Black on black

I've got a shoot coming up - the model is looking for dark and moody, and wants a black background.

She's going to be topless, or implied topless - but is planning on wearing black pants. I hate black on black.

Last time a model wore black on black, they vanished (I wasn't prepared). This won't be so bad, with more skin showing - but does anyone have any tips or ideas on how to light this? I'll have two studio strobes and two speed lights available.

pcj wrote in post #10707651
I've got a shoot coming up - the model is looking for dark and moody, and wants a black background.

She's going to be topless, or implied topless - but is planning on wearing black pants. I hate black on black.

Last time a model wore black on black, they vanished (I wasn't prepared). This won't be so bad, with more skin showing - but does anyone have any tips or ideas on how to light this? I'll have two studio strobes and two speed lights available.

You're most likely going to have to focus on rimming to provide proper separation from the background, depending on the type of shoot and intended PP, maybe gelling the rims might help depending on the look you're going for.. depending on how the black pants reflect the light you may have to significantly bump the power to compensate, I would go pick up some black foamcore board or something in case you need to make some Gobo's to prevent spill and flare...

Kickers and/or backlights.

Just what Toxic said, kicker lights in the background, which will offer you some separation.

there's a reason why ninjas wear black

Find out what image is actually in the model's mind. Where does she image there will be shadow detail and were complete blackness? In the background or her pants? Perhaps she's envisioning total blackness everywhere except her skin.