The Flash Book

The Classic Hollywood Dramatic Look

I remember a quote I heard from Joe McNally, one a photo editor had told him years ago: “If you want to make something more interesting, only light part of it.” And, that’s the basis for this dramatic Hollywood look—just lighting a small part of your subject. Of course, the light from your flash wants to spread everywhere, but that’s the opposite of what we want. If you really want to nail that Hollywood look, you’ve gotta use a snoot—it’s an attachment you put over the head of your flash that narrows the beam (much tighter than a grid) until it leaves just a tiny opening of light that you can strategically ...