Reverse engineering the work of masters is one of the most effective ways to sharpen a photographer's eye. By dissecting lighting patterns and lens choices, one learns to see light for what it truly is: a tool for storytelling. The goal isn't to replicate a style forever, but to understand the mechanics behind it to eventually craft a unique visual voice.

Platon is renowned for his high-contrast, black-and-white portraits that lend a sense of stature and power to his subjects. Whether photographing world leaders or musicians like Bob Weir, his style relies on specific geometric tension and light placement. 

Achieving this look in a modest home studio requires precision and a deep understanding of aperture and exposure.




A defining characteristic of this style is the perspective. By using a wide-angle lens (around 21mm on full-frame) and shooting from a slightly lower vantage point, the subject appears more statuesque. Unlike traditional portraits that favor longer focal lengths to compress features, this approach embraces slight distortion to create intimacy and presence.

To maintain crispness throughout the frame, a closed-down aperture between f/8 and f/11 is essential. This ensures a deep depth of field where every detail, from the texture of the clothing to the fine lines of the face, remains sharp. This is not about creamy bokeh; it is about the raw, unfiltered detail that provides character to the image.


The lighting setup is deceptively simple yet highly deliberate. A large shoot-through umbrella positioned overhead serves as the primary light source. This placement creates the signature catchlight at the top of the eyes and casts shadows under the nose and chin, defining the face's structure.

To deepen the shadows and prevent light spill, black flags are placed on either side of the subject. This technique, known as negative fill, is crucial for achieving the rich, deep blacks seen in high-end monochrome work. While the background is kept white, it is often refined in post-processing to ensure a clean, distracting-free negative space that makes the subject pop.

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Images and video via Sean Tucker