How we photographed Oscar-winning Tarell Alvin McCraney

This week’s top photo comes from Visual Journalist Anthony Vazquez. Follow him on Instagram.

What makes this photo important?

Tarell Alvin McCraney, playwright and Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble member, co-wrote the Oscar-winning film, "Moonlight," which was based on his unreleased semi-autobiography, “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue." Now, his work in "Windfall" centers on police violence, money and religion.

This image is important because it places McCraney directly within the immersive world of his creation. By integrating the subject with the symbolic signage and production elements of the stage, the photo goes beyond a standard portrait and serves as a visual bridge between the artist and his work. It depicts the scale of the theater while highlighting the creative process and the themes of cultural relevance that define the production. It also gives the reader a sense of scale and production they can expect when they go see the play.

How did you get the photo?

The primary objective of this assignment was to photograph the theatrical essence of the environment. Since Tarell Alvin McCraney is a playwright, we wanted the image to showcase the world he created. Fortunately, we were able to use the stage as our primary backdrop. Every visual element, including the protest signs, the scenery and the stage itself is a functional component of the production. I used a two-point lighting setup with strobes and umbrellas on stands on either side of him to balance the exposure of the foreground with the background. This helped eliminate harsh shadows on McCraney and props on the ground. This allowed the ambient light of the theater and the seating to fill the frame, which added depth to the image and successfully showcased the scale of the theater.

Technical details:

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