Stephen DiRado - some are probably thinking "Who?"

hoffy · Feb 12, 2022

Over the last few years, I have become rather enamoured with the photography of Stephen DiRado, who posts regularly on the Facebook Large Format Photography group.

Of particular note for me, I particularly like his 8x10 portraits of the people who frequent Aquinnah Beach:
(warning - contains normal people nude)
https://stephendirado.com/beach/
https://stephendirado.com/statement/?pageid=339

There are a few things that grab me about his photography:

His lighting techniques - There is something about it. I can immediately identify his work. I have spoken to him on facebook before and he has said he uses a home made modifier on a handheld flash. I can also see that he uses a simple silver reflector.
His subject matter, specifically his beach portraits.

I have to admit, nude and clothing optional beaches fascinate me - not that I am a participant (I am too timid). I think its the whole idea of people enjoying the freedom of nakedness, without having to be sexual. Also, it sounds like the people who particularly frequent the beach he shoots at, are genuinely interesting people.

Anyhow, thought I would share. I hope someone else gets something out of his work as well

Cheers

Nodda Duma · Feb 12, 2022

I see his posts pop up in the FB group and really enjoy his series shot down in the Worcester MA area

hoffy · Feb 13, 2022

Nodda Duma said:
I see his posts pop up in the FB group and really enjoy his series shot down in the Worcester MA area

That and his Mall series are proper snapshots of time.

Richard Man · Feb 13, 2022

One of the best, IMHO

Tom Kershaw · Feb 13, 2022

Excellent range of work on his site, well composed and thought through.

Don_ih · Feb 13, 2022

He has a real mastery of exposure. And he's probably the most dedicated photographer you're ever likely to come across. He eats and breathes photography.

Deleted member 88956 · Feb 13, 2022

Seems from few responses that everybody has to like him or …

I say nice pics but what is so special about most of them? Take the first one that comes up from that link. Looks like white reflective panel is just to the left of frame, lighting on the dress looks fake.

Don_ih · Feb 13, 2022

VTLD said:
I say nice pics but what is so special about most of them?

On their own, nothing is special about any of them - certainly depending on what you consider special. His photography is essentially honest and free of contrivance. He does photographic projects - but they all essentially do the same thing. His photos are humane.

As for his lighting - yes, he uses a reflector and he uses flashbulbs. The majority of his work is 8x10 on hp5+, tray developed, contact printed.

Alan Edward Klein · Feb 13, 2022

If you go to his video section, there one called Summer Spent Trailer that shows him taking these photos and how he goes about it.

SchwinnParamount · Feb 13, 2022

It would be difficult to reproduce that kind of work here in the states. I am a frequenter of nude beaches and while there are always a great many nude bodies of all varieties, there are never cameras. You'd have to get a group of people alone on a beach and all of them to sign releases before you could bring out a camera.

<Digression>

In my work as a life drawing model for various colleges in the area, I never allow a camera or cell phone in the studio. You just never know where any photograph of my nude body may show up - and without my permission. That being said, I would have no problem at all posing alone or in a group of people for the purposes of art photography and only if the images were to appear in print only. No internet publication. As a photographer, I have always wanted to make pictures of nudes, male or female. Unfortunately, there are few people in my area who are willing to be my subjects. It seems that if you want to do nude photography in the studio, you entice models by showing them what you already know how to do with nude bodies. I have nothing to show.

</Digression>

I admire a photographer who has the courage to take a camera to a nude beach and convince the people there to sit still while he fiddles about with the camera. I don't know if I could do that.

Don_ih · Feb 13, 2022

SchwinnParamount said:
It would be difficult to reproduce that kind of work here in the states.

Stephen DiRado's photos are all taken in the US. He invests a great deal of time situating himself in the environment (community) he wants to photograph. They let him take photos because they trusted him.

Alan Edward Klein · Feb 13, 2022

Don Heisz said:
Stephen DiRado's photos are all taken in the US. He invests a great deal of time situating himself in the environment (community) he wants to photograph. They let him take photos because they trusted him.

Trusts him how?

Don_ih · Feb 13, 2022

Alan Edward Klein said:
Trusts him how?

How does someone trust a photographer? You trust the photographer is taking a photo that is representative, that is not exploitative, that does not demean or disrespect the subject. It's pretty much the same way you would trust anyone.

hoffy · Feb 14, 2022

Don Heisz said:
How does someone trust a photographer? You trust the photographer is taking a photo that is representative, that is not exploitative, that does not demean or disrespect the subject. It's pretty much the same way you would trust anyone.

Very good response!

Its one thing for a photographer to either hire or collaborate with a model, who in all intents and purposes, is a performer. They are there to do a job and (within reason) provide the look that the photographer or both of them want to achieve. Its the same if model or even a person off the street were to commission the photographer - there is an intent.

But to engage people who may at first meet, be complete strangers? And that these people may be at a level of vulnerability, being in certain levels of undress?

I know this is not everyone's thing. Neither is street photography. Neither are landscapes. Neither are taking closeup photos of cars (I should know - some days I feel like I am the most ignored photographer on the internet!). But he has found one particular project that I think he has owned and owned rather well (without taking away from his other projects, which have merit in their own right).

Alex Benjamin · Feb 14, 2022

Alan Edward Klein said:
Trusts him how?

You trust a photographer because he engages with you as a human being, not as a photographer.

Alan Edward Klein · Feb 14, 2022

Alex Benjamin said:
You trust a photographer because he engages with you as a human being, not as a photographer.

Since these are nudes, the engagement must be a little different than normal engagement when a photographer shoot subjects who are dressed. So I was trying to get a little bit more of a clarification.

Vaughn · Feb 14, 2022

It's the camera, too. It is a classic tool...not sneaking around with an iphone grabbing photos. There is time to relate to one's subject...and the other way round, too.

SchwinnParamount · Feb 14, 2022

Vaughn said:
It's the camera, too. It is a classic tool...not sneaking around with an iphone grabbing photos. There is time to relate to one's subject...and the other way round, too.

That's right. The nude beaches I go to have seen their share of sneaky fully dressed dudes wandering around the beach pretending to talk on the cell phones that they are holding at awkward angles. I suppose that if I showed up with a 4x5 and a tripod, took my own clothes off, and engaged the other nude people first, I might get a cooperative person. Maybe. People seem to be becoming less trusting than they were even 10 years ago. At least, around Seattle.

Alan Edward Klein · Feb 14, 2022

SchwinnParamount said:
That's right. The nude beaches I go to have seen their share of sneaky fully dressed dudes wandering around the beach pretending to talk on the cell phones that they are holding at awkward angles. I suppose that if I showed up with a 4x5 and a tripod, took my own clothes off, and engaged the other nude people first, I might get a cooperative person. Maybe. People seem to be becoming less trusting than they were even 10 years ago. At least, around Seattle.

Isn't it a little too cold in Seattle for nude beaches?

MattKing · Feb 14, 2022

Alan Edward Klein said:
Isn't it a little too cold in Seattle for nude beaches?

The temperatures here near the Pacific in the Northwest are quite temperate - we have nude beaches and naturalist clubs up here in the Vancouver area.
They are fairly seasonal.

Alan Edward Klein · Feb 14, 2022

MattKing said:
The temperatures here near the Pacific in the Northwest are quite temperate - we have nude beaches and naturalist clubs up here in the Vancouver area.
They are fairly seasonal.

So there's sort of a nude season like when birders are out taking pictures during migration season.

MattKing · Feb 14, 2022

Google "Wreck Beach"

Don_ih · Feb 14, 2022

Alan Edward Klein said:
So there's sort of a nude season like when birders are out taking pictures during migration season.

You're a funny guy - I actually laughed.

Alan Edward Klein · Feb 14, 2022

When I look at some of my pictures, I gotta laugh too.

hoffy · Feb 14, 2022

Alan Edward Klein said:
When I look at some of my pictures, I gotta laugh too.

The way I feel, I do the same when I see my own. It's like a weird, crazy maniacal laugh, followed by sobbing....

Just to get a little bit back on track, from what I've read, Stephen isn't a naturalist

Stephen DiRado - some are probably thinking "Who?"

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Stephen DiRado - some are probably thinking "Who?"

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