I love the control that I get when creating in the studio for my portrait and fashion work. Sometimes, however, when shooting without props and against a solid background the space can start to feel a bit sterile and flat. To give the scene more depth I’ve found a few key ways to add more atmosphere and mood to my studio photo shoots. In this video, I discuss my three favorite approaches for creating atmosphere; (1) Lens Flare (2) Filters: Black Pro-Mist 1/8, and (3) Haze.
Let’s take a look at each:
(1) Lens Flare: By adding lens flare into a frame this ‘mistake’ can actually make something feel more environmental. By including the light sources in the image the results can feel like the subject is performing on a stage. For this shot, I included 4 strobes behind the subject, flared back at the camera.
(2) Filters (Black Pro-Mist 1/8 https://adorama.rfvk.net/mPZ71 ): To create haze and moodiness to this shot I then added a Black Pro Mist filter. A black pro mist creates a glow or ‘bloom’ around the highlights. It makes it look as though there is a haze in a room and creates a more cinematic result. These filters come in different strengths, and in this scene, I only required a 1/8 stop because the lights were already flaring at the camera. When I want to imitate the feel of haze in the room when I don’t have lights in the shot, I may lean more toward a full-stop strength.
(3) Haze: Haze is a great way to create a sense of moodiness in your images. With a fog machine, you will actually see the ‘smokey’ plumes in the shot whereas haze is mostly noticeable when backlit. You can add haze with a haze machine https://adorama.rfvk.net/Ao7a7D which is great for filling space and maintaining consistent results. You can also use a much more precise and portable option with Atmosphere in a Can https://adorama.rfvk.net/0JVRXN! While this can get pricey if you use it a lot, it allows you to create targeted areas of haze without filling the entire space.
Combine these three elements and you create a whole lot of atmosphere and moodiness in your images! Now, let’s break down the details of this specific shoot. I created these images using the Canon R5 https://adorama.rfvk.net/JxzdE and Canon RF 24-105mm 4.0 https://adorama.rfvk.net/q74XY. This allowed me to quickly capture full-length shots and then pop in for headshots that showed my model’s emotiveness.
For these shots, I used 6 different strobes to create the look of the subject being on stage/performing.
Backlights: I used 4 Profoto D2s https://adorama.rfvk.net/BXPXqL with a mixture of 10 and 20-degree grids https://adorama.rfvk.net/zv9Yx, https://adorama.rfvk.net/nvn0A. I added CTB (color temperature blue) gels to these lights and pointed them back toward the camera, creating a cool lens flare and depth to the scene.
Main Light: I used a Profoto White Beauty dish https://adorama.rfvk.net/NJNOV with a grid to create flattering illumination on the subject’s face and torso while the grid controlled the spill of light.
Fill Light: I used a Profoto Medium Umbrella https://adorama.rfvk.net/r7xZ3 with diffusion and a cyan gel to add a kiss of blue/cyan to the shadow side of the subject’s face. This helped to reinforce the cool-toned color palette.
The lighting together with an emotive subject and 3 atmospheric tools creates an image with depth and drama!
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Canon R5
https://adorama.rfvk.net/JxzdE
Canon RF 24-105mm 4.0
https://adorama.rfvk.net/q74XY
Atmosphere in a Can
https://adorama.rfvk.net/0JVRXN
Haze Machine:
https://adorama.rfvk.net/Ao7a7D
Tiffen Black Pro Mist (1/8 Stop)
https://adorama.rfvk.net/mPZ71
Tiffen Black Pro Mist (1 Stop)
https://adorama.rfvk.net/4e99G9
Profoto D2
https://adorama.rfvk.net/BXPXqL
Profoto Beauty Dish + Grid
https://adorama.rfvk.net/NJNOV
Profoto 10 Degree
https://adorama.rfvk.net/zv9Yx,
Profoto 20 Degree
https://adorama.rfvk.net/nvn0A
Rosco Creative Gels
https://adorama.rfvk.net/oZDno
Rosco Color Correction Gels
https://adorama.rfvk.net/GroA2
Profoto Medium Umbrella + Diffusion
https://adorama.rfvk.net/r7xZ3
#studioshoot #fashionphotography #adorama
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Makeup: Joanne Gair
Hair: Linh Nguyen
Styling: Raytell Bridges
Video: Samuel Bouret
Model: Irina Roshik
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!