Rock Chic Fashion Photography shoot
I find it’s always a good idea to work with a concept when taking on a fashion shoot. This test shoot was to the theme of ‘Rock Chic’.
The shoot was all done in my studio near Oxford with one or two studio strobe mono blocks, depending on the shot (Elinchrom 250 and 500 head). Most of the shots were with just one Elinchrom 500 head with a shoot through umbrella, some shots used a soft box too. The great thing about a shoot though umbrella is that it is very portable, though it didn’t really matter in this instance it just creates a nice light.
This shot was taken at F/6.3, 1/100 second, 55mm at ISO 100. This create just enough depth of field that all of the face is in focus but the hair starts to go out of focus.
I wanted to create a really graphic image and the black cables against the white background achieve this.
A little look at the behind the scenes setup, note the fan heater essential to keep the model happy! I fire the strobe heads with Elinchrom Skyports radio triggers, this reduces the number of cables to trip over around the studio and allows me to move around the studio freely.
We had a lot of fun smashing up an old record, again the contrast of the stark black against the white background works to create an effective high contrast image.
I have included several more shots in the gallery below, please click on a thumbnail to view them larger.Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below
Since I did this shoot I have produced prints of these photos, if you are interested please contact me.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:37 am
these are great for my A level photography i am doing pictures for the rock chick look and advice
June 15th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Hey great tutorial! I’m an extremely newbie with strobing. What output did you use for both of your strobes??? I’m guessing the left side is lower f stop than the one in the shoot through umbrella? I appreciate your reply!
Cheers!
June 19th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Hi thanks for your comment. I typically use about half power on the heads, which gives around F/8 at ISO 100. When using both heads they were at about the same power, but in some of the shots I used only one head to get a more dramatic lighting style. Hope that helps!
October 28th, 2010 at 3:13 am
seriously a huge help for my fashion spread!
November 30th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Amazing Photograpy! Very good help for my Fashion homework.
January 24th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
awesome
February 20th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
great shoots …i would like to take pictures like you 😀
March 14th, 2011 at 3:23 am
love the shots! I want to know what kind of material your backdrop is, because I use muslin backdrops and I can’t stand them, they absorb all the light instead of reflecting it.
March 19th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Hi Tamara. I use 3 meter wide paper rolls to shoot on. Be careful you are not overexposing your background lights, this should reduce the reflection.
May 2nd, 2011 at 3:14 pm
do you have prints available for purchase? been trying to get a hold of you. love your work!
May 3rd, 2011 at 9:46 pm
I have sent you an email Jena, thanks!
February 6th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
I made set with your pictures! I hope you like it! 🙂
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=43398596
February 6th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Hey Emma, the set looks great. Thanks for letting me know – Ed
April 19th, 2012 at 8:07 pm
hi 🙂 i love these photographs 🙂 i used them as inspiration for my a-level work at college, i’d love to show you how mine turned out 🙂
April 24th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Hi Neah,
Sure I would love to see them, can you reply to my email with pictures attached?
Thanks – Ed
November 5th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Hi, love your pictures, they are great inspiration! Do you have any advise on how i could create a image like the one of the set without all the technical equiptment as I am a college student and dont have lights and unmbrellas? As my project at the moment is ‘Day in the life of a fashion model’. Thankyou – Charlotte
November 28th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
You can pickup a basic flashgun and an umbrella for less than £100 which would be a good start. Otherwise you could try using a large white bedsheet held up by some kind of frame in the sun to create a nice soft light.
You could also use the white sheet as a background for your model
Cheers – Ed
November 27th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Whats the name of the model???
November 28th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Her name is Abi Penhale