Assignment Emulating Jerry Ghionis

About two weeks ago, for a class assignment I had to pick a photographer I love.  Well, I love Jerry Ghionis images.  He has won awards around the world.  He teaches.  In fact, I really  want to be him when I grow up.  To spend two days with him watching and learning is ten thousand dollars and I know he is worth it but not everyone else in my house shares that opinion.  His site is theicesociety.com  and JerryGhionis.com.  Take a look at his work and you decide.


Okay, funny side story.  I'm casually reading an article about Jerry.  The reporter is asking him about his style, where his photography is heading in the future and about this camera, he is so in love with.  He claims every wedding photographer should be using this medium format camera.  Actual quote:  "Jerry Ghionis believes the new Phase One P 40+ medium format camera system is going to create a brand new market segment for wedding photographers and he..."  So, I casually google it, while thinking, my camera was about 4500 so his is probably about 12,000.  He does use many types of cameras and lenses but, he specifically said this is where wedding photography is going.  In my mind, I thinking, so just when I check good camera off my list I need to add another?  To read the entire article:  http://www.phaseone.com/en/testimonials/moving-from-dslr-to-medium-format.aspx


Well, this camera isn't making it on my list.  It was listed at 19,999.  So my next question, why doesn't this camera company just say 20,000.  That dollar isn't fooling me.  A 20k camera?  I can't even image walking around with that thing.      


Okay, back to the subject.


For my assignment I picked one of Jerry's images and I then took it as close, as I could, to his version.  The amazing part is I procrastinated because I couldn't even imagine how to set-up the shots he had.  They were all women in wedding dresses with amazing backgrounds with really cool video light set-ups.  So, late Monday night, my daughter finally gets home from track and karate and I'm begging her to hurry in the shower.  Finally, she gets out of the shower and I have dug up so much crap to use as props that she looks at me like this isn't going to work.  Now, I only have an hour to take the best shot, upload it, edit it, and upload it to my class.  All I can say is that pulling it all together and getting it done on time is a skill I learned the first year in college.   


Below, I've included my teachers response.  

This is Jerry Ghionis image.  Copyright Jerry Ghionis

This is my daughter.  Copyright Jeannine Cecchini

      Below is the response from my teacher:


"Jeannine, I believe you did a phenomenal job emulating Jerry's original photograph!! I am genuinely impressed. As my eyes scan back and forth between the two images, you achieved an almost identical similarity to the orginal photograph in regards to subject, environment, presentation, composition, light, and contrast. You definitely have a true talent for detail! Both models appear visually identical in their presentation to the camera (head and shoulders and turned away) and adornment (lacy dress and arranging of hair). Both backdrops are also extensively similar with the draming of the netting and cloth. Concerning the quality of light and contrast, you did a wonderful job imitating the artifical light as it drapes across the models neck, creating both the highlight and low light. The main identifying difference between the two images is that of the tone (this is very minor) achieved through a varying filter. Amazing work, Jeannine!"


Yep, I got an A!!


I didn't post this to show off.  Well, maybe just a little.  I'm more happy that it's done and I don't have to lay awake at night dreading how I'm going to crash a wedding at gun point and force the bride to pose like the woman in the picture...get my drift.  I'm not pleasant when I'm desperate.  Now, why I'm showing this assignment is I really learned quite a few things when trying to emulate Jerry's image.  I learned that lighting (any kind including flash lights) really helps show off the human body.  By setting the light directly off to the other side of my daughter I showed her neck in such a mysteriously romantic way.  My back drop was an old lacy shirt rapped around her head, some beads, some old netting from a peach colored night gown and other tacky stuff.  Yet, once they were all put together then turned to black and white it made for a great shot.  Had I not done this assignment I wouldn't have learned that taking the risks and being creative can really pay off and create your own personal style in the process. 


If you love the images of a particular photographer try to completely reproduce one of their images.  Now, it is copyright infringement to copy another photographers work and that includes their poses.  This would just be a personal project for a learning experience and a great one at that. 


If you have any questions you can ask them in the comments or link to my facebook.com/jeanninecphotography and ask them there.  


Thanks for stopping by,
Jeannine