One of the newbies was Zack Arias, the (multiple) subject of this shot. If you're not familiar with his work, take a look at his website, and be sure to check out a video I linked in a previous post – Transformed – it's a great piece of work. You might also want to check out his OneLight DVD. I'm just working my way through it at the moment and would definitely recommend it if you need any help/inspiration on how to use a single strobe to light your subjects.
As for this image: I didn't set out to produce a composite portrait, but was shooting Zack in the Souk as he was filming with his Flip Mino. I didn't think that any of them would be especially great (I was snapping rather than thinking about what I was doing), but when I looked through them I realised that while none of the individual shots were particularly good, they might work well as a set. Part of the reason I was prompted to think of a composite image was because Zack shot the group portrait at GPP this year using a single strobe to light 29 people dotted around a dark auditorium - one by one. If you're interested, the final image and Zack's description of the process are here:
comment byrhys at 07:32 AM (GMT) on 13 April, 2009
Thats bloody brilliant. Slightly cubist and I imagine shows his character more than a 'straight forward' shot would have done.
comment byNicki at 09:40 AM (GMT) on 13 April, 2009
YES - not the typical way for are portrait but a funny story around and finishing this picture. I like it. But mor interesting are the facts about Zack - i never heared of him and now i'm fascinated to his work. The Group Shot is crazy and very creative - wonderfull idea. Welcome back home e david :P ...
comment byJennifer at 10:09 AM (GMT) on 13 April, 2009
Very arty - love it.
comment byDan Kaufman at 03:32 PM (GMT) on 13 April, 2009
wow, you must have a really good camera. Is that one of those fancy effects lenses you get on eBay?
Just kidding (of course!) I've never done any composites, not sure I'd even know where to start. But, again, DJN you are a master at this technique as well. It feels more like how you would "remember" and event, as a mix of memories vs. a single event.
comment bySharon G at 04:05 PM (GMT) on 13 April, 2009
Fantastic
comment byBrooks at 04:51 PM (GMT) on 13 April, 2009
So rad to see a shot of Zach. He's an amazing guy. My band was actually the first band he shot after getting back into the biz several years ago (he actually asked us if we would let him, haha). Ironically enough too, his site is the reason I found chromasia in the first place. I was just meandering around and clicked on a random link. It's cool to see everything come full circle. Intriguing comp as well.
comment byGarry at 05:59 PM (GMT) on 13 April, 2009
Great idea, great shot(s) even if it's kinda kooky!
comment byAdam Stevens at 06:30 PM (GMT) on 13 April, 2009
Wonderful composite David! Thanks for the friending on FB!
comment byCarlos Garcia at 07:33 PM (GMT) on 13 April, 2009
Fun shot. Thanks for the reminder of his GREAT video. I can't stop looking at this composition. Somehow you caught something more...
C.
comment by John M at 08:59 PM (GMT) on 13 April, 2009
Zack Arias. Top banana. Ive found his lighting advice on his site really useful Dave. Nice shot
comment by Derrick at 05:55 AM (GMT) on 14 April, 2009
Hi Dave, I've been following Zach on his blog for about a year and also own his Onelight DVD series. So whilst I don't know him personally I do sort of know him and I reckon you've really captured something here. I really like it.
Can't wait to see what you start doing with a strobe.
comment byPaul Pomeroy at 06:47 AM (GMT) on 14 April, 2009
Given Zack's personality I'd say this was a perfect portrait of the man! Very cool, indeed.
Different from your usual style (not a criticism at all - I really like this picture). Love the way he's thinking about the shot in the first frame through to the shot where he's facing the camera.
comment bydjn1 at 07:38 AM (GMT) on 15 April, 2009
Excellent portrayal of a fascinating and skilful guy.
Like Derrick, I've been following Zack's work for about a year but haven't yet splashed out $250+ for the Onelight DVD - as it now comes with the DJN seal of approval I may need to explore it though, even at today's abysmal exchange rates.
Have you thought of acting as a UK/European distributor for this and for the Strobist DVDs?
The group shot is a wild idea btw and he's pulled it off brilliantly.
comment bymicha at 01:05 AM (GMT) on 16 April, 2009
love the textures and light . Beautiful composition.
comment byPiet Osefius at 06:43 AM (GMT) on 23 April, 2010
There was a great line up of photographers at this year's GPP training event – Joe McNally, David Hobby, Drew Gardner, Vincent LaForet, Zack Arias, Carol Dragon, Chase Jarvis, Cliff Mautner, Asim Rafiqui, Chris Hurtt, Bobbi Lane, and Robin Nichols – and while I'd met many of them at last year's event, there were a few new faces this time round.
One of the newbies was Zack Arias, the (multiple) subject of this shot. If you're not familiar with his work, take a look at his website, and be sure to check out a video I linked in a previous post – Transformed – it's a great piece of work. You might also want to check out his OneLight DVD. I'm just working my way through it at the moment and would definitely recommend it if you need any help/inspiration on how to use a single strobe to light your subjects.
As for this image: I didn't set out to produce a composite portrait, but was shooting Zack in the Souk as he was filming with his Flip Mino. I didn't think that any of them would be especially great (I was snapping rather than thinking about what I was doing), but when I looked through them I realised that while none of the individual shots were particularly good, they might work well as a set. Part of the reason I was prompted to think of a composite image was because Zack shot the group portrait at GPP this year using a single strobe to light 29 people dotted around a dark auditorium - one by one. If you're interested, the final image and Zack's description of the process are here:
http://www.zarias.com/?p=340
As always, let me know what you think.
Thats bloody brilliant. Slightly cubist and I imagine shows his character more than a 'straight forward' shot would have done.
YES - not the typical way for are portrait but a funny story around and finishing this picture. I like it. But mor interesting are the facts about Zack - i never heared of him and now i'm fascinated to his work. The Group Shot is crazy and very creative - wonderfull idea. Welcome back home e david :P ...
Very arty - love it.
wow, you must have a really good camera. Is that one of those fancy effects lenses you get on eBay?
Just kidding (of course!) I've never done any composites, not sure I'd even know where to start. But, again, DJN you are a master at this technique as well. It feels more like how you would "remember" and event, as a mix of memories vs. a single event.
Fantastic
So rad to see a shot of Zach. He's an amazing guy. My band was actually the first band he shot after getting back into the biz several years ago (he actually asked us if we would let him, haha). Ironically enough too, his site is the reason I found chromasia in the first place. I was just meandering around and clicked on a random link. It's cool to see everything come full circle. Intriguing comp as well.
Great idea, great shot(s) even if it's kinda kooky!
Wonderful composite David! Thanks for the friending on FB!
Fun shot. Thanks for the reminder of his GREAT video. I can't stop looking at this composition. Somehow you caught something more...
C.
Zack Arias. Top banana. Ive found his lighting advice on his site really useful Dave. Nice shot
Hi Dave, I've been following Zach on his blog for about a year and also own his Onelight DVD series. So whilst I don't know him personally I do sort of know him and I reckon you've really captured something here. I really like it.
Can't wait to see what you start doing with a strobe.
Given Zack's personality I'd say this was a perfect portrait of the man! Very cool, indeed.
Different from your usual style (not a criticism at all - I really like this picture). Love the way he's thinking about the shot in the first frame through to the shot where he's facing the camera.
Thanks all :)
Excellent portrayal of a fascinating and skilful guy.
Like Derrick, I've been following Zack's work for about a year but haven't yet splashed out $250+ for the Onelight DVD - as it now comes with the DJN seal of approval I may need to explore it though, even at today's abysmal exchange rates.
Have you thought of acting as a UK/European distributor for this and for the Strobist DVDs?
The group shot is a wild idea btw and he's pulled it off brilliantly.
love the textures and light . Beautiful composition.
The colours and contrast are amazing!