Steve Harvey is a multi-talented entertainer, who is successful in radio, comedy, acting and as a host on television with the “Family Feud” show
“June 4th shoot Hey man, are you available on the 4th (next week) for a shoot in Atlanta?” Yes. “Stay loose, I’m trying to make this work. Be in touch on it soon.” That’s it. Thats how this assignment came to be. In this case it’s a portrait of Steve Harvey, a multi-talented entertainer. Dudley Brooks, the picture editor gave me the gig and told me the story was for EBONY’s Black wealth issue. He said to me you are photographing a media mogul. The first image which popped into my head was of a Russian Oligarch sitting in a gold throne between two Siberian tigers (the gold ones or rather ones who would allow themselves to spray painted gold) with four nubile Russian beauties wearing nothing but gold spray paint…..The editor would only okay the “Gold throne”. I managed to get in a shot during the two hour shoot Steve with a gold frame as well.
I’m not an etch a sketch master….a quick reference drawing.
A doodle can move the visual process along. I like the challenge of creating a meaningful image from a few words, sometimes descriptive, sometimes not. Some of my visual tools includes implying meaning through subject expression, lighting, subtle tones and prop choices.
This is my slightly surreal take on Steve Harvey. A larger then life gold frame, floating in a sea of red velvet.
Lighting diagrams are a big help. I try to previsualize the assignment as often as possible. It helps when work with a team. Puts everyone on the same page.