In the world of photography, no two creative paths are ever the same. Each photographer makes choices that define their vision: from lighting to focal length, from color to composition. Yet it is important to recognize that not all approaches carry the same level of complexity. While working in a controlled studio environment with black and white imagery and close-up portraits can be effective and aesthetically pleasing, it often represents a much more straightforward way of working compared to the challenges I face in my creative process.
🎨 Color vs. Black & White
Black and white photography has its timeless charm: it abstracts reality, eliminates distractions, and relies heavily on form and contrast. In many cases, it simplifies the post-production workflow, because skin tones, mixed light sources, or chromatic harmony are not part of the equation.
By contrast, working in color is infinitely more complex. Every hue must harmonize, every shade can shift the mood of an image, and every imbalance becomes obvious. Skin tones in natural light are notoriously difficult to master, and the presence of multiple colors in an environment requires careful balance to avoid visual chaos. What might feel effortless in black and white becomes a delicate balancing act in color.
📷 Wide vs. Long Focal Lengths
Studio portraits often rely on long focal lengths: 85mm, 135mm, or beyond. These lenses compress space, smooth out features, and isolate the subject against soft backgrounds. The result is flattering and predictable.
My approach, however, frequently involves shorter focal lengths. Working wide means embracing distortion, engaging more deeply with the environment, and carefully considering the relationship between the subject and the space around them. Every centimeter of composition matters. A slight misstep can turn drama into exaggeration. The demand for precision is significantly higher, and the artistic risk is far greater.
☀️ Natural Light vs. Controlled Studio Lighting
Artificial studio lighting offers complete control: fixed positions, repeatable setups, and total predictability. It is, in many ways, a photographer’s safety net.
Working with natural light, however, is a challenge that requires constant adaptation. The sun changes its angle by the minute, clouds alter the mood in seconds, and the interplay between highlights and shadows evolves throughout the day. Sometimes, I supplement natural light with continuous lighting, but this too requires delicate balance. The unpredictability of natural light means that every shoot is a fresh negotiation with nature itself—far removed from the stability of strobes in a studio.
🌍 Environmental Portraiture vs. Close-Ups
Close-up portraits of the face or upper body are intimate, but also comparatively simple: the frame is narrow, the environment irrelevant, and the focus is almost entirely on expression and detail.
Choosing to work in wider environments adds layers of complexity. Architecture, landscapes, props, and even ambient light all become part of the composition. Every background element must support the subject without overpowering them. This is not just photography; it is staging, directing, and storytelling.
🎬 The Cinematic Look
Replicating a cinematic aesthetic is another demanding choice. Cinema is about atmosphere, narrative, and visual depth. Achieving that with still photography requires mastery of color grading, composition, and light continuity. It demands that every image feels like a frame from a larger story—a world beyond the single shot. Unlike the straightforward clarity of a studio bust portrait, the cinematic look is all about nuance, subtlety, and layered meaning.
⚖️ Why My Work Is More Complex
None of this is meant to dismiss the value of studio photography, black and white imagery, or close-ups. They have their place, and they can be powerful artistic statements. But the reality is that these approaches are often more forgiving, more controllable, and more straightforward.
By contrast, the path I have chosen—color, wide focal lengths, natural light, environmental settings, cinematic mood—is filled with obstacles. It requires constant adaptation, deeper technical knowledge, and a willingness to embrace risk. Every photo shoot is a puzzle where light, space, and subject must fall into perfect harmony.
And that is precisely what makes it rewarding. Complexity is not a burden, but a testament to the ambition of creating images that feel alive, cinematic, and deeply human.
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Yes, sometimes b&w studio photographers do not realise how tough are these aspects
Way more difficult, yep