Kevin Leitch
Google
The humid Georgetown air hung heavy, thick with the scent of frangipani and the faint echo of the city's vibrant pulse. But inside the cool, cavernous space of St. George's Cathedral, a different kind of energy was building. Sunlight, filtered through the stained-glass windows, painted the stone floors in a mosaic of jewel-toned hues. It was here, amidst the soaring arches and the weight of history, that I was about to embark on a photoshoot with a model.
St. George's, a magnificent testament to Victorian architecture, felt like a world away from the bustling streets outside. Designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield and completed in 1899, the cathedral stood as a national monument, its presence both grand and humbling. The very air seemed to whisper stories of generations past, a perfect backdrop for the images I envisioned.
My goal was to capture not just the model's beauty, but also the cathedral's majestic spirit. This wasn't just about pointing and shooting; it was about creating a connection between the model, the space, and the light. As the makeup artist applying makeup on the models face, I begin pointing out interesting architectural details and explaining my vision for the shoot. Creating a comfortable and collaborative atmosphere is paramount, and I wanted her to feel as inspired by the location as I was.
Posing was key. We started with subtle adjustments, a slight tilt of the head, a shift in weight, playing with the lines of the model's body in relation to the cathedral's strong vertical lines. We moved from the nave to the transepts, exploring different angles and perspectives. Then, as the light shifted, we transitioned to more dynamic poses, using the grand scale of the cathedral to emphasize the model's presence. A hand resting on a pillar, a gaze directed towards the stained-glass windows, each pose told a story.
But the real magic happened when we delved into the art of manipulating natural light. The late afternoon sun, filtering through the western windows, cast long, dramatic shadows across the stone floor. This was the golden hour, and I knew we had to capture it. We experimented with reflectors, bouncing the soft, warm light onto the model's face, sculpting the shadows to create depth and drama. Even subtle shifts in angle and direction could dramatically alter the mood of the image.
The stained-glass windows added another layer of complexity. Their vibrant colours, projected onto the model's skin and clothing, created a kaleidoscope of textures and hues. It was a dance between light and shadow, colour and form, a constant process of adjusting and refining.
As the photoshoot progressed, I felt a sense of connection not just with the model, but also with the cathedral itself. The history, the architecture, the light – it all came together to create something truly special. It was more than just a photoshoot for Red Film Productions photo collection; it was an experience, a journey into the heart of beauty and artistry. And as I reviewed the images on my camera, I knew we had captured something truly magical, a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity, and the timeless allure of St. George's Cathedral.
