A few weeks back I joined indie rock band The Mars Patrol at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith to shoot their official band pictures. The space is essentially a gigantic black cube, perfect for studio lighting and effects.
In a corner I set up a Rosco 1700 smoke machine. Directly behind the band I erected a strobe with wide angle reflector and some gels. The result was a broad wash of warm light that penetrated the haze and reflected off the matte black floor.
For a bit of fun I also jerry-rigged a PocketWizard radio receiver onto the back of a Canon Speedlite. The band were then free to pass the flash between themselves and point it at the camera.
The Mars Patrol's new EP, "Landline", is out on 29th November 2010.
