As photographers, we’ve all been there—scouting locations and thinking, “There’s nothing here worth shooting.” But the truth is, incredible portraits can come from the most unexpected places. One of my favorite examples? An ugly parking garage wall.
Recently, I stumbled across a location that, at first glance, looked like the last place you’d want to shoot. We were driving past, and something about the wall’s texture and the leading lines caught my eye. No test shots. No overthinking. Just a gut instinct that there was potential.
This is where the magic happens—learning to see the way your camera sees, not just what your eyes see.
Equipment Used:
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: Canon RF28-70 f2.0
Light: Westcott FJ-X3 with the Westcott FJ80 II
Team:
Photographer: Sal Cincotta
Model: Violet Deardorff
Hair & Makeup: Brandi Patton, ReFine Beauty
Step 1: See the Potential in the “Ugly”
A parking garage wall might look dull in person, but in-camera, it can transform into a backdrop with strong visual impact. The trick is to focus on the elements that matter: texture, patterns, and lines. In this case, the wall had an interesting geometric pattern and high-contrast colors that worked beautifully with my subject’s outfit.
Step 2: Control the Exposure for Drama
To give the shot a bold, cinematic feel, I underexposed the scene by about one to two stops. This darkened the background and allowed me to add light exactly where I wanted it—on the subject.
Underexposing isn’t about making the image gloomy—it’s about creating separation and mood.
Settings: f/2 @ 1/1250, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/1000, ISO 50
Step 3: Add Light Where It Counts
I used a Canon EOS R5 with the 28-70mm f/2 lens, shooting wide open for that dreamy depth of field. For lighting, I went with a Westcott FJ80 II and FJ-X3 trigger. The flash was positioned at a 45-degree angle and zoomed in to control spill, ensuring the light hit only the subject and not the wall.
By combining underexposure with flash, you can make your subject pop while keeping the environment moody and controlled.
Step 4: Experiment With Composition
Once I had my base shot, I started playing with composition. I moved in closer, placed the subject in the lower right of the frame, and used the wall’s lines as leading elements and negative space.
Little tweaks in framing can make a huge difference in the final impact of your portraits.
Settings: f/2 @ 1/1000, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/1000, ISO 50
Step 5: Pose With Purpose
The model and I collaborated on poses—strong stances, subtle glances toward the light, and a few creative ideas like pulling the hat down or raising a leg for a bit of attitude. Directional light paired with confident posing added to the drama and style of the images.
Settings: f/2 @ 1/1250, ISO 50
Settings: f/2 @ 1/1000, ISO 50
The Takeaway
This shoot was proof that you don’t need a scenic overlook or a trendy urban mural to create stunning portraits. By learning to see potential, controlling your light, and thinking creatively about composition, you can transform even the most overlooked locations into powerful backdrops.
So next time you’re in a drab parking garage, don’t write it off—look for textures, lines, and lighting opportunities. You might just walk away with your next portfolio-worthy image.
PRO TIP:
Keep a mental list of “ugly but interesting” spots in your area. When you’re in a pinch or need to create something unique, you’ll have a ready-to-go list of hidden gems.
