P#16: Breaking the Rules In a Photo of a New Mexico Weaver

The "Breaking the Rules" Shot

Bobbi Lane: The bald old man with the beard with the blanket behind him is a New Mexico weaver. This shot is a 'breaking the rules' shot.

I always say "no direct sunlight" and this photograph goes against that rule. This was shot in direct sunlight, and the man is inside.

The man is one of a generation of New Mexico weavers and his children and grandchildren are also weavers, so it's been passed on now for hundreds of years.

In his store, I saw the sunlight coming through the window. He's actually standing right behind the cash register. I saw his face, I saw the blanket hanging back there, and I saw the sun. I went over and talked to him and asked him if it would be okay if I made a portrait of him. (click the image for a larger version)

He said, "Yes, absolutely," and he was ready to go. I said, "Actually, I'd like to look around the store for about 15 minutes and let me see if there's anything here that I'd like and then I'll come get you."

The reason that I did that was because I could see that the sun was moving and I wanted to be able to get it in that place where I could illuminate him in that direct sunlight but not have the direct sunlight on the blanket behind him. It was really just a matter of waiting 15 minutes.

He's an older man, he's got wrinkles, he's a little craggy, and he knows he's an older man. I'm not trying to do a flattering picture and trying to hide that. I'm trying to show off the strength and respect that I have for this New Mexico weaver and for what he's done.

What I did here is I came from a slightly lower angle and had him look up into the sun, and turned his face. This is an example of Rembrandt lighting. You see that one side of his face is lit and the other side has a triangle of light on it. That's what the Rembrandt is.

The feeling of the Rembrandt is one of great respect, dignity, honesty, and integrity.

As I said, this photograph of the New Mexico weaver is kind of breaking the rules by using the direct sunlight, but in this case it was very effective.

Audri Lanford: And it's what your concept was.

Bobbi Lane: Yes, it's what my concept was. It was a matter of having an idea in mind and then putting it to use.

To Conclude

You can't always play by the rules when it comes to portrait photography. Even though Bobbi Lane usually advises against shooting in direct sunlight, the concept of the shot may actually call for it. This photograph of the New Mexico weaver is the perfect example.