Wedding and Portrait Photographers International 2016 - A photographic adventure in Las Vegas
Anyone that knows me will be aware of my obsession with Las Vegas. It started nearly 15 years ago now when I married my beautiful wife at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel on the strip and we have been back pretty much every year since.
I have just (well 4 weeks ago... life has interfered with my ability to post this piece up to now) returned from yet another trip and whilst I did need to take a much needed break, photography wasn't far from my mind as I was also there for the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) conference and expo at the MGM Grand. I have attended the conference before and it really is hugely helpful in terms of learning, inspiring and reinvigorating yourself in what can be a pretty lonely industry to work in at times.
I was lucky enough to take some amazing classes by people such as Justin and Mary Marantz, Chuck Arlund, Rick Ferro, Ewan and Brianna Phelan, Rob Greer and Bob and Dawn Davies. I also met many other wonderful folks, including the lovely ladies involved with Denise Birdsongs 'Stripped Down' Boudoir photography courses (hello LeZandra, Jana et al!)...
I also managed to grab a quick chat and selfie (which is an awful picture, so it's staying on my phone) with my hero and greatest inspiration Joe Buissink. I can't (and will never stop) thanking him for changing my life a while back. Thanks again Joe.
I really can't recommend WPPI highly enough to photographers. I know it is a long way to go and it is very expensive to get there from the UK, but I truly have learnt so much and met so many awesome people it is worth every penny. I can't go next year as I have a wedding booked at the same time, but I will absolutely be back at some point in the future that's for sure.
Anyway, aside from the many amazing classes, parties, exhibitions, parties, seminars and parties that we went to, I also took a few photographs! I mainly shot with my Fuji X-T1 during our holiday but also bust out a couple of film cameras now and again for good measure ... a Canon AE-1 for 35mm and my gorgeous and treasured Bronica Sq for medium format. Here are a few (ok a lot) of the images I took whilst away... more or less just strolling up and down the strip but with a few from the odd roadtrip thrown in for good measure. I should thank Ag Photolabs in Birmingham for their wonderful developing / scanning skills. I have barely touched the film images you see here. Digital files were processed in Lightroom using VSCO.
So here goes. There are a lot of images so.........
My favourite image from our trip. We were making our way from NYNY to the MGM Grand and I noticed that the sun was directly behind the statue. Metering for the sun threw the NYNY into silhouette and I just waited for the roller coaster to make its way into view before taking the picture. I did think about editing out the power lines, but they are there and I don't like to change things just for the sake of it. Fuji XT-1 with 23mm lens at f14, 1/4000 ISO 200.
The Bellagio Fountains are probably the most photographed thing in Vegas. It's not stretching things to describe them as iconic. As the sun goes down in the afternoon it tends to poke through between the Cosmopolitan and Bellagio, creating beautiful pools of light in certain sections of the lake. Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f5.6, 1/1000s ISO 200.
Another favourite spot of mine to photograph later in the day. Caesars Palace from the footbridge near Ballys. Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f5.6, 1/1000s ISO 200.
I hadn't shot with Ektar 100 before this trip and decided that the Bellagio Conservatory would be a great place to give it a go thanks to all the beautiful colours. I'm pleased I did! Bronica SQ and 80mm f2.8 lens with Kodak Ektar 100 120 film.
Crytals and Planet Hollywood! Fuji X-T1 with 18mm lens at f5.6, 1/450s ISO 200.
This photograph was taken from just outside the Excalibur hotel, looking over the footbridge to NYNY. I like how the pedestrians are looking towards the statue, mirroring it (sort of!). Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f4.5, 1/2900s ISO 200.
Fairly sure this caravan isn't going anywhere soon. Nelson, Nevada. Bronica SQ with 80mm f2.8 lens and Kodak Ektar 100 120 film.
Flamingo Las Vegas. Canon AE-1 with 50mm f1.4 lens and Kodak Ektar 100 35mm film. Just LOVE the colours that Ektar produces!
:-) Canon AE-1 and 50mm 1.4 lens with Kodak Tri-X 400.
Another 35mm film photograph from out at Nelson. Canon AE-1 with 50mm 1.4 lens and Kodak Ektar 100 35mm film.
My first photograph taken on the trip... an early morning stroll (thanks jet lag) on the strip. Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f5.6, 1/450s ISO 200.
This picture was taken early morning whilst we were walking from the Planet Hollywood parking garage to the strip (I will do anything to avoid walking through a shopping mall!). Fuji X-T1 with 18mm lens at f5.6, 1/2500 ISO 200.
The Venetian Hotel and Casino is gorgeous. The level of detail put into the design is stunning. Whilst its not my favourite hotel in town (something to do with the scent they pump into the casino) it is a lovely place to grab a meal. We had just finished dining at Buddy V's (a great restaurant... highly recommended) and I wanted to try a slightly long exposure to blur the people passing through the hotel lobby. Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens, f8.0, 1s ISO 200.
I took this image as I wanted to test a new lens for my Fuji cameras. I have recently invested in Fuji's beautiful XF90 f2 lens... I wanted something with a little longer reach but also love the feel of image compression you get with a long lens so I decided to photograph these advertisements outside of Planet Hollywood to get a feel for it. Fuji X-T1 with 90mm lens at f.2.0, 1/4000s ISO 200.
Another obligatory fountains shot! I found this a little tricky to meter but it worked out fine! Bronica SQ and 80mm f2.8 lens with Kodak Ektar 100 120 film.
A few images from Boulder City. We make it a priority to get out to Boulder for a few hours every trip. It's a great escape from the madness of Vegas. Canon AE-1 and 50mm 1.4 lens with Kodak Ektar 100 35mm film.
Las Vegas rush hour. The level of traffic in town has increased dramatically in the few short years we have been visiting. This photograph was taken from a footbridge overlooking Tropicana looking towards the I-15 at around 4pm ish. Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens f5.6, 1/1250s ISO 200.
As I noted earlier, I am no fan of shopping malls. However, I do love the design of the Crystals mall at City Centre. I've taken this photograph before, but I wanted a colour version so retook it on this trip. The aircraft was a lucky coincidence... I love how it's path mirrors the lines of the building. Fuji X-T1 with 18mm lens, f5.6, 1/1100s ISO 200.
Another shot from Nelson. Bronica SQ and 80mm f2.8 lens with Kodak Ektar 100.
HAHA... Only in Vegas. Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens f4.0, 1/1250 ISO 200.
Another of my favourite photographs taken during our holiday. There's something really special about the late afternoon / early evening in Vegas. The sun is going down over the mountains and the neon is just starting to be switched on. I wanted to cast the trees into silhouette and show a bit of detail in the casino sign. Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f2.8, 1/3200 ISO 200.
I decided to include this image in this post not because its a great image... it certainly isn't, but because of the colours... they are just so vibrant! Photographers (myself included) spend so much time looking for the elusive perfect colour finish to our digital files but sometimes, all you need is film. Canon AE-1 and 50mm 1.4 lens with Kodak Ektar 35mm film.
Paris Las Vegas and Ballys, taken (I think... can't quite remember, I'm getting old...) from outside the Cosmopolitan. Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f5.6, 1/1250 ISO 200.
Another image from our day out at Nelson. I really liked the patina on this old Ford truck (Patina... you can tell I watch to many old car programs) and wanted to get a half decent photo of it. Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f6.4, 1/320s ISO 200.
Here are a few images taken during a few hours out at Mt. Charleston. Who would of thought an Englishman would need to fly all the way to Nevada to see snow during the Winter! Bronica SQ with 80mm f2.8 lens and Kodak Ektar 100 120 film.
The same idea as the previous image of the Bellagio fountains... this time taken from the walkway to the Hotel opposite Planet Hollywood. Fuji X-T1 with 90mm at f3.2, 1/2400 ISO 200.
One more from Nelson. I can't recommend taking the time to visit this little town any higher if you are at all interested in photography. We decided to go a few days before WPPI as I knew that quite a few shoots were planned there during the convention... and we had the place to ourselves :-) Bronica SQ with 80mm f2.8 lens and Kodak Ektar 100 120 film.
This might be my favourite 35mm film image from our trip. Shot from the pedestrian bridge between Cosmopolitan and City Centre I love the colours and the distortion from the joints in the glass. Canon AE-1 and 50mm 1.4 lens with Kodak Ektar 100 35mm film.
Some people just can't cope with Vegas! My wife pointed out that were it not for the cars and architecture this shot looks like it was taken in the 50's! Canon AE-1 and 50mm f1.4 lens with Tri-X 400 35mm film.
Another test shot with my new XF90 lens. Pretty sharp eh! Fuji X-T1 with 90mm lens at f3.6, 1/1250s ISO 200.
'Old Friends' (metaphorically speaking you understand). We have seen this truck making it's way up and down the strip every day during every trip we have made over the last 15 years. It's looking a little bit worn now but the ladies haven't aged one bit! Fuji X-T1 with 90mm lens at f4.0, 1/3500 ISO 200.
Another image showing my love for the design of Crystals. It really is a stunning piece of architecture. Fuji X-T1 with 90mm lens at f5.6, 1/1900s ISO 200.
The less said about this picture the better. Fuji X-T1 with 23mm at f2.5, 1/1250 ISO 1600.
Another image from my walk testing the XF90 lens out. This is just a scene I liked.. shadows, lines, shapes... all of the things I love! Fuji X-T1 with 90mm lens at f5.6, 1/4000s ISO 200.
A favourite image from Nelson. Bronica SQ with 80mm f2.8 lens and Kodak Ektar 100 120 film.
Kind of a quirky image this one. As the sun goes down it reflects one of the signs on the Flamingo hotel onto the wall of the Cromwell hotel. I really like this image.. even if I have no idea what the fella in the bottom left hand corner is doing! Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f2.8, 1/2200 ISO 200.
No real need to say a great deal about this image :-(
The Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas. Canon AE-1 with 50mm f1.4 lens and Kodak Ektar 100 35mm film.
Another exercise with lines, shapes and shadow. These palms are just outside the Planet Hollywood parking garage. Fuji X-T1 with 18mm lens at f5.6, 1/1000s.
Having been up the real one last year, I had to take another photograph of the 'other' one! Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f3.6, 1/680s ISO 200.
Another silhouette... Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f4.0, 1/1250s ISO 200.
Miley, Michael and Marilyn at Madame Tussauds. Fuji XT1 with 23 1.4 lens.
Angels heralding your arrival into Caesars Palace, taken from the Bellagio footbridge. This kind of shows the effect of lens compression (The Trump hotel is a lot further away than it appears in this image). Fuji X-T1 with 90mm lens at f2.8, 1/4000 ISO 200.
My favourite spot in Vegas. Directly opposite the Porte Cochere at the Bellagio there is a lovely little fountain and gardens. You get a stunning view of the fountain show and the Paris Hotel doesn't look any better.... another favourite photograph. It's kind of cool to note that the fountains were undergoing daily maintenance at this point and you can see them raised up out of the water in this image. Fuji X-T1 with 18mm at f8.0, 1/500s ISO 200.
One last photograph of the Bellagio Fountains. You can just about see the restaurant 'Prime' in the background... cannot recommend it highly enough. Fuji X-T1 with 90mm lens at f5.6, 1/1000s ISO 200.
I love Margaritaville. It's not cool, the food is so-so at best and it is a tourist trap... but I love it all the same. I took this photograph as I like the colour and shape of the sails together with the Palm trees and shadows. Fuji X-T1 with 90mm lens at f3.2, 1/3800s ISO 200.
A shot out towards the Colorado River from Nelson, Nevada. Bronica SQ with 80mm f2.8 lens and Kodak Ektar 100 120 film.
You have to give this guy a lot of credit. Every day he was there sharing his message... and considering the length of time it takes to cross the strip at this point, he had a captive audience that's for sure! Fuji X-T1 with 90mm lens at f2.0, 1/1700 ISO200.
Tropicana Las Vegas. Canon AE-1 with 50mm f1.4 lens and Tri-X 400 35mm film.
The monorail linking Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay. Another test shot of the 90mm lens. Fuji X-T1 with 90mm lens at f5.0, 1/1400s ISO 200.
This photograph is of the pedestrians looking down from the footbridge between Planet Hollywood and the Cosmopolitan. They are watching one of the many street performers that have sprung up over the last few years. I took this image as I liked the silhouettes of the people, together with the reflection of the Planet Hollywood facade on the glass. Fuji X-T1 with 90mm lens at f4.0, 1/950s ISO 200.
This was a bit of an 'economical' visit so we decided to stay at the Excalibur hotel (it's location over the street from the MGM Grand where my conference was taking place was also a deciding factor). Here are a couple of shots of the view from our room. It always fascinates me just how close to the strip the Airport is! Bronica SQ with 80mm f2.8 lens and Kodak Ektar 100 120 film.
Paris Las Vegas taken from the Bellagio sidewalk. Canon AE-1 and 50mm 1.4 lens with Tri-X 400 35mm film.
This photograph is of the crashed plane from the movie '3000 miles to Graceland'. It's located in Nelson. Bronica SQ and 80mm f2.8 lens with Kodak Ektar 100 120 film.
Another silhouette at NYNY. Canon AE-1 and 50mm 1.4 lens with Kodak Ektar 100 35mm film.
When I see this sign, I know that I am 'home'! Mirage Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. Canon AE-1 and 50mm f1.4 lens with Tri-X 400 35mm film.
A couple more long expsosures now... not something I do much of to be honest. This photo, take from the NYNY - Excalibur footbridge has many elements that I like. The lights of the traffic on Tropicana, the blurred flags etc. But the thing I like most was a complete fluke... the light trail from an aircraft taking off from McCarran airport! Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f16, 7.5s ISO 200.
My last photograph of our wonderful holiday. Another long exposure this time from outside Excalibur towards MGM Grand. Fuji X-T1 with 23mm lens at f16, 16s ISO 200.
What a country.... I do love the USA. Thank you for having us and being so amazingly warm and welcoming. Canon AE-1 with 50mm f1.4 lens and Kodak Ektar 100 35mm film.
All images © John Colson. Not for reproduction.