Geordi La Forge: I do not consider myself a Trekkie. When the first Start Trek iteration aired in the late 60s I was probably watching something else. It wasn't until it ran in syndication that I came to appreciate the show. Perhaps my emotional age finally caught up with that of the original target audience. But I digress. HIP (Human Investment Project) Housing was celebrating its 50th year of helping people find safe and stable housing, and LaVar Burton, the blind Lieutenant Commander for Star Trek: The Next Generation, was the guest speaker. His credits also include his breakout portrayal of Kunta Kinte in Roots, and being the longtime host of Reading Rainbow in addition to 13 Emmys, 1 Grammy, and 5 NAACP Awards. And if that wasn't enough, he directed several episodes of Next Generation. Quite a curriculum vitae, or whatever they call it in Klingon.
I discussed my needs with the HIP Event Coordinator, and we agreed that that I should arrive at 4:00 to scout out the location and shoot some available light photos during Mr. La Forge's Burton's on-stage discussion with Kate Comfort Harr. After Geordi's La Var's exit, there would be an auction, followed by a Meet And Greet at 7:00 pm. I had discussed the possibility of making a photo that included the two HIP co-founders, and hoped they could stay around to make this photo with Mr. Kinte Burton. When the speeches ended, the stage was cleared, leaving only the two chairs. A HIP Housing backdrop (not shown) was installed behind the two chairs. Very Red Carpet.
Those who registered for the Meet and Greet would be seated next to Mr. Burton and have a photo taken by a staff photographer. When I learned that the two co-founders had left for the evening. I thought about what I could do next, If I could find two HIP executives to pose with Mr. Burton, I could still get a meaningful shot. As the M&G proceeded, I decided to use the theater itself as a backdrop. A few quick sketch photographs proved that it was was entirely possible. I decided that I'd use a conventional Daylight White Balance preset, since I wasn't really happy with the colors produced by a CTO gelled flash. By going with Daylight, that one variable was eliminated. The on-camera flash head was turned rearward and aimed at the HIP Housing backdrop which was, luckily for me, reflective and white.
The first sketch shot pointed out some flaws. First, I had to alter my shooting angle to avoid the light bisecting some heads. Secondly, I needed to minimize the sparse look of a theater being cleaned up after the show. And finally, I needed to do something with their hands. As a general rule, one should include the subject's arms in their entirety whenever possible. Legs you can't do much about, but an absence of hands is a little unsettling. Since all the subjects appeared to be in good spirits, I asked if they would do a "Chorus Line" pose where they held hands as though preparing to bow to an audience. They were comfortable with the idea, so the next shots would be posed accordingly.
For the final image, I had my tallest subject take a half-step away from the camera. This brought her perceived height closer to Mr. Burton's. Also, all three heads cleared the lighting fixture in the background. While I liked the final shot, I should have had the two ladies bring their "outside" hands where the camera could see them. This would leave no doubt in the minds of the viewers that my subjects were duos utebatur*. I must say that I think their smiles do all of the heavy lifting in the photograph. The Daylight preset gave the theater a warm appearance, and the tight cropping made the deconstructed seating area all but invisible.
From The Enterprise Bridge: I searched the web for a La Forge quote to use as a closer. I liked this one the best.
"What can I say? To us it's a slime pit, but to them it's home"
Live long and prosper. Oops. Wrong Generation.
*Latin translation for "two handed"
