Pixiq

I am a big fan of lighting blogs.  You know, the ones who show you how to use strobes to creatively light just about anything you want.  As such, I own a cadre of light stands, strobes, and wireless flash triggers and am ready to shape and modify light in any given situation.

Sometimes, however, I need to remind myself that less is more.

Take this photo, for example.  On a editorial assignment I was charged with shooting pictures of rancher Jim Byrd in the Texas Panhandle.  The creative brief was simple:  get a usable portrait of Jim on his ranch and "make sure you can see some grass."

I thought about taking a ladder and getting above Mr. Byrd and I thought of using strobes to selectively light him and the grass against a moody sky.

Then I spent some time visiting with Mr. Bird.

I am a believer that if you'll listen, your subject will tell you how they or it should be photographed.  They might not come out and say it overtly, but you'll still get a feel for how a subject should be approached and photographed.

Jim Byrd, is a typical Texas rancher:  quiet, respectful, and soft spoken, his love of the land is palpable.  So in getting to know him, I knew that over the top lighting or an unusual composition wouldn't be appropriate.

Simplicity would rule the day.

Using a Canon 5d Mark II, I shot this image with a 16-35mm f2.8 lens set at 27mm and an aperture of f2.8. My camera was placed on the ground and held at an upward angle so that the grass would drape the composition and frame Mr. Byrd.

The lighting came from a soft, low-hanging Texas sun and, in my opinion, worked better than a strobe ever could.  Mr. Byrd's pose was natural.  I told him to give me a minute to get ready and as he stood there gazing over his land, I shot away.

Simplicity is what I sought and simplicity was delivered.  I couldn't ask for more.