Okay, so today I really wanted to dive into something that’s been on my mind for a while – the photography of Nadav Kander. I’ve been following his work for years, and it always leaves me speechless. So, I decided to try to emulate some of his style in my own photos.
First thing I did was look through his books and online portfolios. I just immersed myself in his images, trying to understand what makes them so powerful. It’s not just the technical stuff, but the feeling he captures in each portrait. It’s like he’s peering into the soul of the person, you know?
Next, I started experimenting with lighting. Kander often uses this soft, diffused light that creates a very particular mood. I don’t have fancy studio lights, so I had to get creative. I used a big white sheet as a diffuser in front of my window to soften the natural light coming in. It worked surprisingly well!
Then came the hard part – finding a subject. I wanted someone with an interesting face, someone who wouldn’t be shy in front of the camera. My neighbor, old Mr. Jones, has the most amazing wrinkles and kind eyes, so I asked him if he’d be willing to sit for me. He agreed, thankfully!
When we started the shoot, I tried to remember Kander’s approach. He doesn’t spend a lot of time chatting with his subjects beforehand. He just lets the silence and the moment speak for themselves. So, I set up my camera, an old Pentax that I love, and just started shooting.
My Attempt at Nadav Kander’s Style
- Setup: Used a Pentax camera, natural light diffused with a white sheet.
- Subject: My neighbor, Mr. Jones.
- Approach: Minimal conversation, focusing on capturing the moment.
I took a lot of photos, experimenting with different angles and compositions. I paid close attention to the direction of Mr. Jones’s gaze and how his body was positioned. I wanted to give him space to look into, just like Kander does in his portraits.
Afterward, I spent hours looking at the photos I took. Some of them were okay, but not quite there. It is much more difficult than I thought. But a few, just a couple, had something special. They weren’t Nadav Kander level, not even close. But they had a hint of that depth, that quiet intensity that I admire so much in his work.
This whole experience has been so rewarding. It’s not just about copying someone else’s style. It’s about understanding what makes their work resonate with you and then trying to find your own voice within that framework. I still have a long way to go, but I’m excited to keep practicing and learning.
Honestly, I didn’t expect to get anywhere near Kander’s level of artistry, and, of course, I didn’t. It takes years of dedicated practice to be that good, I know that much at least. But the joy of trying, of really engaging with the art form, that’s what it’s all about. And hey, getting just a tiny glimpse into his creative process was pretty darn cool, too. I’m going to keep at it, though. Maybe one day I’ll be able to capture even a fraction of the emotion he conveys in his images.
