Last week, I had the privilege of photographing actor Steven Ogg at my Los Angeles studio for my ongoing Selah Project. It's not unusual for photographers to be inspired by other forms of art, and as many of you may have noticed, my portraiture is heavily influenced by Renaissance Italian masters like Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Titian, and Ribera. Drawing inspiration from these iconic artists, I strive to masterfully recreate the light, atmosphere, and tones of classical portrait paintings in my work. This influence is particularly evident in Selah, my latest and most ambitious project to date.
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.
I'm hoping to finish Selah over the summer and bring it to exhibition in 2025. In this latest series, I captured the profoundly talented actor Andy Serkis. When directing Andy, I asked him to imagine he had taken a long pilgrimage, now reaching the end. He is depicted as a man of faith, almost pensive, taking the time to pause and reflect.
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 influence is even more apparent in my latest project, entitled Selah.
Photography has always been about capturing that fleeting moment, a split-second where past and future converge and are held forever by the click of the shutter. In my Selah project, I’ve taken this concept into the studio, creating a series of portraits where each sitter pauses to prepare for something significant. One of the most compelling images from this project features actress Anna Passey, known for her role as Sienna Blake in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.
