This is a self portrait done by artist Chuck Close
I chose this photograph hoping that I would be able to figure out the lighting of it. I decided that i think the brightest light is on the right and there is probably a reflector screen on the left. I think there may be a light on the backdrop and it looks like if there is one it's pointing up from the floor behind him. I'm not sure if they're correct but that's my guess. Otherwise I like this photo a lot. I love his expression, sort of a why are you taking this picture expression which seems silly because it's a self-portrait. The subject is in good focus while the backdrop seems blurry and the shirt is not distracting because there are other areas of dark shadow in the photo.
If you're not familiar with Chuck Close's work you should check it out. This is a very tame example of what he normally does. He is first and foremost a portrait painter. He uses photographs as a reference but he makes ten-foot tall paintings that are almost photorealistic when you stand back, but when you get closer you realize it's all done with circles and dots of pure paint that have been added to a grid. Incredible stuff.
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