Model Society

about Deekay Images

Male

Overview:
My primary career was spent as a professional engineer (in the petroleum sector). Photography has been a serious sideline for decades, and my related pursuits have generally involved the female form.

Beginnings:
My early work (starting when I managed to buy my first "very used" Nikon FTn body about 2 years after college graduation) soon included being a designated photographer for model portfolio development at a prominent, national modeling agency branch in Denver, Coloado, along with doing fairly regular individual portraiture for professional organizations and local businesses. I also sold a color feature, including cover and centerfold to the Denver magazine, which supplied encouragement for me to switch careers and pursue pro photography.

Inspirations:
Like many who pick up a camera, I was inspired by the glamour work of publications such as (earlier) Playboy (R), impressed / influenced by their idealization of the "glam" female form of the day - particularly innovative photographers like Richard Fegley - and tried to learn related lighting and posing techniques - which was relatively challenging prior to having all the sources currently available. I am undoubtedly still affected by many of those beginning influences, especially the idealization of human/ female form... not by notably altering it in post-processing, but by viewing/capturing it from complimentary positions and typically using lens lengths that lend themselves to this objective. Sometimes an unusual viewpoint, perspective or lens focal length produces notably "interesting" photographs, and there are those who can consistently create true art this way; but, generally speaking, that is not my approach.

Reality - followed the money:
After getting an unexpected/ unsolicited, generous offer and succumbing to it, I accepted an international petroleum engineering consultant assignment and took up residence in SE Asia. Given the remote, generally undeveloped setting, trying to pursue glamour photography was unrealistic; so, I necessarily shifted into what would most closely be categorized as photojournalism. Shooting film was the only option, and getting acceptable processing and development was much more of a challenge (and/or concern) than it had been state-side. But, the experience was useful and increased my appreciation for things that were previously taken for granted. The "when in Rome" adage took on more relevance. The international lifestyle and associated travel opportunities were not difficult to get used to; thus, I spent over 20 years in total living abroad.

Current Pursuits:
Skipping forward, during the past few years I have been largely focused on fine art nudes in scenic outdoor settings. Even in Southern California the outdoors temperature of most locations becomes a bit chilly during winter months, which provides just enough incentive for me to shoot indoors during that period to maintain (or, maybe even improve) my studio/ location lighting skills. And, I try to make myself use only the number of light heads or monolights needed to create the desired lighting for the scene; and, reduce my tendency to over-complicate it... despite liking such complexity.