Okay, so let me tell you about this little project I got into, trying to recreate some of Mario Sorrenti’s iconic shots. You know, the guy’s a legend with the camera, famous for those stunning fashion photos and celebrity portraits. I’ve always been a huge fan, especially those black-and-white Calvin Klein ads with Kate Moss, just killer stuff.
So, I thought, why not give it a shot myself? I started by digging up as many of his photos as I could find. I mean, there are hundreds available online, and each one is a masterpiece. I spent days just browsing through them, making notes on what caught my eye. His use of light and shadow, the way he plays with color, and those experimental compositions – it’s all so inspiring.
My Setup
I don’t have a fancy studio or anything, but I do have a decent camera and a few basic lights. I figured I’d try to work with what I’ve got. My first challenge was finding models. I ended up asking a few friends if they’d be willing to pose for me. Thankfully, they were game!
- Camera: I used my trusty old DSLR, nothing too fancy but it gets the job done.
- Lighting: A couple of softboxes I borrowed from a photographer buddy, plus some reflectors to bounce the light around.
- Models: My awesome friends, bless their hearts for putting up with my amateur directing.
The Process
I picked out a few of Sorrenti’s photos that I thought I could try to emulate. Some were portraits, others more full-body shots. I started with a simple black and white portrait, trying to capture that moody, atmospheric vibe he’s known for. I had my friend sit by a window, using natural light as the main source, and then used a reflector to fill in some of the shadows.
It took a lot of trial and error, I won’t lie. Getting the lighting just right was a real pain. I’d take a few shots, then adjust the lights, then take some more. My friends were incredibly patient, even when I was making them hold awkward poses for what felt like forever. We had a lot of laughs, though, especially when I tried to explain the kind of “look” I was going for. “More mysterious, but also kind of vulnerable,” I’d say, and they’d just crack up.
Next, I attempted a more colorful shot, inspired by some of Sorrenti’s work for Vogue. This was even trickier. I experimented with different colored gels on my lights, trying to recreate that vibrant, almost surreal look. It was messy, and honestly, most of those shots ended up in the trash. But there were a few that I was actually pretty happy with. The colors weren’t quite as polished as Sorrenti’s, but they had a certain raw energy that I liked.
The Results
After a few weeks of shooting and editing, I finally had a small collection of photos that I felt were decent enough to share. I’m no Mario Sorrenti, obviously, but I learned a ton through this whole process. It’s one thing to admire someone’s work, but it’s a whole other level of appreciation when you try to do it yourself. You start to see all the little details, the subtle choices that make a photo truly great.
This whole experience has given me a newfound respect for photographers, especially masters like Sorrenti. It’s not just about pointing and shooting, it’s about crafting an image, telling a story with light and shadow. I’m definitely going to keep practicing, keep experimenting. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll even develop my own unique style. But for now, I’m just happy to have dipped my toes into the world of photography, inspired by one of the best.
