doré x
This month we’re pleased to welcome a supremely gifted photographer and his beautiful muse, a couple who post on Flickr as doré x.
For those who know their work there, the couple will need no introduction, regularly posting pictures of the highest quality, whilst commenting generously on those posted by others.
Stylish, witty, erotic – and frequently featuring high heels and seamed stockings – their images have been viewed over 40 million times, with more than 10,000 people following their account.
Remarkably – enigmatically – they follow no one…
Q1: When did you first start taking photographs? What interested you at that time?
doré x: We shared a mutual interest in photography from when we first met way back in Sixth Form! It appealed to our creative side and photography was one of the practical study options. Obviously this was in the days before the advent of digital cameras, and we used the college Praktika cameras, which were fully mechanical SLRs with film, being cheap and rugged workhorses. Essentially it was great fun and covered the entire process from the theory onto processing, and this laid the foundations of what turned into a lifelong interest.
Q2: What camera did you use then? When did you first start to use digital cameras?
doré x: Initially we contented ourselves with the use of the college Prakticas. However our journey really began, when quite soon we received a compact Rollei 35 (ideal for street photography) as a birthday gift and then soon after we purchased a Rolleiflex SLR. We stayed loyal to Rollei until the mid eighties when we switched to Nikon, in the shape of an F301. It was a revelation at the time, as it was the first to incorporate a motorised film advance! We didn’t switch to digital until around 2006 with the purchase of a Nikon D70. A watershed development for us as it meant that for the first time we could effectively take unlimited shots, without the inherent cost and limitations of film, together with the pleasure of DIY editing. We have remained primarily with the Nikon ecosystem ever since until the present, currently using the D6 and Z9. This is augmented with a Leica Q3 for street photography.
Q3: What do you most enjoy photographing?
doré x: It can be anything really, from the quite mundane to obviously worthy subject matter, the treasure being archive family shots down through the years, priceless!
In terms of preference and getting our pulses going, it has to be aviation, street, wildlife and portraiture. The more evocative thread to our story is an almost life long passion for stockings and heels started in the late seventies. It is perhaps extraordinary today to think that nylons were then still an item of everyday wear, albeit the utility of tights was rapidly supplanting them. However it was the advent of the digital camera that opened the opportunity for us to begin the next element of this passion and begin to capture the essence of our muse and take photos of Doré.
Our prime influence initially was the sultry aesthetics in the Tinto Brass and early French VMD films of the 1980’s/90’s. Initially we did not show or publish any of our photos, that was until coming across ‘Stockings and Heels’! A web site for like minded individuals who could post their shots for other members to comment on.
The photos very often took the form of progressive sequences, sometimes narrative driven, with a loose storyline or commentary. A great community and unique for it’s time. Upon its demise in around 2016(?) we started posting on Flickr, obviously a very different experience being a world wide site for all photographic genres.
Our main enjoyment derives from putting together capsule wardrobes and being able to undertake a photo shoot on our travels, or occasionally at home. Sometimes we like to combine the spark of such a photo shoot, situationally with another interest be it street photography or transport for example.
Q4: Top tip for shooting a great picture outdoors – and indoors
doré x: Mastering a basic understanding of your camera is always beneficial, although most modern cameras have such excellent auto modes this is not such a barrier.
Light is fundamental and for that reason many of our outdoor shoots are either at dawn or just before dusk. The light is gaining/fading allowing for a more creative and flattering look.
Outside there is very often no need for flash, although this can enhance the look and is vital if shooting into the sun. Indoors again so much depends on lighting levels, so often a flash is essential but not always.
One element that should be considered is using whatever mood lighting is available as opposed to relying on ambient light. If you edit your photos remember it’s always easier to under expose the original and lighten, than over expose and recover blown highlights!
As for composition and cropping etc, this is very much personal taste, just remember not to get caught out inadvertently with mirrors!
Without a doubt the most important element is feeling ‘in the mood’ on both sides of the camera – it is a fun activity. It’s way easier for the photographer, so a high degree of rapport with your partner is key. The best results come when the ‘model’ feels confident and happy.
If shooting outside where communication might be difficult for reasons of discretion and or physical distance, you both need shared signals, denoting things like whether the pose is good, or your partner needs to be closer/further away etc – and also when you have ‘got the shot’. A little preparation goes a long way to coping with the unexpected.
One thing we have learned, when shooting, if the positive energy is missing, and the vibe is off, then either pause for a while, or leave for another time. There are no rigid rules, it’s what works for you.
Q5: Favourite/most useful gadget or accessory – what helps you take great pictures?
doré x: One idea is where your camera has a cold shoe, to utilise a mobile camera mount to give added operational flexibility. We have mentioned the use of flash which can be a game changer, so perhaps augmenting this with a simple off camera flash set up to introduce multiple light sources. This can add a welcome ‘pop’ to many situations.
Not a gadget exactly but mobile phones now carry such excellent cameras with versatile modes that cater for so many situations and allow for spontaneity, especially in diverse settings.
Q6: We ask our guest photographers to share two of their photographs – which two did you pick – and why?
doré x: The first was taken on a very recent holiday when we were staying at a beach front hotel. Being west facing there are great sunsets and so we decided to take a few shots, a typical ‘golden hour’ opportunity.
We could not shoot into the sun to create the classic halo effect, but captured the warm hues and lifted the shadows with a flash.
The second was taken street style at the gritty Paris Austerlitz railway station. An everyday setting, but presenting several challenges, the most obvious being other people and the second being low ambient light as part of the station in in an undercroft.
In the interests of being inconspicuous, Mrs D wore boots and changed into heels whilst seated. We would not normally use flash in such a situation, so without killing the mood, this was directed vertically and bounced off the ceiling
Q7: If offered an all-expenses paid assignment, anywhere in the world – where would you go, what would you shoot?