Blog #171  8/18/16

The challenge and fun of magazine beauty editorials, is to create something original, while still making sure that beauty is the star. This note is as much about figuring out the solution to a problem as is the making of original images.

MERINGUE
I came upon the idea of using meringue (sugar and egg whites that can be shaped into all sorts of forms). How to do it, how to combine the sweet, fluffy and heavy stuff with the sweet and delightful faces of beautiful models?

My first step was to solve the problem of supporting a bed of meringue, which has the consistency of heavy whipped cream, around a model’s head without having it drip all over her body. I devised a diaphragm in the form of a rubber sheet to be stretched over her and secured to a metal frame. A slit or hole was cut in the middle to fit it tightly around her body. With a secure, firm fit, I felt reasonably certain it would keep the meringue from dripping down. We’ll see……..

Holding the rubber sheet, my assistants, Lauren and Laura, help the model step into the central slit/hole to fit it tightly around the model’s body.

The model, Justyna, is placed on a comfortable recliner—-she will need to stay in this position for hours while the meringue is placed, a design created, and photography done. The rubber sheet holding fast around her is attached to the metal frame.

The rubber diaphragm is stretched and clamped to the metal frame around another model, Marla.

Then stiff, corrugated plastic sheets, cut precisely to fit for the position of the model, are placed over the rubber diaphragm. The plastic won’t sag with the weight of the meringue.

Soft tape holding rubber foam was placed on the cut edge of the plastic for the model Honorine’s comfort.

Honorine

The skilled, talented food stylist, Nir Adar, created the meringue masterpieces.

Loni Bauer did the make-up, and Wendy Isles did the models’ hair, making terrific hair pieces.

Justyna

For this image, the diaphragm/plastic/frame contraption was tilted and rows of shallow ridges were placed to keep the meringue from sliding and losing its shape. Loni Bauer does final touch-ups on Ilona’s makeup.

Ilona

For an image that was meant to evoke the idea of “cake,” a frame was placed around the model, Ai-Li.

Adar creates.

And then poses for a working man’s portrait!

The result: Ai-Li, the cake!

Hair stylist Wendy Isles protects her artistic work on model Beatrice, while Adar does his own.

With all the finishing touches done, Beatrice emerges.

Adar forming the bed of meringue.

And in the finished image, Amy

A “rough draft” of meringue for Marla.

With the added design.

Voila!  Marla

Before Alana is “fitted’ into the contraption, I make a snap of us together.

Alana

All the photographs are made, now what?!

When the shoot was completed, we needed to separate the model from the meringue and the contraption.

Sometimes the models couldn’t resist.

Happy, about to be set free.

Free at last!

Showering off the meringue

Glitterati Incorporated, the publisher of the Retrospective, Schatz Images: 25 Years is now offering the two- book boxed set at a discount from the original price. The set comes with an 11″x14” print of the buyer’s choice.
http://schatzimages25years-glitterati.com