Matt Hill 9/15/15 Matt Hill 9/15/15

NIGHT PAPER with David Spiel

Last night we had the pleasure of working with the multi-talented David Spiel. David lent one of his arts to us last night and became a volunteer model for NIGHT PAPER. Well, I should say he became NIGHT PAPER. In amazing ways.

We found some amazing scenes at Flushing Meadows Corona Park and made another milestone in the project. I haven't counted in a while, but this is the 24th shoot in the project and how far we have come. David is also one of the longest supporters of the project, having heard me speak about it in concept over eight years ago at a post-Mermaid Parade drinking session on the boardwalk.

I had expressed by excitement about the idea, and also my fears and concerns. It was an engaging and encouraging conversation which I never forgot. To this day, David has been a staunch supporter and demonstrates his poxy by becoming part of the project is astoundingly beautiful ways. Enjoy...

Matt Hill 9/13/15 Matt Hill 9/13/15

NIGHT PAPER with Fem Appeal

Last night the talented and energetic Fem Appeal joined us for a shoot in Astoria. We explored a rainy N/Q between 30th Ave and Ditmars, and had a lot of fun explaining, "it's Fashion Week" to curious late-night subway riders. You rock, Fem – and you looked amazing in my first dress-form cut paper fashion. Enjoy the set!

Matt Hill 9/12/15 Matt Hill 9/12/15

NIGHT PAPER with Karina Libido

A budding fashionista on the Upper East Side.

The alluring Karina Libido (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook), joined us last night on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to make another NIGHT PAPER shoot come alive. Uptown was upstaged as Karina became the paper she wore, making an amazing set of photos with us.

Thanks for being amazing Karina! Here are the picks from the set:

Matt Hill 9/12/15 Matt Hill 9/12/15

NIGHT PAPER with Suffragent and Richard Louis Boccia

Last evening we made beautiful art with Suffra Gent and Richard Louis Boccia on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Mabel secured a gorgeous lounge / 3rd floor rooftop area from a friend of ours (and permission from the building!) we embarked upon an amazing shoot with the creative duo.

This is the first time I've made what I'm calling "Facebeards" – a combination mask and body piece. Here are a couple of them:

A little tease from the fitting for the artistic madness happening this evening. #NIGHTPAPER

"A little tease from the fitting for the artistic madness happening this evening. #NIGHTPAPER"

More #NIGHTPAPER preview - a second "facebeard" cut paper fashion for this evening

"More #NIGHTPAPER preview - a second "facebeard" cut paper fashion for this evening"

This was a very fun, collaborative shoot and we're grateful to Suffra Gent and Richard for joining us. Here are the picks from the shoot:

Matt Hill 8/13/14 Matt Hill 8/13/14

NIGHT PAPER COUPLES: Clara Coquette and Hard Cory

A new american gothic, perhaps? — A *new* american gothic, perhaps?

Ever since starting the NIGHT PAPER project, I had dreams of exploring how real-life couples would relate to being dressed in surreal paper fashions, nude, standing in somewhat public spaces and posing for long exposure portraits.

I desired to see how their already-established relationship would bolster, grow, expand, augment, etc. the relationship with the lens, myself and the connection to the space, time and intent of being together on film.

I must say, I am fortunate to kick this leg of the project off with Clara Coquette (featured in previous NIGHT PAPER shoots) and her beau, Hard Cory.

We had fun on Randall's Island in NYC, exploring the periphery, looking for water, sky and a little privacy. Huge thanks to both of you for being simply amazing. Wthout further ado, here is a gallery of images from the shoot.

Are you interested in volunteering? Read more here.

Matt Hill 6/30/13 Matt Hill 6/30/13

Google+ 2nd Year Anniversary Photo Walk

I had a blast yesterday attending the 2nd-year anniversary of Google+ in the form a of 100+ person photo walk in NYC. Hosted by Alan Shaprio and sponsored by SmugMug, it was truly a friendly, quality gathering of photographers.

Our walk started in Chinatown, went to Brooklyn and back across to Manhattan. Rough mapping below.

I, as usual, brought a little too much gear to be constantly shooting, but I was happy. There was a team of us from MAC Group attending to spread the love and cheer about X-Rite, PocketWizard, Induro, MeFOTO, Sekonic, Kupo and more. I was celebrating by shooting Hypersync flash (example above). You know me, I prefer long exposures, so daylight I can do, but it's not my preference.

The quality of the people at the photo walk was excellent! I got to meet many new people and finally catch up with some others I've been wanting to shake hands with and chat. Good times! Looking forward to next year.

View Larger Map

Matt Hill 2/24/13 Matt Hill 2/24/13

Night Paper #8: Falana Fox on the 56th Floor in Manhattan

We were fortunate to borrow a little time in a beautiful apartment space near 30th St in Manhattan, all the way up on the 56th floor, facing downtown.

The scouting photo where the Freedom Tower was unobscured by clouds.

During our scouting mission, the sky was clear and a gorgeous view of the near-finished Freedom Tower was occupying the view at the foot of the wedge of Manhattan Island.

Last night, however, the weather was a mix of drizzle, low clouds rain and sometimes not rain. I do like shooting night photography in adverse weather simply because I like the challenge of making something beautiful out of what people typically call "shitty weather" (grin). Clouds and water make for great movement and reflections.

So we set the lights, metere, put aside two film cameras for later in the shoot and were ready for our beautiful model, Falana Fox, who is also a burlesque performer in NYC.

Here are the rest from the shoot. It was very hard to choose just these:

Want to see more NIGHT PAPER? Read more about the project and see the gallery of images.

Matt Hill 2/16/13 Matt Hill 2/16/13

Night Paper #7: Heather Whatever in a Snowy Brooklyn Backyard

I am delighted to present that latest installment in the NIGHT PAPER series. A good friend of ours offered his backyard in Brooklyn as a place to have a shoot. LIttle did we know that when we scheduled the shoot, it would be the day after WINTER STORM NEMO (ominous drumroll and peals of thundersnow).

I was happy, since I envisioned at least one snow shoot in the series. Fortunately, our brave soul, Heather Whatever, agreed that a snow shoot was a great idea!

For this project, I made a timelapse while cutting Heather's cut paper fashion. Here it is for your viewing enjoyment:

And now for my favorite images from this shoot:

Matt Hill 10/7/12 Matt Hill 10/7/12

Night Paper #4 - Dumbo (NSFW)

This next shoot involves a second night of shooting with Gymnos Alitheia. Originally, we were scheduled to do this on the heels of the Long Island City shoot, but he was feeling under the weather, so we postponed. Luckily, we encountered a street fair! (grin).

Matt Hill 10/2/12 Matt Hill 10/2/12

Night Paper #3: Rainy Rooftop in Williamsburg (NSFW)

Last Friday evening, I completed my third shoot in the Night Paper series. Deepest thanks go to the very courageous models who braved the high-60′s temperatures post-rainstorm atop the 11th floor of a building in south Williamsburg. One was Clara Coquette, a fantastic and talented local burlesque dancer and the other wishes to remain anonymous. You were both amazing, and I thank you. Also big thanks go to my assistant and girlfriend, Mabel, for making many important details happen effortlessly. Mwah!

Here are some favorites from the shoot. More after the jump!

Here are test shots from the fitting: