After weeks working on proposals and grants for a new music and dance project I got a chance to get back to some photography work yesterday, creating sets and transforming my home studio into different imagined worlds.
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Dancer Iana Komarnytska, photographed at Lovely Studios in Kiev, Ukraine.
Learning x Comparing
Behind-the-scenes images and the nature of travel.
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Working from first principles
Some thoughts from the road.
Read MoreTurning 40 & 2019 Project Updates
In this post I go through the main projects I’ll be working on in 2019, including music, podcast, photography and entrepreneurship.
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New website design
Some thoughts on design and meanings, inspired by the recent relaunch of my website.
Read More© Rusalka. 2018. Pedro Bonatto.
Rusalka: reimagining a Slavic folk tale
This photo I was inspired by the stories of rusalka, something like a mermaid or water spirit, present in the folklore of Ukraine, Russia, and other Slavic countries. In this post I write about the concept and the process of creating the image through the lens of fashion and beauty photography.
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Photo by Gloria Caballero.
In your element
After finishing a massive video project this week I have a number of new shoots and personal work for the next couple of months lined up. I put together a fantastic team including hair, make up, light assistant and even a collaboration with a CGI artist. Some shoots will be very simple and others will be quite elaborate, but all are meant to push me to get new skills and shrink the gap between vision and execution.
Read MoreThe Tarot Project - First Photo
So, after a month out of social media I am back with some new projects :) Today I wanted to share the first photo on a new series I’m playing with, inspired by Tarot cards, lingerie and surreal fashion.
This one is a re-imagining of the Two of Swords, one of my favourite images from the Rider deck. To me, the original image is an exploration of balance and the unconscious, represented in the symmetrical balance of the two swords, the body of water and the blindfold. In my photo I wanted to play with the idea of a woman warrior, feminine energy and sword position implying not only masterful balance, but readiness for action.
Model: @wolf.rylee
Make up & Hair: @olena.a
Masks: @lacemask
Assistant: @gloriacaballero.photo
Photo: @pedrobonatto
PS: Special thanks to @ladytor for giving the original spark for this journey with her beautiful drawings. You should check out her work :)
Iana Komarnytska, photographed at Chichen Itza. © 2018. Pedro Bonatto
Fortress of Time
This photo is a first attempt to combine my passion for mythology, fashion, world cultures and exploration of ancient places in my new portfolio.
Read MoreThe Blue Dot Ensemble performing at the Ismaili Centre in Toronto on March 2018.
Ballads for a Pale Blue Dot
Here I talk about the genesis and future projects of the Blue Dot Ensemble, a music and dance group exploring and mixing traditions from across the planet.
Read MoreNew Projects in Photography, Music and Audio
In this post I write an update on current new projects and my goals with them, including a new podcast, a fine art online store, a world music and dance group, creative projects with my wife, and an entirely new photography portfolio. I also talk about the turning point moment in Cyprus where I decided to change the course of my career.
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A detour towards the path
Some thoughts on how seemingly impractical explorations may give insight on creative struggles.
Read MoreDirection of Sight
This was the first group scene I created for The Orientalist. In fact, it was the first group shot I ever took as a professional photographer.
Read MoreThe Letter
This photo is called The Letter, and it's basically where the whole project really started, a year ago
Read MoreA celebration
First photograph in The Orientalist series with a small discussion about the process of making it.
Read MoreTear down the wall
After a long hiatus, 'The Orientalist' is ready to be shown, and here I talk about the creative struggles of the last few months in relation to the project.
Read MoreDancer Miruna Soiu photographed for 'The Orientalist' in Toronto, Canada.
Wanderers still
Here I talk about a photograph inspired by the sea, done in collaboration with Miruna Soui, which is the first of a mini-story combining images done in 3 continents.
Read MoreThe marathon in the dungeon
Here I talk about the process of sorting, selecting and editing 7000 photos down to about 50. I also show how I'm going to use 'oriental' patterns on the backgrounds of some images.
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Shooting in Cyprus for 'The Orientalist'. Photo by Olesha Astman.
Someday is a disease: some thoughts from the road
An update from the road with some lessons learned.
Read MoreThe Orientalist goes to Europe
I am doing shoots for 'The Orientalist' in Sofia, Larnaca and Kiev in Oct-Nov. Find some information about the trip and how you can be a part of the series.
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