The Bard By Lillian Liu

Content Editor: Alice On

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Close-up

Lillian: Brief interlude from the usual programming to share how humbled I am and thankful for this opportunity! The other finalists for the @stocksyunited Photography Award and @beautifulbizarremagazine art prize are all visionary and have such incredibly visceral worlds, and I can only be happy to be included. 🌹 Voting for People’s Choice opens in the first week of October, and it would mean so much. ❤️ It may be interesting for a few to think that I chose to enter a piece taken with a outdated camera model introduced more than 10 years ago (Nikon D90) and with some Amazon $70 softbox lights, as opposed to something more refined from my new D850- but it just reinforces my main philosophy that I really do see gear as tools of the trade, but only as tools. As much as having the best and most recent tools can make an outcome far easier to achieve- it is still the intention and spirit of creating that makes the final shot. To me, it has never been about fancy lenses due to both accessibility and money, or fancy lights...although it never hurts to have them due to how smooth and elevated they can make your workflow! ✨ I am glad I have my upgrades now for both printing and shooting purposes- but I still remember my D90 days with fondness, even if I only had one lens and one body for the longest time and knew how limiting it could be. Nevertheless, finding ways around existing problems can make for some creative solutions- and I remember it being interesting to know my then camera so intimately...all of its flaws and capabilities.
What drew me to this shot, even if it was taken with an old camera, was the vibe. Body language for a model is so important to me, and it often needs to be highlighted in a still photograph to convey a message- and @brinalyon was incredible in responding when I would ask her to keep shoulders lowered, lean certain ways, while keeping eyes downcast and away...as if she was afraid of making eye contact, or if she was being pulled into her own focused thoughts. What is her poem or song? Perhaps it is a lament for the days gone by.
Colour is also something that is incredibly important to me. (Continued in comments) #beautifulbizarreartprize

Lillian: Still can’t get over the sister image to this portrait being published in the latest Vogue Taiwan February issue. 😭 A simple portrait that focuses on @daisycode_ca ‘s impeccable makeup artistry (can you see the individual brush strokes?), @brinalyon of @keymodels looks ever regal in @pioroblue ‘s stunning fashion that I was immediately taken with. Thank you, team, for the amazing effort! ❤️❤️❤️ The colour toning in this image also mixes in elements of one action from fabulous @bellakotak and @solsticeretouch ’s @fineartactions - do check it out and support if you are a fan of beautiful colours, convenience, education, and much more!

Photographer :Lillian

Makeup,hair and styling : Daisy H.

Models:  Brinalyon  @keymodels

Brand:  Pioroblue 

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