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Naga ex-headhunter with a Laptop

This elderly Naga gentlemen is a tattooed ex-headhunter. ( now illegal and forbidden in India). He is looking at a slideshow of himself and his neighbours in t...
Read more

This elderly Naga gentlemen is a tattooed ex-headhunter. ( now illegal and forbidden in India). He is looking at a slideshow of himself and his neighbours in the village on Hongchu, in eastern Nagaland, near the Myanmar border.
Read less

IQ3 100MP Trichr

settings

Aperture f/5.6 ISO 400 Shutter 1/8 Focal Length 550/10

upload_date

May, 2019

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Behind The Lens

Location

This image was taken in the Naga village of Hongphoi. Mon district, Nagaland. Nagaland is the tribal homeland of the multi-tribe Nagas. It straddles the Indian and Myanmar borders, at about 12-1500m altitude in the lower southeast extremes of the Himalayas.

Time

This was a composition I had imagined long before planning a trip to Nagaland. I wanted to use controlled lighting and a black background. Thus it was indoors. Indoors being a thatched hut with a dirt floor, walls of woven bamboo strips and palm frond mats.

Lighting

I was able to black out ambient light with the use of several large Manfrotto portable backdrops. I didn't want a flash and the light emitted from the keyboard was too weak. A slow shutter speed wasn't possible as the subject couldn't comply with the necessity of standing perfectly still. So, as a last ditch attempt, I used a small portable LED video light placed on the keyboard. Besides his tattoos, I wanted to capture his benign expression.

Equipment

When I can create a composition on the road, I use a Phase One 100MPX3 and I recall, a Schneider Kruznacht 110mm f2.8 lens. Also a titanium tripod ( Chinese) and shutter cable. When I tried to get the scene with two Profoto A1 flashes, time allowed didn't permit me the luxury of endless test shots. I had spent 6 days in the village, and was showing him a slideshow of himself and his neighbours. But getting excited about seeing the images, he couldn't keep still. That is when I used the video LED light on the keyboard for the glow I wanted.

Inspiration

I planned to do portraits of the last generation of the last culture of headhunters on the planet. Headhunting in Nagaland, for trophies not cannibalism, was effectively purged in the late 1980s. I've been travelling in India and the subcontinent regularly for the past 50 years and witnessed with increasing speed, the disappearance of ancient tribes and cultural patterns. I wanted to create images of poignant dignity and pride, visible even through the conclusion to their way of life.

Editing

I use Capture One for post-processing. A few adjustments were made with the vignette tool to adjust the glow and background.

In my camera bag

Where I usually travel there is no chance to replacements, repairs or substitutes. I have to pack with the idea that if I need and and don't have it in my bag, I won't get it. My primary camera is the Phase One XP3 100 and SK lenses of 35mm, 55mm, 80mm, 110mm, 150mm and 240mm. Backup camera is a Nikon D850 with only a 105mm macro and 24-70mm N series. The Nikon is ideal for low light situations and also where fast response is critical to capturing an event. The usual cleaning kits, spare lens caps- all sizes, batteries, spare battery charger, Mac laptop, several external hard drives, an extension cable power bar, portable Manfrotto backdrops, two Ai Profoto flashes with stands, a few black/silver disc reflectors, monopod, tripod, small took kit, tape, and some props when space is available.

Feedback

Patience, and bonding with your subject to make them relaxed is crucial. This can't be rushed. It can be fun for everybody or stressful. Tribals aren't easily comfortable around outsiders, so it takes some time. Small gift giving is crucial to bonding. Not some coins, but a thoughtful token. To children I give plastic sandals, pencils/pens and pen cases. To senior men in the villages I may present an modestly-priced LED torch, or simple Paracetemol. Over the counter medicines are frequently asked for by the natives. Soap and small towels are welcome by women. It's the best investment you can make in getting unique opportunities.

See more amazing photos, follow millerb3

millerb3

millerb3

Naga ex-headhunter with a Laptop

This elderly Naga gentlemen is a tattooed ex-headhunter. ( now illegal and forbidden in India). He is looking at a slideshow of himself and his neighbours in t...
Read more

Views

Likes

Awards

Emotions

Top Ranks

Categories

Submitted to Photo Contests

Tags

Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

Discover more photos See all

Behind The Lens

Location

Time

Lighting

Equipment

Inspiration

Editing

In my camera bag

Feedback

See more amazing photos, follow millerb3

millerb3

Naga ex-headhunter with a Laptop

This elderly Naga gentlemen is a tattooed ex-headhunter. ( now illegal and forbidden in India). He is looking at a slideshow of himself and his neighbours in t... Read more

Views

Likes

Awards

Emotions

Top Ranks

Categories

Submitted to Photo Contests

Tags

Same photographer See allBehind The Lens

Discover more photos See all

Behind The Lens

Location

Time

Lighting

Equipment

Inspiration

Editing

In my camera bag

Feedback

See more amazing photos, follow millerb3

This elderly Naga gentlemen is a tattooed ex-headhunter. ( now illegal and forbidden in India). He is looking at a slideshow of himself and his neighbours in t...
Read more

Same photographer See all Behind The Lens