Light (on Nikolai Striebel)

Light is the most important element in photography — apart from maybe the person who is being photographed (in this case professional, award-winning magician Nikolai Striebel . It’s not just any light that creates a compelling image — it’s the quality of light: its direction, intensity, and color all shape the final impression.

What brings a portrait to life is how it’s lit. The light in a photo doesn’t just illuminate — it tells a story. It defines the mood, enhances the atmosphere, and subtly directs the viewer’s eye.

In this case, I wanted a light atmosphere because Nikolai Striebel’s magic is mostly done with paper planes — that’s what he’s famous for. Paper planes are rather airy and light, so I wanted to capture that feeling in the photos. Also, they don’t usually follow straight lines — not even when Nikolai throws them — so I liked using straight light streaks to create a contrast with the way a paper plane moves.

Next time you see a portrait that moves you, take a moment to notice the light — it’s probably working harder than you think.