interview with orbis™ competition winner

When Eirik Slyngstad from Norway recently won the first orbis™ ring flash competition, we decided we’d interview him about his ethereal and unusual winning photo:

Here’s what he said:

enlight: Tell us a little bit about the setup for the photo.. lighting, photo equipment, post processing, etc.
Eirik: The photo is taken outdoor, in front of a tree with snowy branches. I used my Canon EOS 40D, 35mm f/2.0 lens, Speedlite EX580 II and the Orbis ring flash module. Both photos are shot with the lens through the ring flash module.

enlight: How did the orbis(tm) contribute to this ? Tell us about some of the other photos you’ve used your orbis(tm) for, that you’re proud of.
Eirik: The Orbis makes a much more softer light than the bare flash, and it also makes a much more beauty dish like light, so I prefer using the Orbis instead of a small softbox or such. I love the skin tones and the way the Orbis makes the skin glow. I often use the Orbis when shooting musicians, and I’ve used it for some of the photos on my streetfashion blog -> http://www.thestreethearts.com.

enlight: Who is the model; is she a pro or a friend or a contact ? Was this your own work or was this a paid assignment?
Eirik: I shot these photos mainly to test out the Orbis a few days after I got it. The model is Solveig Enstad whom I discovered some years ago, and after that she has worked as a model in Oslo and Paris.

enlight: Is the background on the left real or in studio ?
Eirik: The background is real. It was shot outdoor, and I instructed the model to pull the branches and then run away from the falling snow, so the falling snow you can see in the background is real. I guess it was kinda cold for her. The other photo is shot indoor in front of a white wall.

enlight: The styling is cool, tell us a little bit about it.. the clothes and the hair, and how you got the wind-blown effect.
Eirik: Sissel Klakegg did the styling, hair and make-up. I told her to use shimmer to highlight parts of the face. This looks very good when using a beauty dish or the Orbis. I guess she was in a movement in both of the photos, I rarely use fans for wind-effects in studio or elsewhere.

enlight: What’s on your wishlist, that your prize will either afford you, or contribute towards ?
Eirik: I don’t have my own light meter to use in studio, I always tend to borrow one, but I guess I have the chance at getting my own now.

enlight: Tell us about who and what inspires you.
Eirik: I’m not sure, actually. I find inspiration all around me. I admire the works of stylist Nicola Formichetti.

enlight: Finally, is there any advice you’d give to photographers hoping to pick up some tips from you?
Eirik: Well, I would recommend aspiring fashion photographers to get a job as a photographers assistant.

Thanks Eirik !