Creating A Spark

BEHIND THE SHOT

Written by JACKIE KENNEDY

TOP AND CENTER : Blacksmith artist Michael Sebacher plies his trade while photographer Chris Martin works to get our cover shot. (Photo by Jackie Kennedy) Beside Martin, Michelle Thomasula holds portable lighting to capture Sebacher's expression. (Photo by Sandy Hiser)

After interviewing and photographing artisan Michael Sebacher in his blacksmith shop, we knew an image of him applying his trade would make a great cover. The question was: With so many sparks, what angle works best?

We employed photographer Chris Martin for the job in January. Inside Sebacher's art studio/blacksmith shop on a cold winter afternoon, the only heat came from the stove where metals heated in preparation for bending at the blacksmith's will. We migrated toward it in between shots.

Michael Sebacher's trusty companion, Viktor the German Shepherd, does his best to help out with the photo shoot.

Creative Director Sandy Hiser was true to her job title. She directed the shoot, requesting Sebacher to move here, shift there, and proposing different portrait suggestions to Martin. The trick to this shoot was capturing the brilliance of the sparks and balancing the dark background while maintaining proper lighting on our model's face. Sebacher's friend and fellow artist, Michelle Thomasula, came to the rescue by holding a portable mobile light Martin pulled from his handy-dandy photographer's bag of tricks.

Voila!

NCM