The Concept: A Medieval Times Portrait
Models Ursus and Valeriya portray two medieval characters in this medieval times portrait. This work is part of a photo session inspired by the TV series Game of Thrones. The session was organized by Megan Alter‘s workshop series. The photo session took place at the Neogothic Posthoornkerk (Post Horn Church), a basilica built in 1863 in Amsterdam. As part of Megan’s team of instructors I was responsible for teaching photographic lighting concepts to the participants. Besides participating as an instructor I also developed my own work as photographer.
Scene and Lighting
To create this medieval times portrait I set the key light behind the camera, slightly to camera’s right. My intention was to isolate the subjects from the backfround. So what I did was to pose the couple far from the wooden doors to avoid the key light reaching the background. In order to create soft shadows I asked my assistant to diffuse the main light using the translucent part of a 5-in-1 round reflector. My goal for this portrait was to impart a sense of calm in uncertain moments. I asked Valeriya to pose as if she were worried about something.
The stylists, Wendy de Kok and Tobias Lurvink, did a great job setting up the theme and mood for this medieval times portrait, providing the appropriate medieval costumes for the characters.
Models: Valeriya Maleyeva, Ursus Metten
Other images in the series include: A Portrait of Queen Cersei Lannister and a portrait of a Brave Couple.