This photograph by Andre D. Wagner surfaced this weekend as part of Ferrari’s press kit introducing Lewis Hamilton as their new F1 driver. I don’t know much about F1, fashion, or sports cars, but I do know this is a powerful photograph. I’ve been following Andre’s work for years now and am probably as much of a fanboy of his as the masses are about Lewis. When I saw this work, I was taken aback by the quiet beauty of a still photograph. Even though F1 is a multi-billion-dollar industry and Ferrari is one of the biggest players, this photograph reads as effortless and unpretentious. Andre created a quiet, intimate moment with a generational athlete without fuss.
Clearly, there is a high level of trust between the sitter and the photographer. This is the only way to achieve the relaxed yet confident posture and timeless nature of the subject. Individually, Andre and Lewis are top-of-the-line professionals and can deliver quality results under pressure. And as a team they created a little magic. From a purely aesthetic viewpoint, I love the following details:
The number by the door that was not retouched.
The perfect placement of the subject's head on the creamy wall.
The rain and overcast light, which were embraced and left unaltered.
The way the viewer’s eye moves in a triangle from the headlight to the eyes to the hands.
The subtle color palette and lovely fill light on the subject.
It’s just a beautiful image made with such class.
Do yourself a favor and look through some of Andre’s work, it’s absolutely stunning.
