The classic Hollywood Noir Portrait is contrasty with rich blacks and glowing whites. It also helps if you have a sultry looking female to pose for you,
Producing such an image is not only fun, it is fairly straightforward if you follow some simple steps.
Step 1. Keep it dark!
A black background is a great option. I tend to use seamless paper rolls but a dark cloth backdrop works just fine too!.
Step 2. Keep the light simple!
Start simple with just one key light coming from above the model and slightly to one side of the camera, In the example here, the light ( a Profoto D1 Air 500 strobe) was a positioned about one foot higher than the model and about 60 degrees 4 feet away to her left - it lit her left side and produced deep shadow on her right side .
Step 3 Don't spill the light!
Try not to let any light spill onto the background. Use a flag (something to block the light) between the light and the background. A soft-box has sides specifically to prevent light from spreading. Here I wanted more directional control over the light so I used a regular 7" zoom reflector with a 10 degree grid . A piece of black foamcore board was used to the right of the light to prtevent spillage. I have also been known to use black aluminum foil (Rosco Cinefoil is my favorite) to achieve the same result.
Step 4 Get in close!
When shooting with a single light there is a lot of shadow area that adds little or nothing to the shot if you include it. I much prefer to get close. You should not be afraid to crop and perform photographic amputations with the frame.
Step 5 Choose the right lens
A 50mm lens is ideal for this kind of shot. Getting in close with a wide aperture will narrow the depth of field and cause the background to become blurred out. Use a ens that is wider then 50mm and you risk introducing some major distortion to the shot (great if that's what you like}.
Lighting Diagram showing simple set-up with one light.
Additional information and alternative approaches.
My model for this shoot, (Delphi) has wonderful hair that easily picks up the light from a strobe, If your model's hair isn't quite as obliging you could add a second light to act as a hair ligh. Place it above and to one side of your model to add some extra highlights. Make sure that the beam is narrow (use a snoot) or if you don't have one wrap some black foil around the head and create a makeshift snoot.
If you are using speedlights instead of studio lights then you may weant to invest in a Rogue Flash Bender to wrap around the head of your flash or better still buy the Rogue Grid - a small honeycomb grid attachment that allows you to realyl direct your speedlight (it also comes with clor correction and creative gels).
Equipment and Technicals
Lights: A single Profoto D1 Air 500 Strobe
Modifiers: One 3' by 2' piece of black foamcore
Background: Black seamless paper
Triggers: Phottix Ares manual trigger system (great value at around $60 for a set)
Camera: Canon 5d Mark II
Lens: Sigma 50mm f1.4 Prime
Classes available
Check out Ian's regular photography workshops at
http://www.meetup.com/photoworks
Links
Ian uses:
Profoto Lighting Equipment http://www.profoto.com/us
Rosco gels and foil http://www.rosco.com
Rogue Grids and Flash Benders http://www.expoimaging.com/
Phottix triggers http://www.phottix.com
If you are in the Boston area you can get great deals on all of these products at
E.P. Levine
219 Bear HIll Road
Waltham MA 02451
Tel: 617-921-5767
Please Note: Occasionally the equipment mentioned in this review is loaned and/or provided to me by E.P. Levine, ExpoImaging and Phottix.
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