FIRST PLACE TATTOO PHOTO CONTEST WINNER JUNE 2006

Photograph is © Patricia Steur

© PATRICIA STEUR

Title: Kingi Taurua

Photographer's Comment: Moko is a more holistic way to approach a tattoo. All three pictures were taken in collaboration with tattoo artist Gordon Toi Hatfield. Of the three, Kingi and Reweti are from Gordon's clan, the Ngapuhi from the North Island of New Zealand and Jada is from the Ngati Kauwhata, which is a Tainui sub-tribe. The pictures were taken in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Little did we know at the time, we were actually making the book  'Dedicated by Blood' which was launched later in November 2002. What most struck me when taking these pictures, was the pride in their faces, the clearness in their consciousness of being Maori. Times have changed and the Maori came from out of the shadows into the light. Gordon played a big part in opening up the sacred pathways. Ara Tapu.

All pictures were taken with Hasselblad 6x6

Interview with Patricia Steur (June 2006 Tattoo Photo Contest Winner)

Do you remember the first time you saw a tattoo, and what your  reaction was?
THE FIRST TIME I SAW A TATTOO CLOSE-UP WAS ON HENK SCHIFFMACHER'S BODY. IT WAS AN ARIES, HIS BIRTH SIGN IN THE HOROSCOPE. I FOUND IT TOTALLY INTRIGUING AND ATTRACTIVE.

Do you have any tattoos yourself?
YES, THE FIRST ONE FROM BOB ROBERTS ON MY ARM. 1980 - A CLAPPER BOARD WITH MUSICAL NOTES, (MAKING MUSIC VIDEO CLIPS). SECOND AND THIRD ONE FROM DAN THOME 1985 BOTH DONE BY HAND WITH TRADITIONAL TOOLS. A THUNDERBIRD ON MY BACK AND A STYLIZED DOLPHIN IN THE INSIDE OF MY ARM DONE IN THE MICRONESIAN WAY. A FOURTH ONE IN 1991 FROM HENK SCHIFFMACHER A TAHITIAN ANKLE BAND. FIFTH 1999 AND SIXTH 2002 BOTH FROM GORDON TOI HATFIELD. HE STARTED OUT ON MY OTHER ANKLE AND GRADUALLY WENT UP ON MY CALF. ALL TATTOOS AND MOKO'S WERE PRESENTS.

As a photographer, do you approach shooting a model with body art any differently than a model without tattoos??
WHEN A MODEL HAS TATTOOS, I LOOK FOR THE BEST ANGLE TO PHOTOGRAPH SO I CAN SEE THE TATTOO BETTER.

Any tips for working with models who have tattoos?
FOR ME I CAN NEVER PHOTOGRAPH THE TATTOO WITHOUT THE PERSON. SOME DETAIL SHOTS YES, BUT NEVER WITHOUT SHOWING THE PERSON. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SEE THE FACE THAT GOES WITH THE TATTOO. I ALWAYS WONDER ABOUT THE STORY BEHIND IT.

Are tattoos and body modifications a problem in other work that you do? Do you ever have to shoot around tattoos or use cover-up make-up?
LUCKILY NEVER. I AM IN THE FAMOUS PEOPLE BUSINESS AND NOT SO MUCH IN FASHION. IF IT IS FASHION IT IS WITH ACTORS OR SINGERS AND I WILL NOT GO OUT OF MY WAY TO HIDE ANY TATTOO. IT IS ANOTHER STORY ABOUT THAT PERSON WHICH I FIND INTERESTING.

What is it about a particular tattoo or model with tattoos that you find interesting? Have you ever seen a tattoo, or a person with tattoos and said, "I have to shoot that!"?
TATTOOS I GET IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE PERSON. IT IS ALL INTERESTING TO ME. I DO NOT DISCRIMINATE HERE.

What would be your advice to someone who wants a great photo that shows their body art to its best advantage?
UNDRESS! (AND GOOD LIGHTING WILL DEFINITELY HELP)

What is the biggest difference between shooting editorial work - say for someone like Bob Baxter at Skin & Ink - and working in a studio?
THEY ARE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES. IN THE STUDIO YOU CONTROL EVERYTHING AND ON LOCATION YOU DON'T. BOTH STYLES HAVE THEIR ATTRACTION.

Any tips for taking good photos at tattoo conventions?
IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, FIND A SPACE TO MAKE A STUDIO AND INVITE PEOPLE IN THERE. YOU HAVE PEACE AND QUITE THERE TO CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL AND DIFFERENT. OR ELSE HANG A PEACE OF BLACK CLOTH AND PUT A LAMP ON THE MODEL, TO MAKE INTERESTING SHADOWS. DAYLIGHT IS ALSO BEAUTIFUL. THAT IS WHAT I USED FOR KINGI ON THE TERRACE.

What do you think of the growing numbers of celebrities and models who have tattoos?
IT IS A SIGN OF THE TIMES. EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE LESS PEOPLE NOT TATTOOED THAN TATTOOED.

What tips would you give to the home photographer, tattoo enthusiast or tattoo artist who wants to take a great photograph of a tattoo?
LET YOUR IMAGINATION FREE AND WITH ALL THE PASSION IN YOUR HEART, GO FOR IT. DON'T THINK OF WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPH. JUST HAVE FUN! AND BE THERE IN THE MOMENT.

What would be your dream tattoo photography assignment?
GO TRAVEL WITH GORDON TOI HATFIELD AND FAMILY SOME MORE IN THE PACIFIC AND PHOTOGRAPH WHAT HE MOKO'S. AND NEXT TO IT THE TRADITIONAL ONES IN THAT AREA. I CAME TO THE AMAZING DISCOVERY THAT A LOT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WANT TOI'S MOKO. WHEN I ASK WHY THEY WANT MAORI DESING AND NOT THEIR OWN, THEY ANSWER THAT THEY ARE ALL FROM ONE FAMILY. INTERESTING ISN'T IT?

Patricia
Patricia Steur Photography BV
Industrieweg 4
3628 EZ Kockengen
The Netherlands
T +31-(0)346-562696
F +31-(0)346-562214
M +31-(0)615072490
E patricia@patriciasteur.com
H www.patriciasteur.com

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