I still deconstruct the work of other photographers all the time – it’s a great way to expand skill sets and understanding. And I know from your previous feedback that you guys are fond of these posts, so let’s dig into another one.
I was asked to photograph the amazing and controversial Prince Manvendra of India last month in NYC. It was an honor. But tell me…
How did I make this picture?
Is it a snapshot?
Lighting?
If so, how?
The camera Settings?
The direction?
Post production?
Whatever details you think were needed to make this image.
We’ve done this lots before, but I thought this particular image would be a good one to dig into for a couple reasons. I’ll reveal how it was made in a followup post and give a signed book or something to one person who nails it in the comments below.
I love the challenge you offer to fellow photographers on this photo. Being interested in Photography myself it gives me great insight into pursuing photography as a hobby!
Camera Settings: F8 1/100 @ ISO 800 with I guess 24-70 Lens wide open. With a beauty Dish and a grid over it
Two lights one to the left of the prince just alillte higher then his head around 4 1/2 feet shining down at a n angle second light dead in front of the prince but like the first a little to the left of the prince about 3 feet high shining dead on to his face pass the front of his face hitting the speakers just behind his face wile shining over his left shoulder over the back of the chair hiting the black /sliver ,white and bronze colored speakers behind the back of his head all the speaker are highly light refective colors, black,sliver, white bronze. No ligth is hitting the white colored speakers the color alone makes it apear to be refecting the light !
Two lights, first one above the subject about two foot in front of him and just slightly to the right of the highest speaker, you can tell this from the angle of the light by his feet and by the light source in his eyes. Not sure what type of light it was. Left might be a beauty light and the right a small strobe
Second light is off the frame too the right of the subject and NOT behind him, the light is constrained and angled down, you can tell this by the shadows cast by the both candles to the right of his head. Also the highlights on the candle glass.
Not sure what lens has been used maybe but its about f11, a low ISO as I can’t see noise in the blacks at the top and I don’t think any PP has been done.
Shot relatively wide, 20-24mm, slower than 1/200 shutter, shooting F8 to get the speakers clean and you make up the lost stop with a moderate ISO, lets say 1000.
4 lights – 2 for the speakers;
One L and away from the wall and one R thats hotter and closer to the wall, you can see the umbra effect. Both prob gridded.
2 for the dude; One fill on the L about 6 feet up off frame, maybe gridded box and another one focused on the face maybe a dish or snoot on the L and lower and closer to the wall than the fill.
CHASE, Can I suggest you include the camera body model in the deconstructs? Knowing if its a full framer or smaller, its helpful to know when figuring out the the lens and the distance, depth ect.