Textures can completely transform the mood of a photo, elevating it from a simple image to a story with depth and character. In my last blog, I focused on creating a hyper-clear representation of the model with a soft, dreamy background, leveraging a wide-open lens (f/2.0). This time, let’s explore a different approach to texture and mood with a photo of the incredible Kit Kindred (@christopherkindred).

The Photo Breakdown

Here’s how I set up and captured this shot:

• Model: @christopherkindred

• Camera: @sonyalpha A7RV

• Lens: 50mm FE f/1.4 GM

• Aperture: f/4.5

• Shutter Speed: 1/125

• Studio: @spckrft

• Lighting: @amarancreators 300c lights and Spotlight SE

For this photo, I opted for very different settings compared to the dreamy, goth-inspired look in my previous blog. Here, I closed the lens down to f/4.5, which created a lot more texture and detail in the image.

Why f/4.5?

I chose a more closed aperture for two key reasons:

1. Capturing Texture
   Kit’s outfit is packed with intricate details—leather straps, woven fabrics, and metallic accents. A higher f-stop lets me capture all of those textures in sharp focus, emphasizing the grit and worn aesthetic of his retro-superhero look.

2. Skin vs. Outfit
   There’s no visible skin in this shot, so I wasn’t concerned about highlighting wrinkles or blemishes. For portraits with skin, I often use a lower f-stop for that dreamy, soft look. However, when shooting men, I tend to use a higher f-stop because wrinkles and textures often enhance their character, giving a distinguished look. Of course, exceptions apply—if the subject has a “pretty boy” vibe, I might lean toward a more forgiving lower f-stop.

Editing with Textures

While the lighting and settings created a great base, the final mood came together in post-processing by adding textures. Here’s what I did:

1. Textured Background
   I brought in high-resolution images of corroded junk and blended them into the background. By playing with blending modes (Overlay, Soft Light, etc.), I created a gritty, aged effect that perfectly complements Kit’s aesthetic.

2. Layering Textures on the Model
   To add even more depth, I layered textures over the model himself—close-up shots of fibers worked well here. Again, I adjusted blending modes until the effect felt natural but impactful. However, I didn’t stop there:

   • I created a mask for the texture layer.

   • Inverted the mask (Command + I).

   • Used a soft brush to paint texture onto specific areas where it felt appropriate—like leather straps or fabric—leaving other areas untouched.

3. Building Atmosphere
   Combining these textures creates the illusion of a dirty, worn, and well-used world—perfect for Kit’s retro superhero in a dark, gritty universe.

The Power of Texture in Storytelling

Textures aren’t just visual elements; they’re storytellers. In this photo, they convey a sense of history, hardship, and resilience. Kit feels like a character pulled straight out of a graphic novel—a hero operating in a world that’s seen better days.

By manipulating textures, you can amplify your subject’s story, whether it’s dreamy and ethereal or raw and gritty.