Lalibela Photo Session
Behind the scene Quick sketch #1
HELLO FRIENDS,
I hope you have seen my pictures from the "Secret Underground World of Lalibela, Ethiopia". For those of you who are curious how some of the portraits were shot, please take a look here:
Photo Shoot #1
Approach
Whenever I visit any place, I spend a good time scouting several locations to make the shot. It's really important to avoid any rush. In the same time, i am utilising this opportunity to learn more about my model/s. What do they do? What they are passionate about? Anything that can be useful to show their personality (ideally in a new interesting way).
In this case, I already knew a bit about what to expect in this cave. So, my main purpose was to show the connection between living people (the priest) vs. the dead pilgrims in the form of the orthodox religion. Once i have noticed the remains of the pilgrims instantly i have thought that it will be great to place my main model (the priest) in the middle of all those remains. Of course i have checked with him if by doing this, we don't cause any trouble...but the priest was fine...It was important to note that I had only 1h for everything...
Light
I have seen there is not enough natural light coming from the Cave entrance (right). On the left, there was some artificial light to lid the back side of the church. However, also the same source was lighting the bones of the pilgrims. I needed to put the Soft Box on max power and as close as possible to the model (priest), in order to offset the fill light color (blue-ish) and still mange to lid his body and also part of the mummies.
By keeping good relationship with my guide (Gushav) he was more than wiling to help me for this photo shoot. Gushav was holding the light stand higher, in order the light from the Soft Box to fall from top to the model's face.
Final Result #1
Photo Gear
Camera Settings
. Camera: ISO 400, 1/90S, f3.5, White Balance: Flash
. Soft Box (inside with flash): full power, ISO 400, ~1.5m distance
Other Gear
. Chair: I had to climb for a higher perspective
. Camera: Canon 5D Mark ii
. Lens: Zeiss 25mm f2.0
. Softbox: Westcott Apolo 47" + Light Stand
. Flash: SunPack 120J
. Remote trigger: 2x PocketWizard Plus X
Photo Shoot #2
BEHIND THE SCENE QUICK SKETCH #2
Approach
In this case, I have decided to place the priest against the white wall of the church (just next to the entrance). Most of the light is coming from the natural source thru the cave entrance. The Softbox I used to fill the shaded part of the model's face as well as to separate him from the background. Please, note that also the white wall is reflecting some part of the light.
Georgi adjusting camera settings
Final Result #2 & #3
For a better result, the priest needed to have about 1m distance to the background. The falling light from the softball is losing about 1.0~1.5 stops from his face to the door (background).
Shooting from a lower angle increases the dramatic effect of the image. This technic is more suitable for male models.
Camera Settings
. Camera: ISO 400, 1/90S, f3.5, White Balance: Flash
. Soft Box (inside with flash): 1/4 power, ISO 400, ~1.5m distance
Photo Shoot #3
BEHIND THE SCENE QUICK SKETCH #3
Approach
While walking inside the church I was impressed by most of the details people was able to include in the interior so many centuries ago. And start thinking how to involve it...and then...the chance came to me. The priest was very open after talking to me for some time and decided to show me his very old bible. Because the room was too dark, he lit a candle to show me the text and some pictures inside. And bam! there you go...this is what I have thought in my head...to show the priest in a very natural (for him) environment...how he is reading...In fact, he was reading aloud.
Final Result
Camera Settings
. Camera: ISO 800, 1/60S, f2.8, White Balance: Flash
. Soft Box (inside with flash): full power, ISO 800, ~1.0m distance
Photo Gear
. Camera: Canon 5D Mark ii
. Lens: Zeiss 50mm f1.4
. Softbox: Westcott Apolo 47" + Light Stand
. Flash: SunPack 120J
. Remote trigger: 2x PocketWizard Plus X
I hope this post was helpful for you!