Raymond Ellstad Photography

Some serious creativity on display here, along with a good eye for the extreme shape and color of the ordinary and the unusual. Nice work.

Ditto, Ray. Nice work.

This is stunning work, full of creativity! I particularly like the b&w with the Bronica. Thank you for sharing, regards jf

Thank you for your kind words and I wish you the very best.

Really beautiful pictures, i like your vision of portrait, it`s talking to me. Continue to share such pictures qnd tp make me dream ! Best wishes.

Pierre

wow... this is one amazing portfolio you've got!!! thanks for shareing!

I suppose if I looked hard enough, I might could find something about your nudes and portraits that I don't like. Maybe. But jeez, it'd take me the rest of my life.

I particularly like the nudes in combination with the hardwood floors, and you're doing some really innovative stuff with portraits...or at least that's the way I see it. Excellent b&w work, of course...and it looks as if you don't do a whole lot of effing around with Photoshop...a major plus.

I'll have to drop by more often.

A very good portfolio. Keep up the good work

One of the best nude photography photo's I've seen on PN. Excellent lighting and great detail in every image! Concepts are great too. I had a good laugh reading your bio too:) Thanks for your comment on my portfolio as well! Adam Paine

...Viewing it is time well spent. It is obvious that you spend alot of time studying the angles from which one may photograph a nude and it has paid off in a big way. One can learn lots about nudes and geometric shapes from your portfolio. Well done. Sincerely, Kelvin.

You have a very strong artistic view. The poses and set ups are unstandardized, distorted, flexed and surreal. The B&W is very contrasty and yet the color work has some pastel feeling. There is quite a lot of soul in these photos. All and all your view is matured and taken a position of its own - original. Quite remarkable!

Thanks for your comment on my portfolio. Of course, disturbing on some of my photos is intent. I thinks you have great photos here. Nice b&w. Thanks for your time. DDD

Beautifull people, and (not necessarely because of that beautifull photos!) A camera in the hands of a pro. Stunning portfolio! Oh and thank you for your comment on mine. Comming from you it makes my day!

Thank you for your comments on my work Raymond and as promised, I'm returning the favour. Your ability to work with people and to produce such stunning images is out of this world. Your creativity is so expansive, it's hard to believe that each shot (particularily the nudes) is so individual from one another. You have really nailed portrait photography! Beautiful!

Some really subversive stuff here. I like that.

Very creative!! I love what you are doing. Is your studio setting in house?

Hello Isaac, Yes my studio is set up in the living room. I'm a very lucky man as my wife is very understanding. By working in the living room it keeps me out of HER studio. I mostly use three hot lights. Key, Fill and I've just started using a hair light. I also sometimes light the backdrop. Cheers, Raymond

Thank you for taking time to visit my portfolio :)

I went through your entire portfolio and found myself on a learning experience, not even thinking of critiquing or rating. Unique, refreshing and well done.

Like your 'Art' Raymond. Never was a great nude fan but you are changing my view. Some of your pictures have a real impact in their composition and tone. I may be using the wrong words here, forgive my learning status. Your biography was really well posed. Thanks for sharing.

Nice nudes but also great portraits. A very creative portfolio.

Thoughtful, original and poetic. Many thanks.

I've never seen dance or gymnastics look quite like this. The forms are intriguing. Did you "construct" each pose yourself, or coreograph the dances? Are they actual dances, or a series of tableaux presented as a dance? A agree that this is a protfolio to study and contemplate, rather than one to critique.

I normally act as the director when selecting poses for models. If the model is adept at posing I will also use suggestions from them. Most of the models I work with are first timers and require quite a bit of direction. The poses are 'dance' poses but not necessarily from a particular dance. I attempt to find unusual geometric forms in my work. Sometimes this is achieved and sometimes not. Cheers, Raymond

I read your complete biography and loved it -- would have read more of your writing if you were an author instead of photographer (although I will admit that my inner feminsist rankled at your harem commune -- probably jealous).

Your photographs are mesmerizing. In a strange way they connect my fascinations with both yoga and Islamic geometry and knotwork -- very mathematical.

Also, thanks for using models of many different sizes and shapes. Every body has it's own fascination and underlying tensions.

Your work is so unique. Your approach to nudes is the most original I've seen. I enjoy coming back here to view your work again and again. :o)

Elena, I said that I lived with 6 women. I didn't say that they were my stable and that I was sleeping with them all. Most of them were proto feminists and I'm sure would have kicked my patoot if I had suggested that we share a common bed. I was in a relationship with only one of them. It was a fun time of my life none the less and an experience that I'm glad to have had. Sorry to put to rest this myth but the truth will prevail... Should you really want to read more of my writing you can find a bunch of travel log stuff here... http://www.dancingbrush.com/europeantravel.htm ... Cheers, Raymond

I forget that teasing in type rarely comes across well -- apologies if I offended. Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. They were much appreciated!

browsed ur port today ... read ur biography ... that day i found that nice nude art while tracking D ... u have an excellent port ... exclusive nude arts ... like them a lot ... nice lighting ... nice perspectives ... nice ideas ... carry on clicking ... greetings from Kolkata, India ...

Raymond, greetings from another card-carrying Iconoclastic Dinosaur. Your work here has inspired me to visit your website. I like what I saw, and more important I guess is that I like what I read. The next time Pauline and I fly out and visit SD County (her folks live in San Marcos) I think I will have to pay a visit to your studio. Your bio isn't too dissimilar to my own.

I really like you alls' paintings also, but then I was a painter before I took up the camera.

Hello Andre, It's been nice corresponding with you. Thank you for the kind words about my/our work. It would be a pleasure to meet you and your wife the next time you are in the neighborhood. Cheers, Raymond

Raymond, Thanks for taking the time to view and comment on my pictures. All your work here is really great. Your black & white nudes have an energy to them that I've never seen before. I also enjoyed the photos and art you have posted on your web site.

I like much some of your photographs, others not, but all of them are the sign of a beautiful glance on the world and people.

Best regards

Excellent photos and a very interesting approach.

Cheers.

You've taken the classic and pushed the envelope into new ground. A rare accomplishment in this day when so much has been seen.

Ray, you don?t know how you made me happy with your comment about my portfolio. Really, thanks so much for all. I was looking slowly your gallery and i?m impressioned with you fantastic use of body in your pictures. There are many fantastic pictures, that could be Picture of the Week, or why not, picture of the year. But, there are some others very simple and if you permit me, when you put something fantastic in the middle of two simple, this fantastic lost the value. Can you understand me. Ask to someone to look with critique eyes and take off some simple pictures, it will grow up your portfolio. Nice work anyway. Congratulations

Point well taken and I've done as you suggested and removed some of the images I had posted. Cheers, Raymond

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on my image. I think I've discovered a treasure, your portfolio is amazing. I am slowly looking at everyone of your work to learn from them. Your use of the camera's lens on the body form is wonderful, so many new view and angles that I have not even attempted. Beautiful and distinctive work.

Alex

you have a very fresh style to photographing nudes. excellent portfolio.

You have such a unique style. Often your images would seem like they should be erotic, but then they're not. They're desexualized (to me, anyways), because of the flat lighting, the greyness, and the graininess. It's an interesting effect. Anyways,I love the poses and how two bodies can often complement one another in your photos.

Thanks a lot for your comment!, Very impressive Portfolio!, Regards George.

Incredible posings! I am in a hurry right now but I will come certainly back to study your works.

I like your biography. I love your work. Kind regards

Very expressive portofolio from the world of ART & beauty . Comgratulations

Raymond, Your work is really impressive. The extreme nature of the poses makes for interesting visuals. I have one comment that I hope you will take with the best intentions. That is that there is a major emotional disconnect between the extreme poses and what the model is putting out facially. In other words the interior is missing from the exterior, if you understand my meaning. The human content becomes trivialized because it is not being expressed and has given it up to the pose. This creates a detached, removed feeling for the viewer ( at least me). This usually happens, I think, when the Artist is trying to controll the set up too much, preventing the model from informing the Artist by flowing into poses that are natural expressions of their inner spirit. It is good to remember that the model is in charge and as Artist we recieve their gifts to us. All the best, Hips

Hello C. R. Ummmmmmmmmm... Thank you for your kind words and your thoughts, however in regard to the latter, it is my belief that photography is much like in dancing... in dancing, a man leads and a woman follows... I feel that in photography the photographer leads and the model follows. You are correct in that I attempt to retain artistic control by directing the poses. Many photographers are content to have the model do what they will. I'm not one of them I'm afraid and if in my attempt to achieve something a bit different I've lost you, I'm sorry. I think of my images as sculptural and I am not trying to create beauty for beauty's sake, I'm trying to take it to another level beyond pure beauty. Please don't think that my attitude is chauvinistic... my life is pretty much run by women as I live in a matriarchy. In the above two scenarios however I attempt to be in control. Cheers, Raymond

Raymond, Ok, so your feeling a little squeezed and you need to feel in control. I just think your an excellent photographer and your best images, to me, are of models captured doing THEIR thing. I've found over the years , as a figurative painter that seeing the model as a model and not a unique human being can lead to endless versions of the same thing. When we set up too much , our limitations become apparent. The only way to go into the unknown and break new ground is to receive the unpredictable differences in people and be carried away with them until the next model comes and takes you away, outside yourself again. I know you see your approach as your style, and it does work, but a human context for your compositions would really take you over the top. Am I making any sense? Hips

Great Portfolio! Figure study is something I wish to aspire to and your collection is very motivational. Thanks for displaying your work like this.

Your portfolio is simply powerful. In my first viewing, I must say that I was moved by your images. You demonstrate a connection with your subjects. Your photographic journey is truly a journey.

Your portfolio is very engaging and the diversity that it delivers is remarkable! I especially enjoy your B&W portraits, very powerful an emotive!! Thank you as well for the kind words on my portfolio!

You have some excellent work in your portfolio, may you continue your good work with these lovely ladies.Thank you for taking the time to visit my portfolio.From one old hippie to another, remember when we buried hippydom in SF?

Great portfolio, i wish i could dominate nudes one day the way you do it. Very inspirational work. Thank you for sharing!

The womans nakedness has always been fascinating to me. Even the ugliness of the body is beautiful and emotionally disturbing. I appreciate your vast portfolios with nudes. You have your own style that I like.

Great folio, i like the way each photo is individually strong enough to stand on its own. Very impressive :-)

Thank you for comment on my portfolio I'm honoured to receive appreciation from a great photographer like you. Antonio

wow, wondeful portfolio, with creative ideas and a perfect realization. Also added to my favs in del.icio.us Best regards

Thanks for the kind words Ray. It's means more coming from someone with the cailber of work that you do. Will definetly be checking back to see more of your stuff.

Esau

This may be belated but nonetheless I mean it. Congrats on the gallery show, and on such awesome work. It is 4 am and I just couldn't stop looking through all the images until the end. And as an avid viewer of your work I find it always refreshing. Even if I need a nights sleep! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to more! A book someday...?

So unique. Thanks for sharing.

too artistic view...kudos for the fab work

Your photos can be recongnized without reading the creditations. It's a proof of original style. Not very many can do the same. And the ones you can recognize (Amelkovitch, Avanesian, Bezergheanu, Ezra, Felderer, Huttenhain, Schildt,...) are clearly above the rest.

There is something surreal in your photos. The poses are somehow distorted, out of this world. The tonality is strong. In a way the phoots are very theatrical, full of drama. The ones with two persons look feel like there is somekind of a interfacing or dialogue taking place between them. Your photography is not just photos, it's even more theatre.

A wise man once said that the destination is less important than the journey. Your work reminds me of that phrase. In going through your portfolio, one is immediately struck by the energy, and your search for that elusive image which will finally bridge the gap between the oceans and the sky. Like the fool on a boat, the horizon will always be just a bit out there. But, it is that chase, the sysiphian endless pursuit, that defines you. Keep on keeping on. Emmanuel.

Amazing collection of work.

Truly one of the most stunning portfolios I have seen, absolutely beautiful in every respect and truly inspirational. I loved the perfections in the poise and tonal qualities. Your sense of control is clearly evident and the results are amazing.

Sorry, but I find much of your work to be pretentious. It says nothing to me other than "I want to try to try to be different", but it isn't. Look deeper to be unique.

your portraits are excellent!

striking portfolio. I love your nude series. They are original and inspiring. love to invite you to visit mine.

regards.

really nice work and very creative poses. I like your backdrop lighting, and use of hardwood floors.

the light was great in all of the photographs my only reservation is that some of the photographs became too sexuially charged and took on a tacky pornographic feel other than that i thought you have the best portfolio of nudes i have seen so far on this website

This is some of the Best Akt Photography I've seen in my 24 years of working in this branch of life.

There is so many styles and wonderful pose. Congrats

TS:)

imaginative portfoli, love your "future book project". Keep on the great work

It's great to see an artist explore so deeply their vision. Well done, very original work, unique poses and ideas presented through your photos. You have pushed the limits of many genres here. Congratulations!

Very impressive portfolio. You know what you are doing! Very creative. I really get inspired by looking at your work. Thanks for sharing. (And thanks for the comment on my picture Dive.) John.

You have a substantial portfolio that is as unique as it is thought provoking. Wonderful. Although I am familiar with your work it was a pleasure to view the collection. Cheers.

hey raymond, thanks for your comment. i like your portraits. greetings, jef

Thanks for the comment on my portfolio. I'm honoured to receive comments from a great photographer. Maurizio

Congratulations for your superb portfolio! I like the colors, style, lighting. Very nice shoots. Cheers form Switzerland. Fabrice

Wow, what incedible poses, wauw!

Great collection, really like the portraits and mixed bag. Great bio too!

Wooowww! What a fabulous gallery, Raymond. I love your approach to nudes. In fact, I think is beyond nude photography is more like body sculpture. Great work, sincere congrats, greetings from Portugal.

Raymond excelent portfolio. Great photos. Congrats, Mert TURKOGLU

Thank for you comments and support Raymond

Wonderful in Every way!

So many that is good - like what you do! Can't wait to see more!!!

Thanx for commenting ons some of my photo's - I do appreciate! ...and you are more than welcome to use that pose...

i am an admirer and a fan. warmest regards!

What a wild and wonderful portfolio. A frenetic ride through the sweetest that a life has to offer. Looking forwards to see more of your work. Kindest regards, Hung

Dear Ray,

I couldn't resist in visiting your amazing gallery. Your studies over human bodies reached a deepness that i rarely find elsewhere. I love your invasion of the frame with shilouettes. Your bodies are NEVER voulgar on the contrary they are always telling a story, asking something, whisper a dream untold. Also the colors are gently and they never break out loudly but silently sweeping down the narration.

As a master, you teached me a lot of little secrets. I am thankfull 4 that.

Hope we'll photographically keep in touch, i send you my bests.

With respect, Pit.

I'm listening "Brain Cloudy Blues" right now. Thank you very much. I'm from Italy and I didn't know it. Later on I will check it out you works.

Raymond: Well, thank you very much for the input and help..I will put it to use. I appreciate your kind words, and glad you are able to overlook my meltdown the other night...my apologies, certainly. Thanks again for the assistance!!...lauren partida

Hi,Raymond

Thanks for your kindly critique on my photo "cool, but warm", and I'm so glad that it brought me to your excellent portfolio. I looked through your portfolio. I like your thoughts, photos, and what you're doing. Your work here has inspired me. By the way had you seen Lin Hwai-min's(a great Chinese dancer) latest work? His "Cursive I to III" had used dancers' body to "write" chinese calligraphy. I think His work may has some connections with you or your stidio. I'll come back often. Best regards for you and all who suffered.

Much tribulations and yet wonderful. You capture the human form at its peak. You're willing to challenge the norm, and you do it so well. Lighting is right, poses are challenging, effect is superb! Keep on!

Incredible body of art! Your nudes are wonderfully intriguing and poses seem to be unique and imaginative. I like how interspersed amoung your nudes you add images of a differing genre, yet they seem to fit and compliment the surrounding images. One of my favorite sections is your body paint images. They seem to be captured in the state of motion as if in a dance.Thank you for commenting on my image it is greatly appreciated. Best Regards

Hi Raymond. Thanks for the nice comment you left on one of my recent photos. I've admired your work here on PN for quite a while, so your comment really made my day. Thanks.

Hello Friend!

Well here it is another year is passing away and we are coming into the holidays. I think time starts to go faster as we get older, it was just yesterday I wished my friends Happy Holidays and here it is again the end of a year. The holiday lights are starting to be put on some of the trees here in Dallas, we were out last night and some were lighting the trees. I wish for you all a holiday season with family and friends, after all is said and done all we have is each other.

I want all of you to know just what your comments and ratings on my work means to me, your words are my motivation, my drive to discover, to learn this art that we all love, thank you for taking time and thank you for caring about my works. At the same time thank you for letting us see your world, our lives are so much the same, we all care about our families and friends and we all share the same things, maybe someday our photos will help make for a lasting world peace. May you and your family be blessed this season.

Happy Holidays and Happy Shooting

Ken

Nice portfolio! Congratulations! Good Work!

Thank you for your feedback on our photos.

We wish you happy Christmas holidays and a new year flourishing with fresh photo themes!

Cordial greetings!

Thank you for your comment on my photo.

Great work you have here!

Thanks again!

Raymond... thank you for commenting on my image "Fast Food Seating".. I am just catching up. I was very interested in your having worked delivering these style tables for Denton Mgf. We so take for granted such objects we tend to forget that they too were manufactured, delivered and installed by soemone (this one was in a small mountain town in North Carolina). Your work is fascinating and I was particularly pleased to see you use a Bronica. I still love my RB67 (vintage 1971), but don't travel with it anymore.. Check back again when you have a chance... Bill G

Impressive work. My best regards.

Congrats, Raymond, on your excellent gallery. I find particurlaly impressive the consistency of your work, keeping an high quality. I shall come back often, greetings from Portugal.

Great hearing from you! Your work continues to grow by leaps and bounds! Congrats on this unique and magnificent body of work!!!

I am very pleased that I could attract your attention on "Mind The Gap!" which brought me to your works and portofolio. In summary, a masterpiece of fine photographic art - in the sense of the word. Extraordinary your series of nudes. Independent of the very high shooting quality the photos are lively, dynamic and well composed. Compliments for your works from a new admirer. Regards, El

thanks so much for your comment on my portfolio. As others have commented, yours is quite remarkable. So many photos to go through but altogether great to look at. I especially am taken by the panorama mosaics and the body painting sets.

I admire your work on nude figures, your constant seeking of originality and your very fine taste on each photograph. You are among my favorites, Raymond. Best Regards Ruben, from Buenos Aires.

Raymond, From time to time I come back to browse thorugh your pictures. A truly inpiring work. Your photographs proof that there can be much more done with poses than one can imagin. Best regards Rina

Portfolio molto creativo costruttivo ed interressante ! ciao paul

Excellent pictures.Great portofolio.Congrats...

My friend....thank you very very much for your comments and specially for your time!!! I'm grateful...With the first chance, i wish to...scan your portfolio! It seems very interesting! Thank you again. Best regards from Greece, Kostas.

I have never seen so many body forms and all excellent. Beyond us on photo.net .

Hmm Raymond, that is where we differ then .. I "always" discreetly turn around when I see a pretty lady walk by. Life is composed of the sum of those precious little moments, never to be repeated but always to remain indelible in our minds .. .

A wonderful portfolio also composed of little moments, sometimes more studied longer ones, but always filled with elegance and charm.

Congratulations for your incredible portfolio. Thank you for sharing. Best regards

Beautiful work with the human figure and form...

Hei Raymond,

En utrolig portfolio du har her. Menneskeformer i alle fasonger. Samt mye annet kjekt.

Mange av dine bilder gir en Vigelandsk fornemmelse. Særlig der flere kropper fryses i ulike positurer. Svært godt gjennomført. Og illustrerer at vi egentlig aldri blir ferdig med menneskekroppen. Selv at jeg like fascinert som deg av dette som motiv, men da mer som del av hverdagen og der klesdrakten utgjør en vesentlig del av motivet.

Men du har mye annet og. Liker og dine gatebilder.

I det hele tatt, en anderledes, gjennomtenkt og vakker samling.

Mange hilsen

Peter

I apreciate so much your comments about my oicture, because I define you a very artist: i like so much your way tot do photography, specially your nudes. In your nudes I find the really soul of photography.- Whishes Maurizio

An excellent portfolio with nice models, congratulations ! Alex.

Indeed you are into body work and their geometrical shapes, lighting and more.
Very interesting works.

i love yours B&W folders, great compositions and quality, congratulations.

Greetings.

Gracias por haberte cruzado en mi camino y haber hecho un alto para darme tu apoyo,dedicandome un poco de tu tiempo. Que en estas fechas de paz y amor se hagan realidad tus mejores deseos. Te deseo de corazon para ti y los tuyos,una feliz Navidad y prospero 2009. Recibe un fuerte abrazo -Tolo Duran.  

Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

May Light and Love follow you everywhere!! Warm regards, Dimitris.

These are some darn cool images! RefrEshiNg.

I just spent the better part of the last hour looking through your portfolio. Your images are absolutely captivating. Thank you so much for sharing.

I stop by, which is rather frequently, I am envious of your art but also very glad to see what I see. Your portfolio is remarkable, special, great. Thanks, Raymond, for sharing.

youst love your photos

Fantastic body of work Raymond. Especially love your nude work!

Michael

I think you are a little bit insane.

Congratulations,

Jim Phelps

No tengo ninguna duda de que eres un gran artista,me alegro de conocerte,aunque solo sea por la red. Tus trabajos son sorprendentes y se nota en ellos tu afan de superación.En esta vida nada es perfecto,pero si singular y original,me gusta tu trabajo y te felicito,un abrazo

Jose my friend... You make me blush you do. Thank you for your very kind words! -r-

Frohe Weihnachten und ein glückliches neues Jahr wünscht Dir Hans Jörgen

Un año mas en estas fechas tan especiales quiero desearte lo mejor para ti tus seres queridos, esperando que tus mejores deseos se hagan realidad. Gracias por tan bellos instantes que a traves de tus fotografias has compartido con todos nosotros y gracias por tu apoyo y tu tiempo.

Feliz Navidad y prospero 2010.

Un fuerte abrazo -Tolo Duran.

I really enjoyed your portfolio. I especially like your travel images. You have beautifully captured Arizona and New Mexico. Your photos of Antelope Canyon are some of the best I have seen. Thank you for sharing these.

Best Always,

Debra

Really like your work Raymond. You've sone some very artistic nudes!

Very nice collection of artistic photos. Thanks for your comment on one of my photos. Congrats.

Dear Reymond thank you very much for your comments..Offer my respect

you certainly have some brilliant photos in your portfolio keep up the good work.

thank u for u r comments. u have great fine art work. Best regards.

Your work is certainly very different and original.

Raymond, you have a very intresting folio, I've enjoyed looking through them and look forward to returing and seeing your new work.

Rich.

I like your personal style, you're curious about naked.

Thanks for all.