Beauty Images

This was a fairly standard commercial Beauty setup. Four lights:

1 head on a softbox above the model about 45 degrees and about 4 feet away, below the model is a sunbounce reflector which bounces the light back up into her face. The other benefit of this is two nice catchlights in the eyes, which enhances that 'fresh and clean' look.

2 rim lights on stripboxes, 45 degrees behind the model. I love the separation rim lights give, very clean and sharp.

1 backburst flash behind the model against the backdrop. This gives further separation and creates contrast between the BG and the model, giving a glow as well making masking easier.

This lighting is perfect for the more commercial aspect of beauty photography. It eliminates shadows on the skin and is perfect for beauty and cosmetic brands. its not as great for that editorial feel I find, which is more conducive to shadow play and mystery.

Photography: Martin Prihoda
H/M: Billy Bow
Models: Nadine and Cariad.
assisted by Vijit Gupta
retouching: Jatin Lulla

Cosmopolitan November 2011 Cover story

Sometimes its the case that the higher profile the client, the less creative you can be. Though they are one of my favorite clients and this is my second cover story with them, Cosmopolitan has notoriously stringent rules regarding everything from the pose of the model, to the lighting and the background.

Its interesting and fun in its own way, to have to be able to deliver with such tight restrictions. I love my personal projects in that they're unbounded and free but working with a strict brief is also good for honing one's skill.

These images were lit simply with a 6 foot parabolic on a stand. The Para allows me to focus or soften the light as I see fit.

Photography: Martin Prihoda
Styling: Aradhana Baruah
H/M: Shaan Muttahil
Retouching: Natalie Buskila

The Perfect Photographer VS. The Great Photographer

Who doesn't have some sort of aspiration to be perfect, (gulp) right?

Here's my list of conditions for the Perfect Photographer:

1. Astute, in-depth technical knowledge of Cameras, can take one apart and put it together.
2. Art history buff, has studied all the great Masters who have come before; can drop names if asked.
3. Can single handedly produce a job with mind boggling efficiency.
4. Sends out the perfect estimate; makes money while remaining competitive.
5. Amazing marketing and business skills. Blog and website always up to date. Sends monthly e-newsletters to clients.
6. Adept and masterful at all things social media
7. Perfect understanding of Lighting Theory, knows exactly which modifier to use and when.
8. Always a pleasure to work with. Clients love the Perfect Photographer; drinks are always on him/her post shoot.
9. Always meets deadlines
10. Knows how to apply makeup on models in case the H/M girl calls in sick/hungover.
11. Pays his/her crew on the day of shoot, in cash if they want.
12. Communicates well with and brings the best out of their models and subjects.
13. A Photoshop wizard, the perfect photographer retouches their own images and delivers ahead of schedule, with minimal revisions.
14. Their portfolio is the perfect mix of personal and professional work.
15. Always demands to fly business class.
16. Can shoot Product, Fashion, Automobiles, Travel, Food and Interiors with equal excellence
17. Nails the pitch every time and exudes confidence in pre-production meetings.
18. A natural Fashionista, styling their own shoots is a breeze.

Hopefully by point 18 you've realized that no such person can possibly exist. In fact I feel lucky if I'm nailing half the things on the above list.

so whats the difference between Great and Perfect?

The great photographer knows their strengths and weaknesses. They move forward in their strength and fill their weaker qualities with people who call those same weaknesses, strengths.

A great photographer may have an excellent eye for detail but is terrible with people. They may have amazing business acumen but a poor understanding of light fall off and what a Parabolic light actually does. Thats okay, though...they know they're not perfect.

Surround yourself with people who are better and smarter than you.

My producer is better at budgeting and project management than I am, my retoucher is infinitely better at photoshop, one of my lighting assistants knows more about how an dSLR works than I ever will (or want to)... If your ego can handle it and you can build a team on this principle; you're in for a wild, successful ride.

The unfortunate truth is that if you try and do it all yourself, you will stay small and ultimately entrenched upon the gilded path of mediocrity.

To be great you have to commit yourself to Mastery, to learning, to plateauing, to failing, to learning...

and that, my friends, has nothing to do with perfection.

New Work with Rachel Bayros

Had an opportunity to work with one of my favorite Indian models; Rachel Bayros. A great person to work with and a super talent. Thanks to my amazing team as well!

Photography: Martin Prihoda

Photographer: Martin Prihoda

Model: Rachel Bayros

Hair/Makeup: Laila Dalal

Styling: Zeenat Hatim

Retouching: Natalie Buskila

Location: XO Studio, Mumbai

Assistants: Vijit Gupta, Vijay Nawgire

New Behind the Scenes video 5 Light Beauty setup

This ones short and sweet. The images are below, click here to see how they were lit.

Photography: Martin Prihoda

Model: Smita Rao, Anima Creatives

Hair/Makeup: Laila Dalal

Styling: Zeenat Hatim

Retouching: Natalie Buskila

Location: XO Studio, Mumbai

Assistants: Vijit Gupta, Vijay Nawgire