Joan Laporta in Focus, Between Politics and Lighting Experiments

Behind the Scenes with a Political Contender

On Friday, I finally got the go-ahead to photograph Joan Laporta for a magazine profile. These are interesting times in Barcelona—local elections are around the corner, and the air is already thick with political theatre. Ironically, I’d already photographed José Montilla for his campaign site, so I seem to be collecting candidates.

This shoot was quieter, though. No entourage. Just one advisor, who—judging by his calm—might have been new to the political circus. No one tried to orchestrate the session into a full production, which I appreciated.

Time was short, and the journalist Nicola was interviewing Laporta as I shot. That meant eye contact was rare—something editors always want, but I’m less precious about. A strong image can speak with or without a direct gaze.

Lighting, Texture, and a Few Regrets

I wanted to try something different with the lighting—more sculpted, more intense. I set up two or three lights, using grids and a snoot to create a harder, more directional effect. Looking back, I think a shoot-through umbrella might have served the colour images better. But once I converted the shots to black and white, the effect really clicked.

The skin texture is strong—maybe too strong for some tastes—but it works within the narrow field of focus. There’s depth and detail, but it doesn’t overwhelm. It’s not soft, but it has presence.

Colour vs. Black and White

I’m still reviewing the colour versions, though the black-and-white edits feel more complete. They carry a weight that suits the subject—and maybe the moment, too.

Update: I’ve now included a colour version I quite like. There are a few more I’m considering for a slideshow, though I’m not entirely sold on that format. It often feels more clunky than elegant.

Still, it’s satisfying to experiment—and occasionally pull it off.