Vibrant, diverse palettes tend to dominate the visual landscape, but the beauty of monochromatic photography can stand out for its simplicity and elegance. This is exactly what photographer Niah Aldrich (@niahrosephoto) achieved in this striking red monochromatic series, her latest stunning portrait shoot that highlights the power of a singular hue. We caught up with Aldrich to learn more about the portrait shoot and how she transformed a simple setup into a captivating visual narrative using her Sony Alpha 7 IV and Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II.

Product Preview – In This Article You’ll Find:
–Sony Alpha 7 IV
–Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II
–Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Grip

Photo by Niah Aldrich. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II. 1/3200-sec., f/1.4, ISO 100

Capturing Red In Every Shade

The idea for the this series blossomed when Aldrich came across a red seamless backdrop at #SonyKandoTrip. “Then suddenly a model actually came out wearing this beautiful red dress, red hat, and she had a vibrant, bold red lip on,” she explains. “I knew right away I had to shoot with the red seamless backdrop color, because I knew that all the red was just going to highlight her and bring more attention to the subject.” 

All of those saturated red elements set against the red seamless created a unified aesthetic that draws immediate attention to the model's striking appearance, especially the color contrast of her  blue eyes. The overcast day provided soft, even lighting that Aldrich enhanced using a reflector to add more light to the model's face and to create mesmerizing catchlights in her eyes. “Reflectors add that extra something special,” she shares. “I could absolutely get away with shooting natural light with no reflector, but I just think it just gives it that something extra. A lot of people are sleeping on reflectors these days and they can really just give your image that extra oomph. So don't be sleeping on reflectors!”

Photo by Niah Aldrich. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II. 1/3200-sec., f/1.4, ISO 100

The Perfect Portrait Lens

Niah used her Sony Alpha 7 IV paired with the new Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II lens for this shoot, a combination that provided the exceptional depth and clarity needed to add dimension to a monochrome shoot. The Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II has been noted for its ability to create beautiful bokeh and played a vital role in blurring the red backdrop while softly framing the model to focus all attention on her.

"What I loved about shooting with the Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II is that it really softened her features and brought attention to her eyes," Aldrich explains. “It just really blurred that red even more in the background, softened her hair, and brought all of the attention in frame to her. Especially with the reflector, which I basically used at waist level to bounce the light back into the shadows of her chin. This created beautiful catchlights in her eyes and I just wanted to bring attention to that and draw the viewer in even more.”

Photo by Niah Aldrich. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II. 1/3200-sec., f/1.4, ISO 100

Shooting handheld allowed Aldrich to maintain fluidity and interact directly with the model. She likes to pair her Sony Alpha 7 IV with the Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Grip. “I like to have a battery grip because as a portrait photographer, I am mostly shooting vertical,” she says. “So being able to have the button in that vertical grip is awesome because I like to hold my camera a little bit below my face so that I can interact with the model and also pose with her. So having that option to have a really nice grip on my camera and the extra battery life is really great and it feels a lot more comfortable to hold.”

Playing With Color

Post-processing plays a crucial role in Aldrich’s workflow. Starting with Adobe Lightroom to establish a solid foundation of her desired colors. “I do love to play with the highlights, the shadows, curves, and, my secret weapon, the calibration at the bottom. Just playing with those saturation sliders can really create some very vibrant photos,” she explains. “I’ll do detailed retouching in Photoshop, but I just love to play with the colors in Lightroom and Camera Raw. Sometimes I will play with the Vivid Color Profile and that just gives even some more extra color pop. It’s just fun to play around with because you can create a striking image that stops you in your tracks because the colors are so vibrant.” By experimenting with color profiles such as Adobe Vivid and finishing in Camera Raw, she further elevates the images to create a captivating visual contrast that commands attention.

Photo by Niah Aldrich. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II. 1/3200-sec., f/1.4, ISO 100

The Impact Of Monochrome

Aldrich has mastered the creative use of a monochromatic palette to not only accentuate the model, but also demonstrate how a single color can create depth and intrigue. “The use of monochrome and color is a great way to just bring attention to the subject,” Aldrich notes. Her thoughtful approach shows that sometimes, limiting the color palette can lead to limitless creative possibilities. With the right combination of equipment, technique, and artistic vision, even a single color can tell a compelling story.

See more of Niah Aldrich’s work on Instagram (@niahrosephoto) and check out more of her portraits taken with the Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II in A Portrait Pro Tests The New Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II.