In the bustling streets of Bucharest, Romania, Budapest-born Portraiture photographer Bálint Hajagos (who goes by the professional name Bálinth) found himself embarking on a captivating journey with his return client History (formerly known as the History Channel). The assignment? To capture portraits of esteemed Romanian actor Marcel Iures, a luminary of both screen and stage, for the upcoming documentary series Marcel Iures prezinta Enigmele României, exploring the enigmas of Romania’s history, geology, and culture.
The story begins with a serendipitous connection through Chainsaw Europe, the renowned production house filming the series. Longtime friend and Chainsaw producer Dan Draghicescu, extended the opportunity to Bálinth, citing both his artistic skills and unique eye for storytelling. Bálinth had previously collaborated with History on a different project. However, it was his multifaceted background in advertising and cinematography that solidified his selection for this assignment.
My production company, Almost Ready, worked with History for another poster for a different show last year. But we proposed another photographer at that time, and I just produced that shoot.
The shoot unfolded against the backdrop of the historic Carol Library, a 19th-century architectural gem nestled in the heart of Bucharest. The location, initially not available for the shoot, presented an air of grandeur and sophistication, perfectly complementing the esteemed subject and the series’ narrative. With Marcel Iures as his muse and History’s vision as his guide, Bálinth worked his magic.
The location and the talent were given, and they were a perfect match. These types of projects usually have more constraints. On this project, however, the client and the production were very open to my ideas on what and how to shoot. I’ve given a few backup options for framing, light setup, and backgrounds, but they went with my initial proposals.
Bálinth meticulously planned every detail, from scouting the location beforehand to engaging in thoughtful pre-production discussions with the show’s director, Marin Dinescu. Subsequently, with a blend of studio setups and on-location magic, Bálinth painted a portrait fit for the ages.
It offered so many angles for the shooting that we’ve had many areas shortlisted. The hall and the staircase were also considered, but we were lucky to be able to shoot in the main library room, which was initially not available for the shoot day. Although the location looked fantastic on its own, the set designer, Bristena de Satmaari, made remarkable changes and added many details that took it to another level. Since we were prepared with the lights and setup, for the most part, the shooting went fast. We only needed time to set up in the library, where we could use the space for a short time, just before we started to shoot there.
On set, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Bálinth worked tirelessly, alongside his dedicated team of assistants, to bring the vision to life. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the production crew and visiting sponsors, Bálinth maintained his signature blend of professionalism and creativity, earning accolades from both client and subject alike.
It was an absolute honor to work with Mr. Iures. As a preparation, I re-watched the movie Layer Cake, featuring him alongside Daniel Craig, the night before the shooting. I saw it a few times back when it was released, and it was one of my favorites. As I understood, Mr. Iures has a more reserved personality, rarely gives interviews, and tries to avoid tabloids. He is indeed a legend of his craft and a true professional. He was kind and friendly and created a nice vibe on set.
Reflecting on the shoot, Bálinth emphasized the importance of adaptability and ingenuity in navigating the inherent challenges of a fast-paced editorial assignment. Furthermore, his ability to seamlessly blend his expertise in photography and cinematography proved invaluable, yielding a stunning array of images that captured the essence of Iures’ legendary career.
We discovered on the PPM that the client had an issue. They had some sponsors stop by to meet Mr. Iures, and he didn’t have any license-free images to print and autograph for them. We went with my proposal to rent a Canon Selphy printer from a local camera store. It made the shooting more fun for visitors, as we used my trusty Ricoh GR IIIx pocket camera and printed pictures on set for the clients. It was even better than if they’d had postcards with him, as everyone could have autographs with photos of them together with Mr. Iures. I bought a printer like this right after the shoot and used it on other occasions. It’s a fantastic way to give clients, cast, and crew a small gift to remember.
Ultimately, the images surpassed expectations, adorning promotional materials and garnering praise from History and its audience. Additionally, for Bálinth, the project served as a testament to the power of collaboration and the timeless allure of storytelling through the lens of a camera.
My favorite moment was just after we took the last pictures. Although everyone was happy with how the images turned out until then, they didn’t expect what they saw after. I knew exactly what I wanted to achieve, but the talent and the client were also positively surprised with the results of the last round on my screen.
See more of Bálinth’s work on his website.
Credits
Client: History / A+E Networks
Photo Production: Almost Ready
Photo Assitants: Andrei Sabie, Cezar Aaron
Retouch: Ahmad Askar
Production House: Chainsaw Europe
Executive Producer: John Florescu, Viorel Chesaru
Producer: Dan Drăghicescu
Production Manager: Timotei Grămesc
Director: Marin Dinescu
DOP: Andrei Culcușică
Set Designer: Bristena De Satmaari
Costume: Luminița Mihai
Hair: Țiculina Truică
Make-Up: Sandra Potamian
Prod. Coordinator: Cristina Șoiman
Prod. Assistant: Szabolcs Ádám
P.A. To Mr. Iureș: Diana Andreea Didiță
Further Reading
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