How I Got This Picture - Trevor Hong Posted On 28th June 2022 To Magazine, Portrait & How I got this picture
We recently shared Trevor Hong's photograph 'The Last Empress of Vietnam' on our Instagram and the response was fantastic so we got in touch to find our how he made it.
Technical Info -
Film Used
ILFORD Delta 100
Format
4x5 Large Format
Camera
Toyo 4x5
Lens
Schneider Kreuznach 150mm f/5.6
Exposure Time
1/30th second
Other Equipment
Octagon softbox, Sekonic lightmeter
Location
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The Last Empress of Vietnam
Firstly, tell us the story behind this image. What inspired you to shoot it?
I have always been fascinated by the old picture of Nam Phuong Empress, she was the last Empress of Vietnam, and known for her beauty and intelligence. So, I was inspired by one of the photos taken of Nam Phuong Empress and wanted to recreate it, and I thought Ilford Delta 100 in 4x5 format is the way to go as back in the day the photos of her were taken on large format cameras as well.
Did you come across any challenges?
One of the biggest challenges is getting the light right, it was rather difficult as my studio wasn’t dark enough so there was quite a bit of ambient light. We had to basically hang black clothes just to try and reduce the ambient light coming into the studio.
What process did you use (Tripod? Set exposure time? Filters? Lighting?)
I placed the 4x5 camera on a tripod, the exposure time was metered at 1/30th of a second, no filter was used, and the lighting was set in a 45 degree angle.
How did you process it?
I processed it in Ilford Ilfotec HC, dilution H (1+63) and for 15 minutes. Funnily enough, I didn’t have a 4x5 developing tank so basically I was using a 120 film tank and placed the emulsion side out and put it in sideway inside the tank.
What about printing?
I am thinking of printing it in 11x14 Ilford FB Classic Matt, as it would fit the “look” of an old painting, also I think FB paper is easier to retouch than RC paper. But I haven’t got the time to print it. Maybe sometime in the beginning of June.
Which paper did you use and what was your printing process?
I am thinking of printing it in 11x14 Ilford FB Classic Matt, guessing I will be split grading Filter 1 and 5.
Image ©Trevor Hong
About The Author
Trevor Hong
A little bit about myself: I’m a Vietnam based photographer. Interestingly, I used to study Medicine in Australia, and actually a specialist in Haematology but I decided to quit practicing Medicine to pursuit film photography and all of its amazing processes, Especially with ILFORD Photo’s black and white film (I really do love Ilford film/paper, not because I get to be featured).