Capturing the Depth of Reflection with Jared Harris

It’s not unusual for photographers to be inspired by other types of art. As you may have noticed, there is a great deal of Renaissance Italian influence in my portraiture. Drawing inspiration from the Old Master painters like Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Titian, and Ribera, I have attempted to masterfully recreate the light, atmosphere, and tones of classical portrait paintings. This is even more apparent in my latest project entitled Selah.

Capturing the Depth of Reflection with Jared Harris (Rory Lewis Portrait Photographer 2024 Los Angeles CA.

The Hebrew word selah appears throughout the Book of Psalms. Its precise meaning is mysterious, but it is interpreted as a pause to breathe and reflect. It has been my aim throughout the project to attempt to recreate meditative religious scenes, directing my subjects to capture the highest moment of drama. Selah has found its foundation in counter-reformation art. I have been lost in the work of Ribera. His depictions of saints and religious figures draw their inspiration directly from Caravaggio’s tenebrism.

I'm thrilled to share the latest addition to my Selah project, featuring the distinguished British actor Jared Harris. Known for his captivating performances in roles such as Lane Pryce in AMC's Mad Men, King George VI in The Crown, and Valery Legasov in HBO's Chernobyl, Jared Harris is an actor of immense talent and versatility. His extensive career spans television and film, with significant roles in Mr. Deeds, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Lincoln, and Allied. Most recently, he took on the role of Hari Seldon in the Apple TV+ science fiction series Foundation.

In this portrait, I sought to embody the essence of Jared's varied and rich career, capturing a moment of contemplation and depth that reflects the gravity of his performances. The Selah project aims to evoke a sense of pause and introspection, drawing the viewer into a moment suspended in time.

I hope to finish Selah over the summer and bring it to exhibition in 2025. This project is a labor of love, and I look forward to sharing it with you. If you would like to support my projects, please donate below. Your name will be placed on my website and in exhibition literature as a patron, and you will have my deepest admiration and thanks.