P#22: An Endearing Shot of a Rhythm Child

It's a Matter of Distance

John Siskin: This shot of the rhythm child was taken with a light panel and you can see that the light panel is a greater distance from the subject because he's throwing a shadow.

If we had that light panel at two feet from him, that shadow wouldn't be there, but the light panel is about six or eight feet from him and this gives his face more shape, more shadowing, and more highlight. There's only one light source in this so it's really a very simple shot. (click the image for a larger version)

This was done for a client and the subject was the client's son. I really had a good time with it. Rhythm Child was the name of the client. They sell drumming supplies for children.

This was a great shot. The child's father is a drummer so the child has already adapted this method of working with the drum because the child is so small. When you want to work with kids, one of the things that I like to do is let them do what they want after I've gotten the shots the client has requested.

I have certain goals that I have to get and then I want to let them go and have some fun. Let them play with the props and see how they manipulate them. A lot of times that will bring you the best picture.

In Closing

How does a one-light shoot produce such a creative effect? It wasn't the amount of equipment that made the difference in this shot, it how the equipment was used and where it was placed. By placing the light panel further from the rhythm child, John was able to manipulate the shadows and create an amazing photograph.