A blend of depth and contrast
There is something about black and white photography that keeps pulling me in and motivates me to pick up my camera. And though I absolutely adore seeing a magnificent landscape bathed in vibrant and saturated colours, I can't help but think how it would look like in black and white? And what better medium than a roll film, for a portrait photographer who loves shooting black and white, in a time of analog resurgence and all things retro?
The lovely Maya exuded an air of timelessness and she fully embraced the classic look. I knew that she was the perfect model for capturing her portrait in the traditional black and white elegance. The monochromatic style enhances the dramatic mood while Maya's features and striking gaze seem to pop out of the frame, with every nuance of her expression etched in exquisite detail. The dark presence in these photographs draws you in, inviting you to explore the intricate interplay between light and shadow. One of the defining features of these portraits is the high contrast and deep shadows that create a sense of depth and dimensionality that adds to the timeless quality of the images.
Black and white photography has a unique way of stripping away distractions and focusing on the essence of the subject. The absence of colour forces the viewer to engage with the textures, shapes, and emotions within the frame. And the way the film rendered these “fossils of light and time” [Daido Moriyama], with little imperfections; sharp but without immaculate clarity; capturing the soul and feeling, just like a memory - imperfect. That's what gets me going.
For this portrait session I went with my beloved monster of a camera - the Mamiya RB67 and a roll of Ilford HP5+ film. We shot in my small home studio with a Godox AD400Pro strobe, which I used for my key light, and a Godox S60 constant light for the fill and rim lighting.
