Photo subject: Kevin Spacey
Photographer: Kathryn Gaitens
Bio: Bachelor of applied arts, photography, Ryerson
Key training factor: I assisted Ron Baxter Smith, a photographer and commercial director. On film shoots I was always trying to figure out what the electrics and DOP were up to. The fascination/obsession with lighting begins….
First job: Flare Magazine. I cold-called them two weeks after finishing Ryerson.
Ran in NOW: January 13, 2005
Challenge: Getting something different and cover-worthy in a hotel room in only 15 minutes.
Solution: I had a plan – well, actually three set-ups with choreographed lighting between each one. The trick was selling it. Kevin Spacey doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to do. His mind operates as if it’s got precision engineering.
He knew what I was looking for without asking. When I was about to suggest something, he said, “No, don’t tell me. Perhaps something like this, or maybe this?”
Basically the shoot unpacked itself from there. Many of my favourite photos feel like a collaboration, where the photo was given rather than taken.
Gear: Hasselblad, with ISO 100, 60mm lens, F8 @ 1/125
Essential tip: Try to get into the shooting room early. In this case I was in 30 minutes ahead of the shoot. Any set-up time helps, even if you can only get a few extra minutes.
I used a boom to keep the shadow from the curtain off his face.
There’s a time for winging it, but with minimal time available to shoot, it’s best to have a plan.
