Interesting Green: Getting charmed by snakes (The Big Shot 2

Today, Wednesday, October 19, 2011, Page 28 & 29, Nikon, The Big Shot 2
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By NICOLETTE ONG, "At the heart of the image. In search of the next Big Shot. Brought to you by NIKON. [Part Six of Nine]"

Shooting live subjects takes skill, especially if it is a slithering snake

PHOTO: TEMPTATION
Fandy Razak, 32, Wedding Photographer

It was a straightforward shot of a semi-nude female holding a snake. I was focusing on the strong eye contact of the model and the snake.

Today, Wednesday, October 19, 2011, Page 28 & 29, Nikon, The Big Shot 2

Some people have a natural flair when it comes to posing while others just do not know what to do in front of the camera. Still, all is not lost because you can style the person. But, what if the model in question is a live python? How do you direct and tell a snake what to do?

During last week’s episode, the contestants had to interpret the theme “Temptation” through the use of models and snakes. To help them with the challenge, the contestants were given a Nikon D3X. Austin Ng said: “The Nikon D3X camera is a solid performer in the studio with its high resolution images and fast response time.”

PHOTO: SNAKE CHARMER
Austin Ng, 34, Technical Music Executive

The snake, which represents temptation, is seducing the girl to transform into a serpent and to lure her over to the dark side. As the snake advances, the girl tugs the snake away with a firm hand gesture, showing how strong she is trying to be.

Today, Wednesday, October 19, 2011, Page 28 & 29, Nikon, The Big Shot 2

Fandy Razak agreed: “I like the Nikon D3X’s quality of images produced and its noise control.”

The challenge was held at mentor photographer Alan Lim’s School of Photography studio. The contestants were given a choice of using one or two models and having them pose with live pythons among other props.

One contestant who embraced the entire experience for this challenge was Julian Kwok. It was a shot that he had wanted to try for a long time. His strategy was to make it look like a fashion magazine shoot. “The picture of the semi-naked model, who is surrounded by nature, trees and white flowers, gives the idea that she is pure. But it may be a cover as she hides behind the bushes to act innocent and gain sympathy for the mistake she has committed.”

PHOTO: TEMPTATION
Julian Kwok, 28, Tank Instructor

In the photo, the snake appears to be the one manipulating the woman as it is coiled around her body. But, if you look closely, the woman’s hands are around the snake, embracing it rather than struggling with it. So, who is the one actually in control?

Today, Wednesday, October 19, 2011, Page 28 & 29, Nikon, The Big Shot 2

On the other hand, Natasha Salleh is afraid of snakes and found the whole shoot challenging. She declared: “I hate snakes. I took a risk for today’s photo and it turned out to be quite interesting." Of her photo concept, Salleh said: “The seductress is seen as the epitome of sex. It also represents the dark side of desire and a dangerous temptation for others. Significantly, snakes are commonly seen as a symbol of temptation.”

PHOTO: SEDUCTRESS
Natasha Salleh, 25, Senior Designer

In this photo, the woman is a temptress. From the way she handles the snake, she is in control of her own temptations and her own sexuality. This is how she is able to seduce and lure others.

Today, Wednesday, October 19, 2011, Page 28 & 29, Nikon, The Big Shot 2

As for Ng, he played on a different idea of temptation for his shoot. He wanted to depict the epic struggle between the good and dark side of human nature. “In the photo, I wanted to highlight this sense of temptation by introducing the demon of resistance (the snake). The girl is trying very hard to resist the snake which is tempting and enticing her,” he said.

While all the other contestants had elaborate concepts, Razak kept his photo concept simple. “I didn’t stop to think and utilise all the equipment I had. I wished I had more time,” he said.In the end Razak’s picture won the hearts of the judges and his photo will be featured in an FHM magazine spread.

PHOTO: TEMPTATION
Fandy Razak, 32, Wedding Photographer

It was a straightforward shot of a semi-nude female holding a snake. I was focusing on the strong eye contact of the model and the snake.

Today, Wednesday, October 19, 2011, Page 28 & 29, Nikon, The Big Shot 2

Sean Tan was sent home for this round. He said: “It was a tough challenge. I just moved around, shot what I could and waited for the right moment. My weakest point was my inability to work under pressure.”

PHOTO: LUXURIA
Sean Tan, 20, Architecture Student

This photo portrays the concept of Adam and Eve with the serpent.

Today, Wednesday, October 19, 2011, Page 28 & 29, Nikon, The Big Shot 2

By NICOLETTE ONG, "At the heart of the image. In search of the next Big Shot. Brought to you by NIKON. [Part Six of Nine]"

THE BIG PICTURE

The Big Shot 2 is designed for amateur and semi-professional photographers to showcase how the power of a still image can hold over human emotions. In the second season of the local reality TV show (where the winner takes home a prize money of S$20,000), we’ll follow eight photographers in their quest to be the next Big Shot.

PHOTO: From left: Fandy Razak, Liang Xuan (eliminated), Julian Kwok, Sean Tan (eliminated), Melissa Ho (eliminated), Natasha Salleh, Austin Ng and Calvin Huang (eliminated)

PHOTO by KOH MUI FONG
Today, Wednesday, October 19, 2011, Page 28 & 29, Nikon, The Big Shot 2

The Big Shot 2 is shown on MediaCorp TV Channel 5 every Wednesday at 9pm from Sept 14 to Nov 2, 2011. It is also available on xinmsn.com’s Catch-Up TV.

Visit www.facebook.com/thebigshotonline for episode synopses, scenes from the show, exciting contests and photographs by the contestants.

At the heart of the image, in search of the next Big Shot, is brought to us by NIKON.

WHAT’S ON [Part Six of Nine]

The contestants are tested on their ability to give directions to the models and style them for a portrait shot.

Will they be able to showcase the models’ best personalities? Find out!

PHOTO: Without title by James White

5 centuries of eroticism filled with cobras, tears, ropes, sea foam…. animals and objects which may look innocent but that art has transformed into erotic symbols. Need some proof? These symbols constantly repeat themselves throughout history with the same meaning… that’s the case of the snake always linked to temptation since Genesis. Rachel Weisz used a python to hide her charms in front of James White’s camera.

http://www.atractivoquenobello.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/1255702139_extras_albumes_0.jpg
http://davidhuerta.typepad.com/blog/2010/05/tears-of-eros-thyssen-bornemisza-atractivoquenobello.html
http://www.atractivoquenobello.com/2009/10/20/tears-of-eros-thyssen-bornemisza-madrid/