Some portraits are about light. Others are about shadow. This one? It’s about both.
When Abi walked into the studio in this sleek, form-fitting black dress, I knew immediately that I didn’t want to go with a conventional front-lit setup. The outfit was elegant, simple, and strong—I wanted the lighting to reflect that. Something sculptural, something moody, something that let the shadows do just as much work as the highlights.
So, I ditched the standard key light and went for a backlit, low-key approach, where the only light shaping Abi comes from behind.
The Lighting Setup
This setup is beautifully simple but needs a bit of care to get right. I used two Elinchrom FIVEs with 30cm x 100cm gridded softboxes, positioned slightly behind Abi—one on each side. The grids were essential here because they stopped the light from spilling everywhere, keeping the beams controlled and precise. The goal was to just skim the edges of her body, creating that beautiful, sculpted rim light while leaving the front mostly in shadow.
The black backdrop helped absorb any unwanted light bouncing around, keeping the background deep and rich, while also enhancing the contrast of the rim lighting. This is one of those setups where you really need to be careful with positioning—the moment those lights creep too far forward, the effect is gone, and you just end up with a messy, uneven exposure.
Camera & Shooting Approach
For this shot, I used the Nikon Z9 with a 70-200mm f2.8 lens at f/7.1.
I wanted enough depth of field to keep Abi’s entire form crisp while still letting the background fall into darkness. The 70-200mm lens was perfect for this because it let me step back and compress the scene, making the rim lighting feel even more dramatic.
Abi’s pose was another key element here. I asked her to drop her chin slightly and fold her hands behind her back, creating a really strong, pose.
The downward gaze adds a touch of drama I think.
The Final Image
In the final image, the light just kisses the sides of Abi’s face and body, defining her shape without being overpowering. The gridded strip boxes are great for this.
What I Love About This Shot:
- The precision of the rim light – It’s controlled, clean, and adds just enough detail without washing anything out.
- The balance of shadow and light – It’s moody without losing form, letting the subject’s shape do all the talking.
- The simplicity – No distractions, no unnecessary elements—just strong, minimal portraiture.
What I’d Improve
If I were to tweak anything next time, I might experiment with a tiny bit of fill light in the front—maybe just a very subtle reflector at a distance—to bring in the faintest hint of detail in the shadows. I love the mood of the shot but maybe a little extra light from the front might have helped. Who knows? It’s a bit of a balancing act and I don’t always get it spot on!