Calm Photos

I watch very little television. It’s not because there’s nothing worth watching. The fact is there’s TOO much to watch, so I’ve been tuning out over the last several years. Sensory overload.

The Sopranos was one of the few exceptions despite the fact that I missed that last two or three seasons. The show got to be a bit too dark for me, so I took a self-imposed Sopranos hiatus.

Well, I can safely say that the break is over. I’m hooked again with the start of the new season. Why? The writing, directing and acting are some of the best to be viewed, whether on television or in the theater. Also, I find myself wanting to know where Tony’s life journey takes him. His visions while in a coma were interesting, to say the least.

I also see the stories and characters so reflective of real life. The Sopranos lays it out on the table for everyone to see. It’s as if we have an hour to step outside of ourselves and examine our ugly insides like a cadaver that’s been cut-up for examination.

Although not nearly as violent or bloody, the vast majority of families and business organizations are no different when it comes to people being conniving, manipulating, greedy little you-know-whats. There’s also the cafeful placement of those human qualities we find ourselves wanting - courage, commitment, love, most often displayed by the main character himself (but usually in very ugly situations).

But there’s a visual impact displayed by the show that holds my attention. Another reason why I find The Sopranos so captivating is the photography. The light in each and every scene is carefully calculated and captured to enhance the impact of the actors and the script. In fact, in the “Behind the Scenes” page of The Sopranos website you can find a fascinating visual essay by Alik Sakharov, ASC, the Director of Photography for the show.

He offers a great quote: “We create the mood not by lighting the character, but lighting the environment.” Sakharov is also an avid believer in minimalism, the ‘less is more’ theory to visual communication.

This is the perfect way to approach still photography, whether commercial, portrait, editorial or nature/landscape.

The most effective imagery is that which draws the viewer in without the viewer even realizing it.

Now with that said, can we all agree that Paulie Walnuts has got to go ?!?!