drega 3
Originally uploaded by bongopix
With the way hip hop has developed over the decades, I think it’s pretty clear to everyone that “cockiness” is a big part of the genre. In fact, when Sugarhill Gang sang the lyric: “I got bodyguards, I got two big cars.../ I got a Lincoln’ continental and a sunroof Cadillac,” the seminal rap group from Brooklyn cemented the foundations of a music genre that was all about outdoing your fellow MCs. Of course, like every medium of art, hip hop has evolved and grown. I believe that Toronto rapper Drega represents this talented group of young MCs that are currently pushing the boundaries of what hip hop can be.
Drega contacted me first. He mentioned he needed someone to shoot a suitable album cover for his upcoming release, “Man of the Year.” The theme he wanted was “overcoming adversity,” and he wanted to know how I’d approach it. I took it as a fun challenge, sent him a few ideas, and we agreed to make it happen.
Upon meeting Drega, I was instantly impressed by his calm demeanour and laid back attitude. I was half expecting a “rapper personality,” and he was the complete opposite. He really was down to earth. I felt we hit it off very well, staging a number of different shots on Toronto’s Sunnyside Beach. I used two strobes for this shoot, the sb28 and sb26. I shot without umbrellas because there was a light breeze at the lake (Didn’t want any of my investments taking flight and departing from me). It was also still pretty bright for 7pm, so I found myself going into high f-stop territory and blasting the strobes at 1/1 or 1/2. Of course, I also shot without the strobes and mixed in some natural lighting.
The one that Drega chose for the album cover is the photo that I’m blogging about in this post. I like his selection. The 9-foot lifeguard chair that he’s leaning on acted as a useful prop that inspired some of the best frames from the whole shoot. One thing I’m beginning to notice from these strobist shoots is that I don’t necessarily direct my models too much. I’m still trying to figure out whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. I like to think that I can capture my subjects in a “natural state,” so I’m not sure how much I should interfere with how my subjects pose for the camera.
All in all, another good experience. I wish Drega all the best in his music career!
