2 minute read
Business Titan
CASE STUDY #19 Business Titan
CAMERA: Canon F1 LENS: 85mm f/2.8
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FILM: Fuji RDP transparency film
EXPOSURE: f/8 at 1 / 125 second
LIGHTING: Luz 800ws pack with two strobe heads (medium softbox for the main light; umbrella for the backlight)
Assignment BusinessWeek called me to photograph Henry Kravis, a managing partner of Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co., which was a major leverage buyout firm in the 1980s. had him take off his jacket and lean on the desk, then did some GQ-style shots with his jacket over his shoulder (which looked silly). The session lasted about ten minutes, then we shook hands and he left.
Visual Objective My goal was to show confidence and wealth. I also wanted to find a strong pattern for the background.
Posing When I photograph CEOs, there is always a great desk in the room. This was no exception, and the desk became the anchor for Kravis to lean on. To create a look of confidence I had him place his hand on his hip.
The Story When my assistant and I arrived at the location his secretary led us to his office and told us that Kravis would arrive in half an hour. I wasn’t sure how much time Kravis was going to give me; since I might only have time for one setup and I wanted to imply wealth.
His office was filled with antiques and oil paintings. I saw the painting of the two genteel Englishmen and their horses and decided that would help narrate the photo. We moved the 200-pound desk so that I could place Kravis between the painting and the strong vertical inlay on the wall. After my second Polaroid, he walked in. I had been hoping for more time, but we shook hands and he asked what I wanted him to do. I
Tips Time is money in business—and the wealthier your subject is, the less time they seem to have to be photographed. The key to a successful corporate shoot is being decisive. Know what you want and don’t be afraid to tell the subject.
On these shoots, be careful of what you talk about. Don’t pretend you know a lot about the stock market, leverage buyouts, or municipal bonds. If you touch upon a personal connection (family, hobbies, etc.) the subject will usually stay a little longer.
umbrella on back wall gobo
medium softbox
LIGHTING CASE STUDIES 61