, you can see a preview of the inside images once you are on lulu. This is my third calendar so far. I have made one with Kimmey and another one with Caitlin. They all have previews to see the images of the inside pages as they appear for each month.
Your encouragement is most appreciated.

My new calendar is finally ready. Don't worry, it's not too late. This calendar runs from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009.

My new calendar is finally ready. Don't worry, it's not too late. This calendar runs from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. Also, if you are interested in buying it and you miss getting it before April, I intend to republish with a later starting date. Originally uploaded by Sol Lang. I really wanted to have this calendar of images of Caitlin ready before Christmas 2007, but my work-load was too great and I had to postpone the calendar. Well it is finally available through lulu and it looks awesome. Most of the images have never been seen before. If you decide to go look, check out the preview. I am showing all the inside images there. So if you want your very own piece of work by Sol Lang in print, this is an opportunity to own twelve great images of gorgeous Caitlin, my leggy model. You'll be able to see a different view of her each month of the year. If you are interested, you can get all the links to my publications and prints from my profile page. Oh yes. The Printed calendar cover is with the breast exposed. It's just covered here for public safety :) View this calendar cover large.

Sol Lang exhibiting at Galerie Luz in Montreal, Sep 1st-29th '07

Sol Lang exhibiting at Galerie Luz in Montreal, Sep 1st-29th '07
Originally uploaded by Sol Lang.

Everyone is invited
If you are in Montreal during the month of September, try not to miss this show of photography.
Seven artists (some from Flickr)
Paula Braswell,
Albena Karasko,
Sol Lang,
Joyce Ryckman,
Hélène Bruderlein,
Kathlyn Horibe,
Geneviève Doyon

Vernissage: Saturday, September 1st, 2:00-5:00 PM

The location is: Galerie Luz, 372 Ste-Catherine west, suite 418,
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 5:00 PM

Forbidden Urban Structures
The experiences and images of my past influence how I see what I see as a possible future. This can be my own understanding of a personal future as well the collective future of all of mankind. Timeless, it can be distant future or very immediate. Tomorrow. Next month. Next year. I present it as here and now.

As I am descending into the underworld, I see the forbidden urban structures that support what was once a great metropolis. I remark the infrastructure that linked it to other great cities. Massive supports to hold up tons of concrete and rail. The sound of an occasional locomotive breaks the silence rumbling as it passes overhead and then disappears. Swallowed by the huge mouth of a sleeping city. The stillness once again reigns over these mammoth walls and columns.

Structures urbaines interdites
Les expériences et les images de mon passé influencent ma façon de voir comme un futur possible, mon propre avenir aussi bien que l'avenir collectif de toute l’humanité. L'éternel, est-ce un futur lointain ou très immédiat? Demain. Le mois suivant. L'année suivante. Je le présente comme l’ici et maintenant.

Tout en descendant dans les souterrains du monde, j’observe les structures urbaines interdites qui soutiennent ce qui fut jadis une grande métropole. Je remarque l'infrastructure qui reliait cette métropole à d'autres grandes villes. Des appuis massifs supportent des tonnes de béton et de rails. Le sifflement occasionnel d'une locomotive, grondant en passant au-dessus de nos têtes, perçe le silence puis disparaît. Avalé par l’énorme bouche d'une ville endormie. Le calme règne à nouveau au-dessus de ces murs et piliers géants.

art photography exhibition "mois de la photo" Montreal quebec canada Lang sollang "Paula Braswell" "Albena Karasko" "Hélène Bruderlein" "Joyce Ryckman" Sol

Spreads from Majestic & Mundane book

Spread from Majestic & Mundane book - p.8-9
Originally uploaded by Sol Lang.

Spread from Majestic & Mundane book - p.6-7

Spread from Majestic & Mundane book - p.6-7
Originally uploaded by Sol Lang.

Finally after so many months my book is published and ready to ship.

I am presenting it here first, to all my Flickr friends. This is where I received the most views and support.

It is a ninety-eight pages book of my photographs with supporting texts about my views and feelings about these images and my general philosophy about my art. The photography as well as this book are a labor of love. I will continue to produce more of them, as they are what keeps me happy and sane.

This is my first book, which is a retrospective of work I created in the last eight years. Although some of the photographs go back further in time, they are included because thematically they fit in well. Some of these have been on exhibit, but many have never been seen before in public.

It is a self-published book on Lulu.com, beautifully designed by Mary Bogdan of Crayon Design & Communication and published by HeuteKunst, our publishing company, which we created for the purpose of publishing art books for a non-elitist art community.

If you have any questions about this book or anything else mentioned above, do not hesitate to contact me.

If by some remote possibility you want to own a copy here is a link to follow.

Isabella in the Garden 3

Isabella in the Garden 3
Originally uploaded by Sol Lang.

The garden of Earthly delights comes to mind. Back by popular demand, Isabella has kindly agreed to disrobe in our garden to the delight, or was it shock of our neighbours. We live in a part of the city that is quite populated by Hassidic Jews. Their curiosity was great when they became aware of our session in the garden and in plain view. With barely perceivable discomfort, Isabella stood her ground as I was snapping away.

I particularly enjoyed the contrast of her pink skin against the foliage as the robe was slowly and controllably falling off to reveal her nude body.

I usually work very hard when I am shooting. Very caught up in the moment and deep in my creative mode. It is only much later that I get to view the results of the shoot, work on the images in Photoshop and can finally sit back and admire the photographs. Writing about them as I do for Flickr brings much to light by way of my feelings and emotions that the photographs convey.

I must give a big thank you to my wife Mary Bogdan, who is the gardener and creator of this seemingly wild, ambient, magical location.

All the lighting is natural, outdoors daylight.

We did shoot a video recording of the session. The raw footage will soon be edited and uploaded. If you would like to see a short film showing two of my other sessions please follow this link.