APERTURE: F/9,5

SHUTTER SPEED: 1/350 SEC

CAMERA: HASSELBLAD X1D-50C

FOCAL LENGTH: 45MM (XCD 3,5/45)

© CLARISSA BONET

WEEKLY WINNER

Clarissa Bonet

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA

What made you become the photographer you are today?

As a teenager, I instantly connected with the medium of photography. I was fascinated by the camera’s ability to transform the world in front of the lens. Since then, I studied photography and art for many years earning an MFA from Columbia College Chicago and became a professional artist. Over the years, I have developed an artistic voice and style that informs my assignment work.

What does the X System camera do for your photography?

Most of my personal projects and assignments are shot on location, often in the urban environment of Chicago where I live and work. I chose the X System specifically for its compact size and wide dynamic range, which are important when shooting on the streets with natural light.

Tell us the story behind how you created your image.

This image is part of a fashion editorial I shot for Chicago Magazine that celebrates both the Bauhaus movement and architect Mies van der Rohe. The assignment was shot on location at multiple Mies buildings throughout the Chicagoland area. When thinking through the assignment, I knew the images must reference the Bauhaus style – minimalist, graphic, with bold lines and shapes. After scouting the location at multiple times of the day, I knew exactly when a slim beam of light would open on the west side of the building, creating a bold, graphic band of light for our model to stand in. This specific image was made in Federal Plaza, which has three Mies buildings next to each other. To capture all three buildings in the same frame, I used the 45mm lens and stood in the middle of the street during a red light. An assistant watched for cars so I could focus on nailing the shot.