Gay Pride – Marriage of Warren and Corne

Corne and Warren got married, Warren is my mom’s best friend’s son and mom asked me and Lionel to organize a photo shoot with them so they can have memories of their celebration of their love. Lionel got hold of our good friend Tony, our friendly neighborhood fireman and fellow crazy and insane photographer friend to organize us a location for the wedding shoot, he managed to organize us Birchwoods Hotel, which turned out to be the perfect venue, with many gorgeous backdrops for this shoot.

The big day eventually dawned on us, and we were all so exciting, for Lionel and myself especially, because like many things this year, a gay wedding would be our first too, and this was a special one because it involved people we love and care for deeply. Corne and Warren arrived in their yellow V.W Beetle at the venue all nervous and exciting, but the day would prove to turn out into a huge success. We got cracking, taking them from the chapel to trees, to the swimming pool, all over the hotel, laughing, chatting and enjoying the atmosphere.

Once we were done at the Hotel, we decided to take them back to the studio, were Warren and Corne graciously got daring and trusted me to do some artistic nudes with them. I was so impressed with their ability in front of the camera and their personalities, Corne and Warren’s enthusiasm and love for each other was a unique package to begin with and just made this shoot a pleasure and joy to experience. Being me, I only wanted very dramatic light in studio shots of the guys. It was so funny trying to get them twisted and twirled around each other to compose the idea’s I had in my mind and to execute it that way. Now over to Lionel as he explains technique we used in two of the photographs.

Since Cinz wanted the light to be dramatic, we went with 1 and 2 light setups in most of the shots see the 2 lighting diagrams for an idea.

For this one the camera settings were ISO 400, 1/200 sec Shutter Speed, F8 Aperture Setting, we put a Grided Studio Strobe to narrow the light beam up about 70cm above them and to camera right, then angled it downwards to isolate the hands, arms and back.

Lionel

I found this article on the net, and thought I would like to share this with you all.

http://www.gayreservations.co.za/articles/gay%20flag.php

Gay Flag: The Symbol of Global Diversity

People around the world have come to recognize the gay flag, a horizontal rainbow flag, as a symbol of diversity and inclusiveness. Wherever travelers go, they know that when they see a flying rainbow flag, it means that they have come to a welcoming and accepting environment where travelers can be who they are without worry of persecution or discrimination. Fascinatingly enough, the origins and history of the gay flag, encapsulate this exact sentiment.

The rainbow flag takes root in the ancient civilization of the Incas in Peru. Today, travelers to the mountain city of Cusco can still find the rainbow flag being flown. In the 1970s, however, the flag took on its current association of an icon of the gay rights movement when San Francisco-based artist Gilbert Baker adapted it to be used in the beginnings of San Francisco’s Gay Rights struggle. Thus, the flag gained its new name, the “Freedom Flag,” and officially debuted at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade in 1978.

The colors’ of the flag are interpreted to be the following: Pint (sexuality), red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), blue (serenity), and violet (spirit).

Travelers today find the rainbow flag flying high across the various cities of South Africa. In Cape Town, the rainbow flag dominates the scene in the trendy area of De Waterkant and hangs outside nightclubs, restaurants, and shops. The flag continues to grace the streets of the Seapoint neighborhood, which has historically been a welcome home for many of South Africa’s minority communities. Johannesburg’s nightclubs continue to fly the flag proudly, welcoming gay party-goers across the city. And in many other small towns around South Africa, bed and breakfasts and restaurants alike continue to welcome gay and lesbian travelers by placing rainbow flag stickers on their windows.

The Freedom Flag is yet another symbol of South Africa’s bold diversity, great African History and growing gay pride across the country, welcoming travellers of all sexual orientations to enjoy the country free of discrimination.

Much Love, Cinz & Lionel