{"id":1923,"date":"2020-06-22T15:19:26","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T15:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/philippemonthoux.com\/blog\/?p=1923"},"modified":"2020-06-22T15:19:26","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T15:19:26","slug":"creative-portraits-and-chains-with-zoja","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/philippemonthoux.com\/blog\/creative-portraits-and-chains-with-zoja\/","title":{"rendered":"Creative Portraits and Chains with Zoja"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zoja Dravai is a circus artist from Hungary. One of her specialties is aerial chains. For our second collaboration (the first is described here<\/a>), she was interested in getting some promotional pics for her chain act and I was looking to experiment with some new lighting set ups.<\/p>\n

On the first day we showed up at Room to Move for the chains shoot, it turns out the place was busy with a breakdance class. Portraiture doesn\u2019t require a big space to shoot and I could take pictures without disturbing the ongoing class. We decided to try some experimental portraits. Luckily, I had brought some fabrics with me. Zoja had some too.<\/p>\n

I always wanted to try the \u201clight through fabric idea\u201d to create a pattern on the face of the model. With Zoja\u2019s gold fabric as a background, I\u2019m quite pleased with the result.<\/p>\n

\"Portrait
I really like the effect of the projected pattern on the face of the model.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the next set up, we went dark and moody.<\/p>\n

\"Profile
Two speedlights in softboxes, left and right, slightly behind her to create this moody portrait.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When I saw the picture above on the LCD screen of my camera, I thought of doing some in camera double exposures.<\/p>\n

\"In
Wish the neck would be a bit wider, but not too \u00a0bad for a first attempt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"In
I like the mirror expression too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next, we moved to a white fabric. Next time around, I would like to try a white outfit for the model and a white background, for a more high key feel.<\/p>\n

\"Profile
Two speedlights in softboxes left and right slightly behind Zoja.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Profile
Looks like a tear in her eye.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Profile
There are so many variations possible with this set up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This next in camera double exposure series was inspired by a Joe McNally photograph of Steve Martin. Zoja can really act too.<\/p>\n

\"In
Opposites attract.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"In
The calm after the storm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"In
My favourite of the series.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We then met about a week later, when Room to Move was free, for the chains shoot. I wanted to try having the two back lights in the frame.<\/p>\n

\"Aerial
This really hurts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Aerial
Lighting the model without revealing the background (and the clutter in it) is quite a challenge at Room to Move.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Aerial
Zoja’s favourite of the series.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the aerial shoot, I just couldn\u2019t resist trying another set of in camera double exposures with the chains this time.<\/p>\n

\"In
I changed the colour of the chains in Photoshop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"In
This is the original, shot with a red gel on the chains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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