A Brenizer portrait is a composite image created by combining 9-15 different shots into a single final image. This technique is usually done with a full frame digital camera, but the final image has the same perspective as that captured on a medium format camera. In this video, photographer Steven Schultz takes this technique a step further by using a medium format film camera to create a Brenizer portrait.
I’m not familiar with this type of portrait, but after watching the video, I wanted to give it a try, so I contacted Steven, who walked me through the process. For initial photography, it is best to use a 50mm lens and shoot in portrait orientation. Start with a portrait of your subject where the subject is centered in the canvas. Then imagine a grid of nine rectangles where the first image is the center of the grid. Now, start taking a series of three shots where you have the subject lower in the frame. This means you are aiming your camera higher than the original image and taking one photo with the camera aimed to the left of the subject, one with the camera aimed directly above the subject and one with the camera direction to the right. Next, take a series of three photos at the same height where you took the original photo. Technically, you can skip the middle photo because it will be the same as the first photo you took. Finally, point your camera lower and take the last three photos. If this process sounds tedious, I can assure you it is not; you can take all these pictures in tgree or four seconds.
When you take a photo, it’s important that you focus on your subject for the first shot and then lock focus for all subsequent shots. Also, use a lens with a focal length of at least 50mm or more. If you shoot with a wider focal length, such as a 35mm lens, the subject will be distorted and the depth of field will be wide. To create a medium format look, you must use a focal length, and the distance between the subject and the camera will create both compression and a shallow depth of field.
While there’s no exact formula for how to compose your shot and after the first shot, if you try to get 30% overlap in your composition, you’ll likely be satisfied with the final composite photo. Depending on how far away you are from the subject, additional images may or may not show the subject. Elements of the background will certainly be repeated. You’re creating art, so be prepared to experiment. For the photos to accompany this article, I have four attempts to create a Brenizer portrait, and I am satisfied with each final composite.
Watch the video for details on assembling images in Lightroom. For more on Steven Schultz’s work, see website.
