I photographed James Rondeau, president and director of Art Institute of Chicago, for a feature marking his 10-year anniversary leading the museum. The story covers his career and the museum's plans for renovation and expansion. Because the article also reports on the 2025 incident involving his conduct on a flight to Germany, I needed to capture a portrait that felt serious and balanced. My goal was to provide an image that evoked his professional vision for the museum's future and the personal controversy he had to address.
How did you get the photo?
This photo was a challenge because museum lighting is usually kept low. I did not have a lot of time to experiment, so I was a bit nervous about lighting it. I used two flashes, one on each side of the subject. I used umbrellas to soften the light so it did not look harsh. I also color corrected my flashes to match the warm yellow glow of the room so the lighting looked natural instead of clashing.
One of the biggest hurdles was the glass. While we did take some photos away from the glass, I wanted to add depth to the image by placing Rondeau between displays. I had to carefully position my lights to avoid creating big, distracting reflections. To add some depth and character to the portrait, I kept the light on the left side slightly stronger than the one on the right. This created a subtle shadow that gave his face more contrast and a more dramatic feel. I played around with the space and tried different angles, and I ultimately liked the look through the glass.
21 more great photos from Sun-Times photographers:
Gov. JB Pritzker and American Federation of Government Employees National Vice President Jason Anderson pay their respects at a memorial for Alex Pretti outside the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Little Italy on Wednesday.
Giacomo Cain/Sun-Times
Protesters gather Saturday under the Little Village Arch on the Southwest Side to condemn the killing of Alex Pretti by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Scott Mechanic, a registered nurse and representative from National Nurses United, speaks Tuesday against actions by federal immigration agents during a vigil for Alex Pretti outside the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in the Illinois Medical District.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Hundreds gather Wednesday with nurses and supporters outside the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center for a vigil to honor Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, was fatally shot Jan. 24 by federal immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Hundreds gather Wednesday with nurses and supporters outside the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center for a vigil to honor Alex Pretti.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Drivers travel on Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive on Tuesday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Blues singer and guitarist Buddy Guy performs at his namesake club Buddy Guy’s Legends on Jan. 23.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
U.S. Senate Democratic candidates Rep. Robin Kelly, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton prepare for a debate at ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago’s studio in the Loop on Thursday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
An ABC 7 production assistant uses a lint roller on U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi ahead of a debate at ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago’s studio on Thursday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Clarissa Flores, founder and CEO of Level Sporting Club, stands in the basement bar of the soon-to-be Level Sporting Club in Lake View.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Volunteer Kenny Robinson Sr. carries boxes of groceries at the Chosen Bethel Family Ministries Bread of Life Food Pantry in Englewood on Monday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) takes photos with supporters after announcing his bid for Illinois’s 4th Congressional District at a rally Wednesday at 5 Estrellas in Gage Park. Sigcho-Lopez is one of the candidates vying for Chuy Garcia’s congressional seat.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Derek Briscoe wears a Bulls jacket Saturday at the United Center, where an exhibit for Derrick Rose was set up.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
A man looks at Lake Michigan from the North Avenue Beach Pier as temperatures plummet in the Chicago area with a wind chill of about -30 degrees on Jan. 23.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
George Miller flings shards of ice while taking a cold plunge in Lake Michigan at Oak Street Beach on Sunday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Ice builds up around the Montrose Harbor Beacon pier, as temperatures plummet in the Chicago area with a wind chill at about -30 degrees on Jan. 23.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Hayley Kimbrueh cheers after completing an icy dip in Lake Michigan at Oak Street Beach on Sunday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Khalilah Johnson, president of Breakaway Community Development, and Kesha Forest, executive director of Breakaway Community Development, stand outside the former Armstrong Elementary school in Austin on Thursday.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Justin Lerias, of Del Sur Bakery, who won a Pastry Chef of the Year Award, reacts during The Banchet Awards at VenueSIX10 in the South Loop on Sunday.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Ratboys guitarist Dave Sagan, vocalist and guitarist Julia Steiner, drummer Marcus Nuccio and bassist Sean Neumann at the Chicago Public Media office on Tuesday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The sun sets over the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse as large chunks of ice float in Lake Michigan on Tuesday.