CINEMATIC PORTRAIT

"Flower and Magic Puff power..." Lighting Set up: Franc / Concept and Model: Dean / Shot: Franc with Sony A7M2 + Nikon AI AUTO 50 mm F/1.4 (old Manual focus lens)

The concept of this workshop is to turn students into different characters, by building a scene with a certain mood, posture, and situation. Then, we take a shot which looks like a frame extracted from a movie.
By Franc Peret and his Advanced Students

The mood is created by the location, the actor’s position, and facial expression, the props (accessories) but most importantly by the lighting which is a key feature in term of storytelling.

“The Serial Killer” / Lighting and scene set up: Franc / Concept: Dean , Franc and Fabrice / Model: Fabrice, Nils and Qiong / Shot: Franc with Sony A7M2 + Nikon AI AUTO 50 mm F/1.4 (old Manual focus lens)

Sometimes complex, sometimes simpler, the set up is dedicated to the story and often involve 4 lights: Key, Kick (or hair), Background and Ambiance (or eyes) light.

“The Serial Killer ” Extrem Close up and head chopped off to hide the identity of the madman.

“The Serial Killer” (Close Up): 5600K Key light with some red gel + kick light + ambient light + eyes light.

Accessories, if well balanced, can complete the illusion, as well as makeup, costume, and hairstyle.

“Flower power…” Lighting Set up: Yellow key light, Ambient light with red gel, white kick light.

I am used to setting challenging lighting for filmmaking and It is much more interesting to work on this type of project in an average location (Apartment Hotel) than to do modeling or beauty shot in an immaculate and dedicated (and somehow boring) photography studio.

“Nouvelle Vague” Lighting: Franc / Concept and scene set up: Nils, Qiong, Fabrice and Franc /
Model: Fabrice and Nils / Shot: Franc with Sony A7M2 + Nikon AI AUTO 50 mm F/1.4

“Nouvelle Vague” light set up: 2 opposite key lights and a bit of ambient light.

None of those pictures would ever exist without the character (acting) and the lighting.
The photographer is the least important part of the equation. None of those shots belong to the person who had pressed the shutter button.

“Lonely Beauty after the party” Lighting Set up and Concept: Franc / Model: Novita /
Shot: Monja with Canon 5D IV and 50 mm f/1.4

Forgetting to mention the teamwork in the credit of the photography would be completely dishonest from the photographer.

“Hitchcock movie’s character” Lighting Set up and Concept: Franc / Model: Monja /
Shot: Franc with Panasonic Lumix G85 and Leica 25mm f/1.4

Every shot has to be linked to a team of an Art director (concept), actor, Director of photography (light) and Photographer…

“1950’s James Bond Girl from the North” Lighting Set up: Franc / Concept and Model: Magdalena / Shot through a curtain: Franc with Panasonic Lumix G85 and 42.5mm f/1.7

Filmmaking is a very important addition to anyone Photography experience, as working alone is not helping much personal improvement, while shooting a movie is a teamwork of added values and there is always so much to learn from others…
Franc Peret

MAKING OF SHOTS:

Novita performing in front of Monja, Magdalena and Kerstin.

Monja’s concentration through her Canon 5D Mark IV viewfinder. Shot by Franc with a Panasonic G85 and Leica 25mm f/1.4

Shots with my advanced students: Dean, Fabrice, Nils, Qiong, Matteo, Jonathan, Monja, Kerstin, Novita and Magdalena.

Magdalena pointing her Canon 5D MarkIV toward a 1920’s character performed by Kerstin. Lighting and Concept: Franc / Model: Kerstin / Shot by Franc with a Panasonic G85 and a Leica 25mm f/1.4.

Former photo journalist, Film maker and ELC Shanghai Photography teacher, Franc Peret is teaching Essential Photography Classes, Advanced Photography Workshop and Film Making Classes in Shanghai, for the last 11 years.
If you wish to contact Franc, just drop an email to francperet@hotmail.com