Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Creative Spotlight: Mark Mann

14/10/2019

Glasgow born and New York bred portrait and celebrity photographer, Mark Mann, has shot some of the world's most recognisable faces, from Benedict Cumberbatch to Barack Obama. A keen creative even from a young age, Mark was especially interested in the magic of the darkroom. But it wasn't until a chance encounter with a photography student on the train to Edinburgh that he really considered it as a field of study.

I've always had an interest in photography, but I was too young to understand that it could be a career outside of events and weddings, Mark says. This woman on the train told me about how she would shoot portraits and fashion too and that intrigued me.

Mark went on to study photography at Manchester Polytechnic - the same university as the stranger he'd met on the train - before moving to New York where he's lived for the last 20 years.

In this time, Mark has developed a unique shooting style with an emphasis on keeping his setup simple. I like to keep my gear to a minimum, Mark explains. It can be really overwhelming for someone walking into the studio and there being gear everywhere. Lit with just one Anova PRO 2, Mark considers his portrait of Olivia Wilde (below) an example of how a simple portrait can be incredibly effective. I like to use just one light positioned slightly above the subject to really emphasise the cheekbones and get that round catchlight.

Throughout his career, Mark had used traditional strobe lighting but found that there were situations where it was adding more problems than it was solving. I'm often in the position where I haven't got a lot of space to work with and strobes just aren't practical, Mark explains. You get a lot of light from strobes - too much light when you're working in a small space. There's not enough space for all of the modifiers you need to diffuse it.

There are plenty of people who also just don't like being shot with flash, Mark continues. Richard Branson and Francis Ford Coppola are just a couple of examples I've worked with. People are very conscious flash and instinctively pose.

Looking for a lighting solution that would streamline his workflow in high turnaround environments like film festivals whilst still allowing him to capture images in his iconic, high contrast style, Mark found Rotolight. Rotolight offer an all-in-one solution for that provides the shoot what you see benefits of continuous lighting as well as High Speed Sync flash capabilities with zero recycle time. Using Rotolight, Mark is able to save both time and space in studio; eliminating unnecessary excess gear with its dual functionality.

While Mark shoots much of his photography using the Rotolight Anova PRO 2, he always keeps a NEO 2 with him in his camera bag. Compact and lightweight, the NEO 2 is the perfect companion no matter where you're shooting and can quickly and easily be put into action. The first time Mark ever used the NEO 2 was shooting Game of Thrones star, Peter Dinklage for Deadline magazine (below). Having brought no other lights with him, Mark pictured capturing a flattering natural light portrait as the sun reflected off of the building opposite him. What couldn't be anticipated was the fact that Dinklage was running late for the shoot, and the perfect lighting that Mark was looking forward to utilising faded.

I had to get someone to run down to the shop to buy some batteries because I wasn't expecting to use anything other than natural light, Mark admits. The thing I love about continuous light is that it lets me work quickly when a client is late - and it happens. I can focus on the image I want to take rather than the setup.

Versatile, consistent and reliable, the Anova PRO 2 also looks good on set and I know it will always deliver in high turnaround environments. As a photographer who's being asked more and more to shoot video and stills at the same time, Rotolight has really improved my work flow, says Mann.

Don't miss the opportunity to learn from Mark yourself at PhotoPlus in New York from 24th 26th October where we will have special show offers on our stand 853.
LINK: https://www.rotolight.com/creative-spotlight-mark-mann/...
See more stories from rotolight

More from Rotolight

06/07/2022

Try Before You Buy, Rotolight partners with Hireacamera

This firmware upgrade adds a number of powerful enhancements to the functionality of the ground-breaking new lights whilst also implementing some popular user-r...

06/07/2022

Try Before You Buy, Rotolight partners with Hire A Camera

This firmware upgrade adds a number of powerful enhancements to the functionality of the ground-breaking new lights whilst also implementing some popular user-r...

29/06/2022

Rotolight announces new Firmware 1.2 for NEO 3 and AEOS 2

Delivering a genuine revolution in lighting control, the Rotolight SmartSoft Box has been developed to save photographers and filmmakers both time and money, a...

30/05/2022

Rotolight debut's the WORLDS FIRST electronic SmartSoft Box

Amateur Photographer magazine Editor, Nigel Atherton, introduced the accolade and the Rotolight NEO 3 and AEOS 2 by stating, It's funny, you wait years for...

22/04/2022

Rotolight announces strategic partnership with CMS Distribution

Amateur Photographer magazine Editor, Nigel Atherton, introduced the accolade and the Rotolight NEO 3 and AEOS 2 by stating, It's funny, you wait years for...

08/04/2022

ROTOLIGHT NEO 3 WIN LIGHTING PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AT AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER AWARDS 2022

Photography News Awarded NEO 3 as the Best On-Camera Flash light in their late 2...

02/03/2022

NEO 3 wins Best On-Camera Flash

Rotolight has announced a series of exclusive Photo Walks and Lighting Masterclasses for photography enthusiasts. The events offer participants an exceptional o...

25/01/2022

Rotolight UK Tour with Sam Nash

As of January 1st, 2022, all of The Creativity Hub's unique UK & European photography workshops will offer guests the opportunity to get hands-on with the w...

23/12/2021

Rotolight become exclusive lighting partner to Creativity Hub Events

Rotolight, has broken all records as the most funded photography & video LED light in Kickstarter history with over $860,000 raised in just 35 days for the revo...

06/12/2021

Rotolight NEO 3 and AEOS 2 become MOST FUNDED LED lights in Kickstarter history

Earlier this year, Rotolight provided award-winning cinematographer, Denson Baker (Ophelia, The Luminaries, Victoria, Get Out, Dominia), with an arsenal of Tita...

11/11/2021

ROTOLIGHT TITAN LIGHTS PERIOD FILM THE COLOUR ROOM', STARRING PHOEBE DYNEVOR

Rotolight is delighted to announce that leading rental house Pixipixel have added 40 of the award-winning Titan X2 and X1 cinematic lights to its inventory. Pix...

16/08/2021

Pixipixel invest in Titan for Rental

Rotolight is delighted to be partnering with Enigma 3 to bring their award-winning Titan X2 cinematic lighting to a variety of productions in the USA. A studio ...

29/07/2021

Enigma 3 invest in Titan X2 for Studio & Rental

See the first look at Bridgerton star, Phoebe Dynevor, star as prominent ceramicist, Clarice Cliff who came to fame in the 1920s, redefining the art and becomin...

30/04/2021

First Look: The Colour Room

We're delighted that the Rotolight Titan X2 has been named Best Light Panel' in Pro Moviemaker's 2020 Gear of the Year Awards. In their initial re...

19/03/2021

Titan X2 named best light panel of 2020 by Pro Moviemaker

The reviews are coming in for the new Rotolight Titan X1 with some of the industry's most trusted professionals getting hands-on with the new fixture. The T...

10/03/2021

Find out what the professionals are saying about the Titan X1

Today Rotolight are announcing a Trade-Up' program that enables filmmakers and photographers to upgrade to the latest in award-winning LED technology, Tita...

01/02/2021

Introducing Rotolight Trade-Up Program

We're delighted to announce the appointment of Kurt Chapman as UK Cine, Broadcast and Rental Sales Manager. As former Central and Southern European Sales M...

11/11/2020

Rotolight Appoint New UK Cine & Broadcast Sales Manager

We're delighted that our CEO, Rod Aaron Gammons, has been nominated for the People's Choice Award after being awarded the regional title of Entrepreneur...

16/10/2020

Rotolight CEO named one of UK's most ambitious business leaders

Pinewood Studios, London, 10th September 2019: The Rotolight Titan X2 redefines the standard for cinematic lighting. A ground-breaking LED soft light, Titan X...

16/10/2020

Rotolight TITAN X2 Named a Finalist in The Lucie Technical Awards

Rotolight are delighted to announce that our CEO, Rod Aaron Gammons, has been featured on the LDC's list of Top 50 Most Ambitious Leaders supported by The T...

16/10/2020

Rotolight secure 3.5M growth funding from Clydesdale Bank

We're delighted that the brand new Titan X2 has been named Best Lighting Innovation of 2019 by Pro Moviemaker! After a rigorous public vote as part of thei...

16/10/2020

Look your best in your next Zoom meeting

The latest review of the Titan X2 comes from photo-video giant, B&H, where Steven Gladstone got hands-on with our new 2 1 soft light to see for himself the incr...

16/10/2020

Rotolight CEO nominated for Barclays' People's Choice Award

As video calls steadily replace face-to-face meetings and our professional lives move into the digital sphere, how do we keep up with our rapidly changing worki...

20/05/2020

The innovative Titan X2 a game changer says B&H

After rigorous hands-on testing, freelance Director of Photography and Editor for Newsshooter, Matt Allard ACS, summarised his thoughts of the Rotolight Titan X...

14/05/2020

Rotolight Titan X2 is the new the gold standard for cinematic lighting says Newsshooter

One of the most challenging types of photography out there, food photography is ...

09/04/2020

Capturing culinary delights with Donna Crous

One look at Luke and Mandy Woodford's, fantastical and ethereal fine-art photography and you're transported somewhere full of wonder. For the husband an...

17/03/2020

Luke & Mandy say it's time to TALK about mental health

It's official, the hit sci-fi show, The Expanse, is coming back! New episodes are set to hit sometime around December 2020, with filming wrapping mere weeks...

13/03/2020

Rotolight takes to the stars in hit show the Expanse

Award-winning British technology company, Rotolight, who specialise in creating advanced LED lighting for the cinematography, broadcast and photographic industr...

28/02/2020

Pioneering Titan X2 named Lighting Innovation of 2019

We're delighted that the brand new Titan X2 has been named Best Lighting Innovation of 2019 by Pro Moviemaker! After a rigorous public vote as part of thei...

06/02/2020

Rotolight Titan X2 now shipping after unprecedented demand

Rotolight's latest lighting innovation, the Titan X2, has now begun shipping globally after receiving incredible pre-order demand from leading rental house...

11/12/2019

Rotolight Titan X2 and Anova PRO 2 nominated for FOUR Gear of the Year Awards

We're delighted to announce that the new Rotolight Titan X2 and Anova PRO 2 have both been nominated for a total of four Gear of the Year awards from Pro M...

07/11/2019

The Art Of Automotive Photography With Tim Wallace and the Rotolight TITAN X2

We're honoured to announce that the Rotolight Titan X2 has been named as a finalist in the Lucie Technical Awards! Honouring the innovations that have adv...

07/11/2019

Rotolight Secure Further Investment Following Succesful TITAN X2 Launch

Renowned commercial photographer, Tim Wallace, started his journey developing film in a cupboard at the age of seven; not picking up a camera until almost ten y...

14/10/2019

Creative Spotlight: Mark Mann

Glasgow born and New York bred portrait and celebrity photographer, Mark Mann, has shot some of the world's most recognisable faces, from Benedict Cumberbat...

10/09/2019

A NEW ERA OF CINEMATIC LIGHTING: THE ROTOLIGHT TITAN X2

Pinewood Studios, London, 10th September 2019: The Rotolight Titan X2 redefines the standard for cinematic lighting. A ground-breaking LED soft light, Titan X...

31/07/2019

Creative Spotlight: Luke & Mandy

Boasting the wide spread of an umbrella but the light efficiency of a softbox, the new Rotolight Illuminator is perfect for replicating daylight. So we met up w...

04/06/2019

Create natural-looking portraits with Jason Lanier

Even in the midst of teaching, Rotolight Master of Light, Jason Lanier, isn't one to shy away from fun themed shoots, intriguing locations and quirky costum...

31/05/2019

Master your lighting with renowned fine art, portrait and celebrity photographer Greg Gorman

Shooting some of Hollywood's most recognisable faces with a career that span...

23/05/2019

ROTOLIGHT ISSUES HIGH COURT PROCEEDINGS TO PROTECT ITS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Pinewood Studios, UK, 23 May 2019: British LED lighting manufacturer Rotolight has today issued high court proceedings against Vibesta B.V. and F&V Photographic...

21/05/2019

Creative Spotlight: Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice are a team of eight UK-based creative wedding photographers and videographers who specialise in capturing their clients' special days across th...

10/05/2019

A race against time: keeping pace with Usain Bolt

With a client like world record holder and eight-time Olympic gold-medallist, Usain Bolt, you have to work fast. Hired by branding and marketing agency, WE ARE...

09/05/2019

Creative Spotlight: Anita Cheung

Anita Cheung is a Toronto-based wedding and family photographer whose light and airy shots capture a fantastic level of detail. Now running her own business, Rh...

08/05/2019

Creating Your Own Home Photography Studio

Quick View SETTING THE SCENE BUILDING A BACKDROP MASTER YOUR LIGHTING ESSENTIAL EXTRAS So, you've decided to take the leap and set up a dedicated home ...

04/05/2019

The art of boudoir photography with Emma Joanne

In the spring of 2018, we met with professional photographer, Emma Joanne, and Amateur Photographer at the eccentric themed Hotel Pelirocco in Brighton for a bo...

01/05/2019

Creative Spotlight: Nave Studio

Founded in 2006 by Jon Edwards, Na ve Studio started as a platform for Jon's freelance photography and film that he was shooting alongside his day job as a ...

29/04/2019

Basic cinematography lighting techniques and how to make the most of them

Quick View Hard vs Soft Light HMI vs Tungsten vs LED HMI Tungsten LED Types of Light Key Light Fill Light Backlighting Practical Lighting Lighting is...

07/04/2019

Creative Spotlight - Devaun Lennox

Devaun is a portrait, fashion and editorial photographer based in Las Vegas, Nevada, who specialises in bold, striking shots with bright backgrounds and creativ...

03/04/2019

Terry Donnelly swings into action with the Rotolight AEOS

In the early hours of a cold January morning, Rotolight Master of Light, Terry Donnelly, took to the streets of New York with a young cosplayer named Elisha Tay...

29/03/2019

10 Famous Photographers That Will Inspire You to Create

Photography has evolved at such an incredible rate since the first photo was taken almost 200 years ago. The first ever photo took an amazing eight hours to e...

26/03/2019

Rotolight Anova PRO 2 named Best Lighting Innovation by BPI News

We had the honour of being awarded Best Lighting Innovation by British Photographic Industry News at The Photography Show this year! Awarded to the pioneering ...