For this month’s Advocate cover we decided to run with a conceptual portrait series. Given that all students featured had metaphorically stepped through darkness, I set out to make active portraits against black seamless paper in our studio.
In making this shot of Breanna Simpson, a Woodrow Wilson High School senior, artist and dancer, we cranked up our production value with one simple ingredient: baby powder. “Dust dancing,” it’s called.
Being the good sport that she is, Breanna had no qualms with us covering her from head to toe in baby powder bought at a dollar store.
Then it was simply a matter of having her gracefully lunge a couple dozen times for the camera before we were satisfied with our results.
Finally, the image was processed with a technique called “split-toning” to give the shot an otherworldly palette.
Note to self: When covering someone in baby powder, be prepared for a great deal of cleanup. Also, ventilation is helpful.
If you haven’t read it yet, check out this month’s cover story here.
