We stepped back into the studio – specifically B3K Digital – for a special session with Canadian photographer Nicholas Hyatt, who demonstrated how film had found its way back into the heart of commercial photography.
Nicholas walked us through his complete workflow, from the first lighting setup to the final frame, showing how he blended practical effects with refined studio techniques. Throughout the session, he explained why shooting film wasn’t merely a stylistic decision, but a philosophical one. In an era saturated with digitally fabricated imagery, film brought something increasingly rare: intention, material honesty and a sense of reality that clients were actively seeking.
Digital
Ektar 100
During the demonstration, Nicholas guided us through two distinct product photography setups: a glass Red Bull energy drink bottle and an open egg sculpture. The first setup was lit using a broncolor Satos power pack paired with Pulso L lamps and softboxes. For the egg sculpture, he switched to a Picolite with Projection Attachment alongside two Pulso L lamps, clearly illustrating why the Picolite remained his go-to tool for precise, controlled lighting of small subjects. Small subject, big opinions – that’s fair!
The session unfolded as both a technical demonstration and an open conversation about bringing film back into the commercial studio environment. Nicholas showed how film could be processed and seamlessly integrated into an existing digital workflow, making it less of a nostalgic indulgence and more of a practical creative option.
Digital
Ektar 100
As the shoot progressed, Nicholas presented his workflow and lighting techniques across multiple product setups, building each image from start to finish. Practical effects and real-world studio lighting tricks were mixed thoughtfully, reinforcing the idea that craftsmanship still mattered. Running parallel to the technical instruction was an ongoing discussion about the benefits of shooting film as both a stylistic and philosophical choice – one that helped restore authenticity in a space increasingly shaped by manufactured perfection. This authenticity, as Nicholas emphasized, had become a powerful selling point for clients looking to differentiate themselves and align with genuine values.
All photographs were captured on an Arca Swiss Monolith camera with a Schneider Digitar 80 Macro lens and Horseman 6×9 Film Back using an Arca Swiss Rotaslide to go between a Phase One IQ4 150 digital back and a film back loaded with Kodak Ektar 100, offering a clear demonstration of the precision and control a technical camera provided in product photography. The film was processed by Graination, with final images shared with attendees after the workshop so everyone could see how the process translated into finished work.
Digital
Ektar 100
Adding another layer to the day, Will Prentice from broncolor Canada showcased the latest lighting innovations, including the new battery-powered Stelos monolight heads and the advanced RFS 3 system. Between classic film workflows and cutting-edge lighting tools, the session bridged generations of image-making in a way that felt refreshingly forward-looking.
By the end of the day, we had witnessed film and lighting craftsmanship in action – and reimagined what was possible in the modern commercial studio. Sometimes, moving forward really does mean going back.
ABOUT NICHOLAS HYATT
Nicholas Hyatt is a Toronto-based photographer whose work is defined by restraint and a sculptural approach to light and form. Working at the intersection of fine art and luxury retail, he favours quiet precision over spectacle, inviting viewers to slow down and engage with material and detail. Largely unconcerned with visual trends or short-lived aesthetics, Hyatt’s work resists immediacy. In an image-saturated landscape driven by excess, his photographs simmer. They aren’t designed to shout, but to remain.
Influenced by photographers such as Irving Penn and Herb Ritts, Hyatt is best known for his body studies, still life and fashion work where form, texture and negative space are treated with equal importance. He has collaborated with clients including Lune 1860, Sephora Canada, Former Girlfriend and NUVO Magazine. His background in the fine and high jewellery industry – where precision and detail are non-negotiable – continue to shape his photographic eye.
By allowing his personal work to drive his commissioned projects, Hyatt maintains a visual language rooted in trust, curiosity and measured restraint.
Follow Nicholas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholas__hyatt
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