New Wave

Xeroxed manifestos, angular haircuts, and the aesthetics of a band that only played three gigs

New Wave aesthetic photography reference
Referencenew wave
Shoot Brief · Call Sheet● TC 00:00:00:00
AestheticNew Wave
Roll033
Status0 / 5 Shot
LightAvailable light pushed to its limit ISO 32
WardrobeAsymmetric cuts, black and white with one

Shot list

Tap a frame to mark it shot — grease pencil, saved on this device

FR·01A
High-contrast portrait with heavy grain and blown highlights, the face half consumed by shadow
FR·02A
Subject posed against a pasted-bill wall or fly-posted environment, urban authenticity unmediated
FR·03A
Close portrait with strong geometric graphic elements in the background lines, angles, halftone
FR·04A
Action shot at a small venue, camera close to the subject, wide-angle lens, no flash available light only
FR·05A
Flat-lay of zines, 7-inch sleeves, polaroids, and cassette tapes on a darkroom-textured surface
Roll
00 / 05
⌁ LightingAvailable light pushed to its limit ISO 3200 on digital or HP5 pushed to 3200 on film; the grain and noise are the aesthetic, not a problem to be solved

available light pushed to its limit iso 32 ✦

⌁ WardrobeAsymmetric cuts, black and white with one accent color, band badges, geometric accessories; the look is assembled, not bought

asymmetric cuts

Director notePrint an intermediate proof and photocopy it before the final scan the generation loss adds a layer of texture that is impossible to replicate accurately in Photoshop

Locations

Small venue back room or loading dockRecord shop with floor-to-ceiling vinylUrban parking structure with brutalist geometrySubway or underground station

Explore the aesthetic

Style guide
Color palette

About this brief

How do I photograph the New Wave aesthetic?
Xeroxed manifestos, angular haircuts, and the aesthetics of a band that only played three gigs. Print an intermediate proof and photocopy it before the final scan the generation loss adds a layer of texture that is impossible to replicate accurately in Photoshop
What shots should I get for a New Wave photo shoot?
Capture: High-contrast portrait with heavy grain and blown highlights, the face half consumed by shadow; Subject posed against a pasted-bill wall or fly-posted environment, urban authenticity unmediated; Close portrait with strong geometric graphic elements in the background lines, angles, halftone; Action shot at a small venue, camera close to the subject, wide-angle lens, no flash available light only; Flat-lay of zines, 7-inch sleeves, polaroids, and cassette tapes on a darkroom-textured surface.
What lighting works for New Wave photography?
Available light pushed to its limit ISO 3200 on digital or HP5 pushed to 3200 on film; the grain and noise are the aesthetic, not a problem to be solved
Where should I shoot New Wave photography?
Good locations include: Small venue back room or loading dock, Record shop with floor-to-ceiling vinyl, Urban parking structure with brutalist geometry, Subway or underground station.
What wardrobe works for New Wave photography?
Asymmetric cuts, black and white with one accent color, band badges, geometric accessories; the look is assembled, not bought

Generate shoot references in the new wave style

Elio reads your visual references and generates images in your exact aesthetic. Use it to build a mood board before the shoot or create composite references for your client.

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