An Hour with Noah Kalina

So I finally met the man. No, not The Man, but Noah Kalina.

Brighton’s Garage Studios had invited Noah over from Brooklyn to host talks, lighting & portraiture workshops and one-to-one sessions with whoever wanted to see him. When they announced this a month or so ago, I instantly booked some time with him, without really knowing what I was going to do! I mean, it’s not every day you get a chance to spend a little time with someone whos work you admire.

I decided, very late on, to bring in some pictures I’ve been working on with a view to getting his input. Additionally I wanted to delve into his mind a little about the way he approaches his portraits and finally, I wanted to take his picture (hell, I’m a photographer; I can’t NOT take his picture).

I turned up at Garage Studios to find a single table in the middle of the studio, lit with subtle red lights and Noah sitting there, ready and waiting. We went through the prints I’d brought along (yeah, it had to be prints. I mean, what else?) and Noah gave some great feedback and it wasn’t all praise either. His critique was well thought out and reasoned, and he gave me some great advice. Oddly, he confirmed what I had already been wrestling with; that my pictures are generally over-lit.

I then had a chance to talk about some of his pictures and find out a little about how he made them. He’s such an easy-going guy and you can tell he loves what he does.

After shooting the breeze a little, I whipped out my Canon and a single light and grabbed the shots you see above.

60 minutes flew by but it was well worth it. Can’t thank Garage Studios enough for getting him over and as for Noah himself; what a guy! Great photography, extremely passionate and wicked hair to boot!

Thanks Noah.

Andy