One of the questions I get asked most often is: “How do you capture such clear and vibrant photos in dark setups?” A lot of people admire my deep shadows, bright contrasting colors, and dreamy looks, but getting there involves more than just post-processing. It’s about having a solid foundation with the right gear, techniques, and deliberate choices.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through how I achieved one of my favorite shots from my recent Ignis Umbra ShadowPlay series. This particular setup features my fiancé, Snappy Matheny (aka @gingermortician), rocking her incredible trad goth look. If you’re not following her already, check out her Instagram at www.instagram.com/gingermortician.

Gear and Lighting Setup

For this setup, I used:

• Amaran 300W Projector Lights: One with a Spotlight SE 19° Lens Kit set to a reddish-orange hue, and another with a large softbox set to teal. These complementary colors create natural contrast and depth.

• Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM Lens (@sonyalpha): This is my go-to lens for sharp, detailed portraits with beautiful bokeh.

• Spckrft Studio (@spckrft): The perfect space for experimenting with light and shadow.

Camera Settings

Here’s the breakdown of my settings for this shot:

• Shutter Speed: 1/250 (to freeze motion and prevent any handshake blur).

• Aperture: f/2 (a sweet spot for dreamy, shallow depth of field while maintaining sharpness).

• ISO: 320-480 (low enough to minimize noise but high enough to maintain proper exposure).

A key takeaway: The ISO is less of a concern thanks to AI-powered denoise tools in Lightroom. While I could’ve shot at ISO 100, that would’ve forced me to compromise either the shutter speed or aperture—neither of which I’m willing to do for my style.

Balancing Light for Clarity

While the red and teal lights created a striking look, they tend to wash out natural details, especially in the eyes. To counter this, I added a small white key light close to her face. This light helped preserve her natural blue eyes, preventing the colored lights from dominating her features.

Here’s the trick with colored lighting: White light “erases” colored light where it touches, so you need to find the right balance. Too much white light will overpower your color scheme, while too little will leave the subject looking flat or unnatural.

Enhancing the Background

To create depth, I used these techniques:

1. Fog Effect: Added in post to soften and texture the background.

2. Cooler Background Tones: Cooling the background makes it appear farther away, helping the subject stand out.

3. Clarity on the Subject: Increasing clarity and contrast on the model further separates her from the background, drawing the viewer’s eye.

Why Auto Settings Won’t Cut It

If you’re used to relying on auto settings, achieving this look might feel like a challenge. Most cameras are designed to neutralize such dramatic lighting, which is why manual control is essential.

Key settings to focus on:

• Shutter Speed: Keep it high to reduce motion blur.

• Aperture: Adjust based on the number of subjects and your desired depth of field.

• ISO: Balance noise reduction with adequate exposure.

Summary of Techniques

• Use complementary colored lights to create dynamic contrast.

• Add a white key light to preserve natural features like eye color.

• Use a high shutter speed and a low aperture to create a dreamy, clear portrait.

• Enhance the subject’s clarity in post-processing to separate them from the background.

What’s Next?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! What part of my process would you like to learn more about? Drop your questions in the comments, and I might turn them into a future blog post.