Shane Lavalette

2 Comments

1. Michele
   November 8, 2010 – 11:01 pm

   This is hysterical! I especially love the first two and how they are like an innuendo of one another. I almost wish the order was switched so that you see them first all in front of the painting of the Swiss mountains and then you see them standing on the Swiss mountains almost as if the jumped into the picture. Scrolling through at first I didn’t think they were photoshopped at all, but then I got to the last two, and it became obvious. Once I knew they were photoshopped it kind of ruined it for me a little, but I still really enjoyed the people shaping the bring and found it quite amusing. The series as a whole is just very cool. Obviously it grabs you right away because it’s a bunch of naked people, but you quickly realize it is much more than that. I’m not really sure what exactly he is trying to get across or portray, maybe nothing, and it is just meant to be viewed and enjoyed. And if that truly was the goal, then a big high five to him.

2. Gilead
   December 2, 2011 – 9:23 pm

   This comment is a response to Michele. I would like to un-ruin your enjoyment of Spencer’s prints. I have worked with Spencer on numerous occasions, and I can assure you that he has never photoshopped any of his images. He shoots on film with a Mamiya 67, and prints directly from film.

   The setup in Amsterdam used a small bridge which was set up in such a way, that once the people were on it, it was completely obscured. A video clip of how this was made to work can be found here:
   http://vimeo.com/8580334
   and the segment relating to the bridge begins at around 4:14. I was present at this installation, and watched it take place.

   The print from New Mexico has some of the participants in water, which is the reason the hue in the centre of the picture is darker. I was not at this installation, but I have seen the full size print – it is quite stunning.

   So just to assure you – everything you see in the pictures is as it happened, no photoshop.