MOVIE I: WICKED
The musical Wicked has captivated audiences for decades with its breathtaking visuals, vibrant costumes, and rich storytelling. As photographers, there’s much to learn from how the show uses color, lighting, and composition to tell a powerful story. Let’s explore how the movie Wicked can serve as a source of visual inspiration for your photography, whether you’re capturing portraits, families, or creative editorial shoots.
The Power of Color
In Wicked, color plays a central role in defining characters and moods. The contrasting green of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) against Glinda’s soft pinks and whites highlights their opposing personalities while still intertwining them visually. The show also uses deep emerald tones, shimmering gold, and bold blacks to evoke the mysterious world of Oz. This has encouraged me to be open minded to individuals within a family’s personal style verses trying to have them fit in a certain palette.
To apply this to my own photography it encourages me to explore the color wheel and contrasting colors. There was a time when I thought everyone should be in neutrals and burnt orange - and I’m proud to say I’ve greatly expanded my color advice! I really am down for most colors except can’t get on board very often with navy. (ha!) There are so many scenes in the movie where I could imagine the colors or play with colors in my own work to create something beautiful and creative.
The priority in my work is representing the family then making it look beautiful visually! If I have a family that loves greens I’m probably not going to put them in a setting of all green. I can choose a location or how I’m shooting at a location to make it look good with composition.
Dramatic Lighting
The lighting in Wicked is theatrical and emotive, with spotlighting, shadows, and glowing effects creating a sense of wonder. Elphaba’s iconic “Defying Gravity” scene, where she ascends into a beam of light, is a masterclass in using lighting to enhance storytelling. This is my favorite scene with the silhouette and gorgeous sunset + a stormy sky in the background.
You can incorporate dramatic lighting into your photography by using side lighting or backlighting to create moody and impactful images. If you’re wanting a silhouette make sure to focus on your subject but you’ll have to underexpose to save the highlights int he background.
Costuming as Storytelling
Every costume in Wicked tells a story. From Glinda’s frothy, sparkling ballgowns to the darker, tailored lines of Elphaba’s wardrobe, the clothing reflects each character’s journey and personality.
To bring this into your work, encourage clients to wear outfits that reflect their personalities or tell a story. I encourage all family members to choose clothing items that feel like themselves. They should feel comfortable and confident!
Dynamic Composition
Wicked’s staging uses creative compositions to guide the audience’s eye. For instance, scenes often place Elphaba and Glinda at opposite ends of the stage, symbolizing their differences, or use circular set pieces to create depth and layers.
You can can incorporate this technique by adding layering elements, such as natural or architectural frames like windows, doorways, or pathways. You can also play with balance and spacing between subjects to mimic the deliberate staging seen in Wicked. I love the patterns and perfectly aligned scenes in wicked it inspires me to see more of the framing in nature and homes to create an artistic image.
Bringing the Magic to Your Photography
Wicked teaches us that storytelling and visuals are deeply intertwined. By embracing its bold use of color, dramatic lighting, and dynamic compositions, you can bring a touch of theatrical magic to your photography. Whether you’re photographing a family in a lush green forest or creating a styled shoot inspired by Oz, let the world of Wicked guide your creativity and inspire your art.
Are you ready to “defy gravity” in your next shoot? Let Wicked spark your imagination and help you create photos that feel as magical as the story itself.