james, the mad professor.... not really a stretch as a character study! i've been wanting to shoot james like this for a few weeks now... one of those ideas that i've had rattling around. i love that the very-professional chairperson of the master's program at my school was so willing - even happy - to be shot like this! when i leave school (in 13 days!) i'll definitely miss our discussions of all things esoteric, philosophical and odd.
bennetron 2000. long live the ontological samurai beaver.
(shot in his office, canon mark II, 24-70L, one strobe bounced / spiked off the ceiling, and one reflector to camera right)
Bes Z, Rejean Pellerin, ifido, and 37 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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Diego SL 79 months ago | reply
I like the lighting on his face, fit the expression he has very well
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Michael Ash Smith 79 months ago | reply
nice set up katie ... good shot
|seen in my contacts|
xDare2Dreamx 79 months ago | reply
hehehe (=] )
I loooooove the expression.
Great shot
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ThePhoenix101 79 months ago | reply
Philosophers and those that teach it are a special breed that's for sure.
A wonderful and fun portrait that grabs attention. The dark face against the white of the volumes is a great contrast.
Paul Linton 79 months ago | reply
Very amusing portrait!
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Xenotar28 79 months ago | reply
That is a cool shot.
katiew 79 months ago | reply
thanks for all of your comments!!! i'm glad the emotion i was going for translates :) it got REALLY interesting when my precarious pile of books began falling on him!
myfear 79 months ago | reply
Great capture! Nice idea, well done! Big compliments :)
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Seen in my contacts' photos.
Rejean Pellerin 79 months ago | reply
Could you post this photo in my group of books please?
www.flickr.com/groups/72759907@N00/
Mr Vibe 79 months ago | reply
lol, that a very good one, waht a look? and the books background is awesome. great idea
torchesforghosts 79 months ago | reply
I love this; it's so neurotic. I imagine that he hasn't left his room in ages, has food delivered so he doesn't have to deal with the outside world, and maybe even has math equations and philosophy quotes written all over the walls. Right at the moment this was taken I imagine that he's heard footsteps outside his door or a knock he wasn't expecting, and he's peeking his head out from his fort of literature trying to be as quiet as possible so they'll go away. Brilliant.
RedMonkeyVirus [deleted] 79 months ago | reply
It's different.
*From the Comments! group.*
Robert Scott Photography 79 months ago | reply
Great expression in the eyes, I especially love the backdrop in this image. Leads me to think of a previous science professor I had.
*From the Comments! group.*
Rejean Pellerin 79 months ago | reply
Thank you for your posting!
katiew 79 months ago | reply
yay! ya'll comments make me so happy :)
brain map :: i figured you'd like this one!!! while i suppose this is an "environmental portrait" technically, i like to think of it as a "psychological portrait"! the backstory you created is frighteningly close to the story in my head at the time of shooting! fort of literature... that's a great expression! and he was definitely INSIDE this pile of books. i also printed this out & taped it to his office door... so when his students stop by for help, and he's not in, they'll see this paranoid, crazy picture of him! but he likes that, guerilla signage tactics. at james' encouraging, tomorrow i'm going to subvert a current on-campus event by making "swap meat" posters to hang up around the school... complete with clip art of t-bone steaks and people shopping. :) teehee... i'm 11 days away from being done with school, i have senior-itis, i no longer care for propriety! (.. not that i really did in the FIRST place!)
torchesforghosts 79 months ago | reply
I forgot to mention how much I love this man for posing for such a wonderfully crazy portrait. It is extremely cool of him. And, god, I LOVE the idea of other students seeing this on his door. That's so genius, SO genius. And this "swap meat" idea is also kickass. I hope you'll be able to scan the posters you make for us to enjoy. I look forward to your next idea. :)
Josie Lee 79 months ago | reply
haha, interesting!
From the 1-2-3 Portraits-group
p2wy 79 months ago | reply
terrific portrait... the look in his eyes is fantastic
the Tucson Gardners 46 months ago | reply
Katie - I really enjoy this photo. I used it (and credited you) to illustrate a post on our blog as per the CC non-commercial license. If you'd prefer I didn't use the photo, please just let me know and I'd be happy to take it down. FYI.
-Jeff
jeffandkerri.blogspot.com/2009/09/pageviews-do-not-equal-...
LearningLark 28 months ago | reply
I love this photo! I'll have to come up with a blog post to go with it....
www.clepmeoutofhere.blogspot.com