Since the late 70's, most of my career has been focused around the work I've done for Playboy. But there comes a time in a photographer's life when you seem to yearn for those times when you could just shoot for the sheer fun of it. Not a publisher to answer to, nor an art director, no editor, no associate editor, not a single soul save one. You. And that's what I've tried to create with my B&W project I've tentatively titled, "PASSION".
           Shooting with models I know and meet along the way, and working with top makeup artists I've worked with in the past, I've decided to do this project as simply as possible. No big dollar sets, no long work days, hardly any wardrobe (my favorite part), but most importantly, no stressing about any of it. If we can pull a shoot together for next week, that's just dandy. If we cannot, well, we'll just have to wait. No worries.
           The following images are just a sampling of what we've done so far. I'm just not sure where it's all headed. I'd love to have a gallery showing someday. And as I continue to compile more and more images a book seems a logical next step as well. We'll just have to wait and see. But I've been having a blast. The shoots have been fun and quick and I absolutely love the results.
           And for all you photogs out there curious about what and how, well, here's the scoop. With only a few exceptions all the photographs were shot natural light, on film, with a 6 x 4.5 format ETRsi Bronica camera, hand-held. The film is Fuji's brand new Acros negative B&W film. And I haven't loved a film like this since the days of Panatomic X for all you old timers out there who even know of what I speak.
           And a huge thank-you goes out to all the beautiful models; Alison, Amy, Colleen, Debbie, Devin, Irena, Tricia, and Vanessa. With another huge thank-you to makeup artists; Michelle Van der Hule, Linda Kinney, and Jennifer Mann. Without you guys this would just be in my mind's eye.

David Mecey