about this image
Shot back in 2011 for a band who was in the process of putting together an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) to send to record labels (more on EPKs, as well as how to shoot images for them in my "Shoot for the Stars" eBook), this image is pretty typical of the kind of shot you will often see bands use for that purpose. The background is clean and uncluttered, and the focus is squarely on the subjects.
strobist info
Each individual band member was shot with a "cross-lighting" setup, which consisted of two 42x18 gridded stripboxes with Elinchrom Ranger Quadras inside, placed at 45 degree angles to each subject both in the front and rear, with the rear light two steps hotter than the front.
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tools & gear used
Photoshop was used to extract each band member from their original background and composite them together into one seamless final product. An excellent plugin called Topaz B&W Effects was used for the black & white conversion.
- Canon 5D Mark III
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens
- Elinchrom Ranger Quadra Studio Strobes
- Westcott 42" x 18" Strip Softboxes
- Westcott 40-Degree Egg Crate Grid for 42" x 18" Strip Softboxes
- Avenger Light Stands
- Avenger Boom Arm with Counterweight