This is a tribute/recreation, and a SP I might add, of the famous Irving Penn image of Truman Capote. I love Penn’s work and this shot came immediately to mind for this challenge. I know that many of the voters won’t know the shot but I encourage you to take a look at more of Penn’s work as it is exceptional.
Trying to get into the mind of 2 great artists is a challenge. The original shot was done in 1965 just after Capote completed "In Cold Blood". I could not find exactly what camera and lens Penn used but the timing put it not long after he switched form Leica and Rollie to Nikon 35mm. I know he used the 80MM (normal) on his Rollie for portraits so I used my 85MM maybe I should have used a 50mm (normal) on my FX, oh well.
The pose is not quite right and even though I am older (44) than Capote was (41) in Penn’s shot he looks older, I guess due to his fondness for drink and drug. The lighting I almost nailed but I had to make some choices for the processing, since all I have seen of the original shot is what’s on the web, I did it the way I thought Penn might if he had access to PS and DSLRs in the 60’s.
Learned a ton about lighting with one main brolly and one background light.
Thanks for the comments and especially Bear for yours.
Here is a side by side with the original shot:
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Extraordinary reconstruction of the (very famous) original. It's not as harsh, and it's missing the expressive furrows of Capote's face, but still a real double-take for me. I'm not sure how to score it, frankly; for now, a 7 -- but I may change that. Good job, anyway, on its own terms.
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