"Man of the Year"

"Man of the Year"
©David A. Ziser

Is this a great example of leading lines or what!  Look at how all the structure in the ceiling lead you right to our subject.  Look too how the line of the railing brings your eye directly to the subject.

I still remember making this image years ago, back in my film days.  I was a huge fan of the 40nn Distagon lens on my Hasselblad.  It’s super wide angle field of view did wonders to the composition in many of the locations I worked in.

The main challenge was not the composition, it was the lighting.  The wide angle lens was showing too much of the “space”.  That meant having an assistant holding the light was out of the question – remember, no Photoshop back then.

I solved my problem by placing my radio controlled Metz CT-1 strobe on one of the steps of the stairway you see on the left.  My  low camera angle – I was on the lower stairway framing up the groom – was just low enough to hide the strobe firing on the left.  The wall was still illuminated but I didn’t think that detracted from the image.

And speaking of lighting, notice too the accent light on the back of the groom’s face and neck.  That's obviously is coming in from the strong window light pouring in from behind the groom.

All in all, we have a very dynamic portrait of the groom framed against the wonderful architecture of the building with all lines leading directly to him – I think a very cool image.

Camera specs: Hasselblad 500 CM fitted with 40mm Distagon lens, F 5.6 @ 1/30 second, Kodak Vericolor 800 film.  Enjoy!  -David