Figures in Armour [GFX100S, GF63mmF2.8 R WR and GF 110mm f/2 R LM WR]

/u/bangsphoto 1 month ago

Figures in Armour [GFX100S, GF63mmF2.8 R WR and GF 110mm f/2 R LM WR]

I recently did a test shoot with a local HEMA group, PHEMAS, exploring medieval armour in a studio setting. I’ve always been drawn to armour through films and historical references, but most of the time it’s photographed either outdoors or in a more “fantasy” context. I wanted to approach it more like a controlled portrait session instead, something closer to classical European aristocratic paintings but translated into modern photography. Originally, I planned to work with a model, but sourcing armour turned out to be the biggest challenge. Working with a HEMA group made much more sense, since the gear is real, worn, and carries a different kind of presence. The focus for this series was on form, posture and weight. Armour changes how a person stands and moves, and I tried to lean into that rather than over-stylising it. The setup was kept fairly simple so the attention stays on the subject. Lighting was straightforward: • Profoto B2 with a large octa as key (camera left) • Large diffuser in front to soften things out • Godox AD300Pro with a spotlight attachment for controlled highlights / catchlight • Negative fill on camera right Shot on a Fujifilm GFX100S. Also used a hazer for some frames to add a bit of depth. One small change that made a big difference was swapping a canvas backdrop for carpets. It added texture and helped push the images closer to that old-world, painterly feel. Overall, just a small study on how something historical sits in a modern studio context.

GFX 100S

GF 63mm F2.8 R WR GF 110mm F2 R LM WR

Post-Processed