About the Image

This photograph is a dramatic high-contrast fashion image created in a downtown Atlanta parking lot at night, built entirely by controlling the light. The models stand close together in a sliver of illumination against an almost completely black environment. To me this is almost a color version of film noir, allowing the wardrobe, body language, and edge light to carry the frame.

One model wears a flowing leopard-print with sharp heeled boots, while the other is dressed in a sheer black garment that creates a long, elegant silhouette.

The single strobe head "hard light source", along with the proper flagging, gives the image its sculptural quality, separating the figures from the black background with a razor-clean rim and controlled spill.

My instructions to the models was, "move but do not move your feet as you will quickly be out of the light."

See the BTS photo below.

No "Artificial Intelligence" was used. I haven't run out of the old fashion AI: Actual Intelligence.

Feel free to share: stpvd.com/26/8

For Photographers

The Gear:
Canon camera using 50 ISO, 1/200 shutter speed with a
Sigma 85mm lens set to f2.5 (f2 and two thirds) hand held.

The Light:
Dynalite 1000 watt second pack using a Dynalite "Travel" 2040 head. The head was mounted onto a Manfrotto light stand and is not parallel with the models, it is somewhat behind the models and is why there is no hard light on their faces. I aimed the strobe head to have the reflector just illuminate the ground just past where the models are standing.

We used a Matthews MiniGrip mounted on a Manfrotto light stand to hold a 24x36" Matthews RoadRag solid to block light from falling on the camera side on the ground and to keep from spilling light onto the lens. See BTS below:

 

*Apple Box. This is an industry standard plywood box that measures 20" x 12" x 8" and has hand holes to allow one to pick them up easily. There is also a half apple, that is 20" x 12" x 4", also with hand holes,
a quarter apple with hand holes 20" x 12" x 2" and
a one eight apple with hand holes, also called a pancake, 20" x 12" x 1". You will see these on film sets and on a photoshoot. These are the industry standard in sizes. I made 4 sets about 40 years ago and they are really important to have. See example below:

We are based in Atlanta, Georgia, Los Angeles, USA & Milan, Italy, and serve the nation and travel worldwide for projects, both video and stills. On average we travel 175 days a year from all over the USA, 48 out of 50 states, to Singapore to Japan, Europe and the Middle East. We are normally in Europe 2 or 3 times a year, mostly Italy and Germany, shooting for clients there.

If you would like to use this image, or any of my images for mock or comp use, please just ask. There is never a charge for this service. Educational use is permitted without charge, unless published, but please ask first. All commercial use is available only with a limited copyright release prior to use from the copyright holder, Steve Thornton. Thanks for looking!