Sunday, January 31, 2010

Proof Sheets

This photo shoot was done in my mid-fifties by a photographer who did a lot of fashion shoots and liked my ability to work quickly, do my own hair and make up and never complain about the crap I had to wear. Apparently I was the only one to wear the dress naked underneath.

He'd found a black stretch lace dress at a secondhand store and wanted to see how it looked on fifty women of disperarte ages and sizes.  The shoot was for an art exhibit.  And these are just proof sheets, since the session was done before everyone had made the switch to digital.  This is one of two proof sheets I still posess.

I've just cut my hair like this again.

16 comments:

quin browne said...

classic looks... no surprise he chose you.

Unknown said...

Photo shoot in your 50s, wearing a sexy dress and nothing else (also in your 50s), looking hot and chill at the same time, writing about it.... so many ways that you're my hero for the day. Facing a zero birthday myself next month. Now I know what to aim for. :)

Dina
aka @SinsoftheEldest on Twitter

Gail said...

HI UTAH-

Geeze you are stunning!!

shaking my head in amazement

Love to you
Gail
peace.....

Utah Savage said...

Quin, One of 50. And a freebe. In the name of art you know.

Daughter, I have spent months ignoring my hair and getting nagged about it by a friend. So today I cut and colored my hair. When I finished I liked the result and then remembered this shoot. My hair today looks a lot like this. My face still is recognizably like this woman without the makeup and great lighting. But my body has become the body of an old woman who sits and writes all day. I'm thirty pounds heavier. I look like a pregnant old lady. The rather large breasts were always a bit pendulous but now rest on my belly most of the time, since I refuse to wear a bra unless going out in public. Thus my hatred of going out in public. Grocery store, doctors office, the rare matinee movie date with a friend. Mexican diners where no white people go but me and my neighbor at 3 in the afternoon. I once cared, but it was how I made my living. Now they way I want to make my living is by publishing a well reviewed book that catches on. This is my dream for myself now. And of course world peace and universal healthcare.

Hi Gail. Was, Gail, not are or am or is. It's the past. Has nothing to do with the present except I just cut and colored... Well you know. Those were those days, not these days. But I like my hair. Good to see you.

Unknown said...

Stunningly beautiful woman!

lisahgolden said...

Dear lord, you are gorgeous. Those cheekbones! And that haircut is perfect for your face.

Utah Savage said...

Lisa, I just went to your place and you were here. Dayum I just missed you.

yellowdoggranny said...

you are heartbreakingly beautiful

Sherry Pasquarello said...

truly beautiful!

Kulkuri said...

Ditto the above.

Wonder how much of the old style photography is still in use. Proof sheets, contact sheets, shooting a polaroid thru the camera before getting it on film, etc. etc.

Utah Savage said...

Hi Sherry

Kulkuri, I don't think any pros are using the old technology when digital makes a darkroom a thing of the past and photoshop makes editing easy for one person. I think most pros are no longer needing assistants except for maybe lighting. In many was I miss the old technology. I was a better photographer with my 35mm camera and 400 asa film.

susan said...

Glad I got to see these. Very cool.

Fran said...

what a natural beauty you are... your expressions are not forced or fake.

Thanks for the glimpse of your fun past.

darkblack said...

They make dresses naked underneath? Unpossible!

;>)

Lookin' good, kid.

Jack DeTate said...

You look and stand like Susan Sarandon. She comes to mind as someone who play you.

Wait. What? said...

Stunning. I hope to be as beautiful then.