Question

The Mona Lisa is one of the greatest portrait paintings in the world. A magazine wants to recreate this painting in a photograph and you have been asked to photograph it. By looking at this picture of Mona Lisa (see attached picture of Mona Lisa), describe what kind of camera you will use, what accessories you might require, the kind of lens that you would prefer, and how you will set the depth of field and exposure. First, deconstruct the painting and then analyze each element and reproduce the same effect in a photograph.

Cover these elements:
1. deconstruction into foreground, middle, and background
2. framing
3. camera type and lens
4. basic lighting
5. depth of field

Answer 1

1. Deconstruction into foreground, middle, and background:

The painting can be deconstructed into three main parts - the foreground (Mona Lisa and her hand), the middle (the bridge behind her), and the background (the landscape and sky). To recreate this in a photograph, I would need to identify the subject (Mona Lisa), the supporting elements (bridge, landscape, sky), and the key focal points (her eyes and smile).

2. Framing:

Framing is a crucial element in recreating the Mona Lisa photograph. I would want to ensure the same positioning and framing as the painting. This means positioning the camera at eye level to the subject and applying the rule of thirds to the composition.

3. Camera type and lens:

To capture a high-resolution photograph of the Mona Lisa, I would need to use a high-quality camera. I would consider using a DSLR camera paired with a standard or zoom lens to allow me more flexibility in framing and composition.

4. Basic lighting:

The Mona Lisa is known for its soft and natural lighting. To recreate this in a photograph, I would prefer to use natural light with reflectors to fill in any shadows or dark areas. I might also use artificial lighting if needed, such as a softbox or diffuser, to achieve the same soft lighting effect.

5. Depth of field:

In the Mona Lisa painting, the depth of field is quite shallow. To replicate this in a photograph, I would need to use a large aperture lens or select a shallow depth of field setting. This would provide the same blurry background effect and help draw attention to the subject's face..