Art Repro

The Assingment

I have shot quite a number of images for agostonkata.hu, Kata was actually one of my first clients approximately ten years ago when I first found interest in shooting buildings and enterieur. We went through a number of different projects, including some print magazine publications, and a lot of learnings together.

This time Kata returned as an art student about to finish her education as a sculptor. Image material was needed for documentation of the works during the studies (portfolio), and for the presentation of a masterpiece.

This assignment was kind of complex, as it involved repro, object, portrait and genre image photography, some in studio, and a great deal on location. In the end subject and vibe got me really into the job, so I hope you enjoy results just as much I do.

The Learning Process

A study like this takes two years, so it was impossible for me to be there from beginning to end, yet I had the opportunity to document some of the main steps of the learning process. I liked it especially very much, as I was reminded of the studies I did myself when learning photography. Not just because back then we started with drawings too, but I recognize the same engagement and enthusiasm in Kata’s work, as I remember to have had myself.

So the very basics of art is the draft: you need to be able to draw it.

Before creating the masterpiece there is a lot of work to do for practicing, learning application of different techniques and materials. And as a photographer it is challanging to shoot all of them, especially, as some are difficult to transport, so had to be shot in the workshop where they were being worked on (see werk image at the top of the article).

The Masterpiece

…is a gypsum remake of Busto Femminile (by Umberto Fioravanti, 1909), currently displayed in Museo Fattori in Italy. The following images had to be shot on location aswell.

The Exhibition

By the time the exhibition was opened, exams were passed, the course finished. The masterpieces of all graduating students was displayed in 4K (Budapest, Hungary), a contemporary cultural center in a brownfield environment. I fell in love with the location on first glance, really liked the flare and the way of presenting all kinds of artwork so I enjoyed my time shooting a lot!

I find it kind of funny that technically portrait photography techniques were applied: flash as main and ambient as fill light creating a classic triangle lighting to accent the face of the sculpture, then shot from a few different angles.

Using Format