2008.04.15: Damian Chao's new headshots - a reflection

Nikolas called me on Monday to book a shoot for his friend Damian for Tuesday. I booked in the late afternoon and evening thinking it would just be another fulfilling headshot session which would provide the actor with photos that would help sell them to casting directors. This Tuesday turned into so much more. It was a humbling experience for me. It was only Nikolas' third time behind a professional camera and perhaps only the second time that he was more than casually shooting the talent on set and what he produced was not only remarkable but absolutely extraordinary. Not only did he produce some amazing photographs but he produced photographs that I felt sell the actor better than the photos that I was commissioned to shoot. This shoot and the review session back at that the studio that followed, taught me so much more about the essence of people photography than almost any other individual shoot during my entire career as a photographer. After comparing Nikolas' yield to my own I found that I now have no choice but to accept that a photographer's communication with his subject and a clear understanding of the essence of the character being captured when combined with the ability to capture this essence can overcome many technical challenges. I have just witnessed how spontaneity and communication can overcome limitations in technical knowledge and how a more advanced technical knowledge can't always overcome a photographer's defficiencies in communication. Anyhow, enough deliberation; have a look at the unedited photos and judge for yourself. And thank you to both Damian and Nikolas for working with me today.

Damian wanted a grittier, tougher, more brooding headshot than the photos he had outgrown. I thought the location, the greenhouses south of the Alberta Legislature, was ideal for this look. Chainlink fences with barbwire at the top, broken up pavement, piles of bricks and rusted steps plus a variety of natural go-betweens to break up existing light as well as interesting background elements in a space that left enough room to allow for background separation.

All of the square shots were made with the Rollei 6008AF, Schneider AF Xenotar 80/2.8 PQS HFT, and Phase One P20 digital back. This shot and the one before it were made with existing light only. This one kinda looks like an album cover. It's even the right shape and everything. Hahah!

Similar to the previous shot but shot at 1/1000s and at F/2.8 and sync'ed to the Bowens Explorer 1500, Bowens Quad head with standard 7" grid reflector and barndoors for fill.

Damian's and Nikolas' first killer shot of the day. In fact, the first keeper of the day regardless of who was shooting. Nikolas using the Nikon D2X and 70-200/2.8 VR. Looks like a still from a movie set with really flattering light.

Citing that Damian now has lots of solid photographs selling him as a tough, stand-offish type of character he could use a shot like this to help illustrate his ability to fill a softer and more approachable role. It's hard to believe that Damian's father is allegedly 100% Chinese. Heh. :-P I believe Nikolas was still using the 70-200/2.8 VR for this photo.

The headshot. Nikolas shot this with the D2X and the 135/2 Defocus Control Nikkor. Existing light only.