Uploaded August 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In today’s Photo Deconstruction I’m going to show you how I use thrift store shopping and 2 strobes for an eye catching black and white portrait.
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While I love having fabulous wardrobe options for my shoots it isn’t always feasible or necessary. You can create beautiful images inspired by really simple clothing on a budget by picking up wardrobe and props from just about anywhere including a thrift shop, it’s all about using your imagination!
To prove that point, the dress here was $6 and the hat was only $1. Obviously lighting and equipment are excluded but we’re specifically talking about styling.
💡 Lighting:
The main light was a bare bulb with 20 degree grid, a hard light focused on the subject to control spill.
The second light is a bare bulb turned all the way up and pointed at the seamless to blow it out completely.
This is the straight out of camera raw file: 3:24.
From the beginning I planned on this being an elegant and chic image, something bold and graphic, so for that I decided that turning the image to black and white was the best option.
Immediately I knew I wanted to clean up some of the elements so that the image had cleaner lines, so some quick retouching later and I had a good starting point. In terms of processing I popped the contrast basically after turning it black and white.
Simple lighting, simple styling to create a bold, graphic looking image!
👇 Drop a comment below and let me know what you think of the end result.
📸 Camera Settings:
✅ 1/200th
✅ F/9
✅ ISO 200
📸 Gear Used:
✅ Canon EOS R5: https://prf.hn/l/7oZobqW/
✅ Canon RF 24-105mm F/4: https://prf.hn/l/deZLnJq/
✅ Profoto D2: (discontinued, linking to new D3): https://prf.hn/l/K9ENnmk/
✅ Profoto 20 Degree Grid: https://prf.hn/l/ngQVpqz/
✅ Profoto Air Remote: https://prf.hn/l/Kz4yPNW/
✅ Avenger D600 boom arm: https://prf.hn/l/EJDBPD2/
✅ Savage C-Stand: https://prf.hn/l/kV0wEB3/
✅ TetherTools Tether Cable: https://prf.hn/l/vwzRaoJ/
✅ Savage Seamless Super White Background: https://prf.hn/l/KVY4WaM/
🔥 For more DIY styling check out my class Creativity on a Budget: https://lindsayadler.photo/creativity-on-a-budget
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👉 Portfolio: lindsayadlerphotography.com
👉 Instagram: instagram.com/lindsayadler_photo
👉 Facebook: facebook.com/lindsayadlerphotography
👉 Twitter: twitter.com/lindsayadler
👉 Education: learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com
Some of the links in this description contain affiliate links to partners.
In today’s Photo Deconstruction I’m going to show you how I use thrift store shopping and 2 strobes for an eye catching black and white portrait.
-----
While I love having fabulous wardrobe options for my shoots it isn’t always feasible or necessary. You can create beautiful images inspired by really simple clothing on a budget by picking up wardrobe and props from just about anywhere including a thrift shop, it’s all about using your imagination!
To prove that point, the dress here was $6 and the hat was only $1. Obviously lighting and equipment are excluded but we’re specifically talking about styling.
💡 Lighting:
The main light was a bare bulb with 20 degree grid, a hard light focused on the subject to control spill.
The second light is a bare bulb turned all the way up and pointed at the seamless to blow it out completely.
This is the straight out of camera raw file: 3:24.
From the beginning I planned on this being an elegant and chic image, something bold and graphic, so for that I decided that turning the image to black and white was the best option.
Immediately I knew I wanted to clean up some of the elements so that the image had cleaner lines, so some quick retouching later and I had a good starting point. In terms of processing I popped the contrast basically after turning it black and white.
Simple lighting, simple styling to create a bold, graphic looking image!
👇 Drop a comment below and let me know what you think of the end result.
📸 Camera Settings:
✅ 1/200th
✅ F/9
✅ ISO 200
📸 Gear Used:
✅ Canon EOS R5: https://prf.hn/l/7oZobqW/
✅ Canon RF 24-105mm F/4: https://prf.hn/l/deZLnJq/
✅ Profoto D2: (discontinued, linking to new D3): https://prf.hn/l/K9ENnmk/
✅ Profoto 20 Degree Grid: https://prf.hn/l/ngQVpqz/
✅ Profoto Air Remote: https://prf.hn/l/Kz4yPNW/
✅ Avenger D600 boom arm: https://prf.hn/l/EJDBPD2/
✅ Savage C-Stand: https://prf.hn/l/kV0wEB3/
✅ TetherTools Tether Cable: https://prf.hn/l/vwzRaoJ/
✅ Savage Seamless Super White Background: https://prf.hn/l/KVY4WaM/
🔥 For more DIY styling check out my class Creativity on a Budget: https://lindsayadler.photo/creativity-on-a-budget
----
👉 Portfolio: lindsayadlerphotography.com
👉 Instagram: instagram.com/lindsayadler_photo
👉 Facebook: facebook.com/lindsayadlerphotography
👉 Twitter: twitter.com/lindsayadler
👉 Education: learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com
Some of the links in this description contain affiliate links to partners.
