The shot: Airtight
Photographer: slave to the lens
Inspiration/concept
I usually sketch out ideas, some rough and some fully fleshed out. Like many of my more unusual images, this was done as a trade shoot. I shot promo work for this musician under the condition that he do two of my sketches, of my choosing. With this one, I kept him in the dark (after an initial conversation to determine whether it would be in his wheelhouse). I did this because I wanted catch the initial bewilderment of waking up to such an absurd situation without his over-thinking it for weeks before — and I think this reads well in his eyes.
This particular idea was born from a trip buying props for a film I was propping, and the fact that the blow-up doll was elderly just made it a must shoot. Her teeth are on the nightstand.
The shot
The Camera was a Canon 50D, with a 17-85 zoomed out, shot as wide and positioned as high as possible, and the aperture is f/3.5. I put the camera wide and high because it’s such a great way to lay shame bare, just like a security camera. It felt voyeuristic.
The lighting is a bare Hensel 500 head, blasting off camera low-ish, like mid-morning sun after the marine layer burns off — just hard reality. But, I should have changed the clock. I hate missing details!
Post-production
I’m not great at post, but this was pretty straightforward. I did some sharpening and carving highlights and shadows. I muted most of the warm tones down a good bit to make it colder and starker, like waking with a hangover.
Result
I may revisit it and bring a bit more blue in from the window, but I largely move on after saving an image. While there are plenty of subtle things I’d change, I still like it. The actor did fine work and overall I’m pleased. It seems to get laughs and second glances, so I’d say mission accomplished.
slave to the lens
Ryan James is a Los Angeles-based photographer that has been photographing artists, musicians, models (and anyone else who lets him) since 1995. His website is www.rockandrollportraits.com.
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October 09, 2012 at 3:06 pm, Crustina said:
ahaahah I like it!)))
September 17, 2012 at 10:01 am, mlittle said:
Light needs to be warmer and several small details need to be cleaned up.
September 16, 2012 at 9:01 pm, Phill said:
First off I really like the shot and the story going on here but just a bit of constructive criticism. If mid morning sun was what you were going aiming for to me it doesnt feel like daylight, it looks like a bright flash in the corner of the room. Maybe for the future try using some diffusion with the flash, as a window (especially one with drapes like the ones in a hotel) would naturally diffuse the sunlight.. overall very good job!
September 17, 2012 at 6:54 am, Ryan said:
Agreed, and thanks! While I initially had diffusion, ( 216 or opal, can’t remember.. As well as some actual sheers) I decided to take it out because I wanted the hard shadows, as if the curtains had been drawn back and there was no softness to it. While it doesn’t sell as soft beautiful morning light, I think I prefer the edge sharpness of the harder light for the subject matter. You’re absolutely right about diffusing morning light through some curtains though! Thanks again!
September 16, 2012 at 12:02 pm, Lynch455 said:
I like your style sir! Less time worried on the why, more time capturing why not? 🙂
September 14, 2012 at 4:32 pm, kiiRAWR said:
I just love this picture! there are soamy different elements to it and it just entices your eyes around the scene to get an idea of whats going on. it is quirky yet honest and well thought out. the smaller details in the image (like her teeth on the nightstand) adds to the images over all affect and if you dont look for the little bits (like her wrinlles too) you can miss alot of the thought in it. i really enjoyed this picture 🙂 hope to see more of your work up!
September 14, 2012 at 12:02 pm, Rhett said:
I see it though the eyes of an older women, insecure about her body(and teeth lol) but seeing this young strong man have such strong desire for a false image of myself, it would feel primal, hot. also i see it from my straight perspective of watch out where your male libido take’s you otherwise you will wake up like “oh shit what did i do” but i also feel a resonance with that moment where you don’t give a shit where it takes you.
It’s a good article and gave me some clarity into the picture to make me feel it deeper.
September 13, 2012 at 11:28 am, semi234 said:
I’m a little confused because (specifically in how you wrote it), this article is really close ended & does not encourage further dialogue.
1. Let’s pretend for the sake of argument that the picture “doesn’t speak for itself”.
Can you please elaborate more on the concept you were going for? What’s the premise behind it? What made you choose this particular concept over another of your ideas? Why shoot in this hotel(?) room instead of someplace? Was using this model essential to the overall idea or would any other model have done?
2. What do you want us the reader (or photographer) to walk away w/ when we’re done reading this?
September 13, 2012 at 8:21 pm, Ryan (slave to the lens) said:
I’m sorry for any confusion based on my writing skills, I’m certainly
not gifted in that arena. You were astute in noticing, however that the
intent was to simply…honestly flow, and consider meeting outside needs of
further clarity an afterthought. When EDU asked if I wanted to do a
quick write up, it was this image they chose, and posed questions. I
answered them as succinctly as possible, but I’m certain I’ve left gaping wounds in the narrative requirements. I’ll do my best to address these now.
1. While I’m really not prone to revisiting old work, it was fun to reexamine this one. I’d say, (as with darn near any creative endeavor ) if the image doesn’t speak for itself, it’s probably not speaking to you. This isn’t meant to be cute, it’s just the only way I can explain it. There is plenty of stuff that just doesn’t speak to me, I simply don’t get it. Picasso, I just don’t get. I’m an arttard, I accept that.
I thought I addressed the concept basics with “… initial bewilderment of waking up to such an absurd situation…” above, but I’ll elaborate for the sake I’ve clarity. Have you ever awoke to a room you didn’t know, with a person you didn’t recognize? It’s immediately evident from your surroundings you partied a little too hard and ended up in bed with someone, but god knows who…For those who have,my hope was it might spread a thin smile of recognition, or remembered shame, or joy, or sorrow… or, hopefully, laughter. ( I think that answers part 2 as well! Bonus!)
What made you choose this particular concept over another of your
ideas?
and…
Was using
this model essential to the overall idea or would any other model have
done?
He was game, and he thought it would be a lark amongst his friends as he is gay. He also had impressed me with his facial expressions, so I thought he could sell the bewilderment, that moment between blurry blinks. Basically, I chose it because shooting him as an injured greyhound was better for another model. I don’t cast models, I just find something to shoot with models I meet.
Why shoot in this hotel(?) room instead of someplace?
It was the house the artist shared with his partner, and it was available. I loved the symmetry of the headboard, as I had seen it on a previous shoot with the subject. I knew there was an alcove where a large source could be hidden if required, but I was hoping to utilize the evening west hazy sunset night that came through a window. We rescheduled, so I made due.
I hoped I’ve added to the overall clarity of this article, and thank you.