Every photograph has a story...
Illuminated by Shadows
When I'm creating a portrait, one of the first things I try to do is visualize how the light in the space will fall on the model. But I'm also thinking about the surrounding environment, including the darker areas of the scene. Some of my favorite portraits are ones where much of the setting remains in shadow. I think there's something about that balance of light and darkness that gives an image atmosphere and makes the illuminated areas feel more important.
This portrait of Kylee, captured last year at the Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet, Illinois, is a good example of what I mean. The mansion, a Gilded Age estate built in 1873 for railroad magnate Jacob A. Henry, is known for its elaborate dark-wood interiors. Kylee arrived wearing a vintage dress set, paired with black patterned stockings and a black, subtly embellished cardigan. The darker clothing blends naturally into the surroundings, while occasional highlights reveal the pattern of the stockings and the beading on her cardigan. The mansion was also decorated for Christmas, and the fairy lights on the tree added another layer of atmosphere.
I positioned Kylee so the window would serve as the primary light source, having her turn toward it to create a classic short-lighting pattern. Much of her face remains in shadow and gives the portrait a dramatic, introspective quality. I also placed a softbox with a very low-powered strobe to her left and slightly behind her, just enough to add a faint rim of light and keep her from disappearing completely into the background.
The Christmas tree gave me another opportunity to work with the light in the scene. I used a Nikon 85mm f/1.8 S wide open at f/1.8 to render the tree lights as soft bokeh. Those little circles of light became a luminous counterpoint to the darker surroundings. I really like how they add a sense of warmth and depth without pulling too much attention away from Kylee.
What I like most about this photograph is how the different tonal elements work together. The background lights give the scene its atmosphere, Kylee's face draws us into the portrait, and the rim light helps define her against the darkness. But maybe most important are the shadows. They give the image much of its character, and I think the photograph would feel very different if everything were more evenly illuminated. For me, the darkness here isn't simply what's left where the light doesn't reach ... it's what gives this particular portrait a sense of mystery, atmosphere, and emotion.
