Behind the Lens: Crafting Grit and Isolation in Nightbus – Exposed to Some Light
Nightbus Exposed to Some Light – Music Video is a raw, atmospheric exploration of inner-city life and relationships. As Director of Photography, my goal was to visually elevate the tracks’ themes of isolation, vulnerability, and fleeting human connection – all set in black and white and silhouettes.
Shot entirely in an urban studio in Manchester, the challenge was to balance minimal black and white imagery with expressive silhouettes to create a compelling visual story. We used high-key studio lighting such as the Aputure 600D with a 1.2 metre softbox as the key, and several 300D as background and strobe effects. Using composed frames and symmetry, we were able to mirror the emotional volatility of the characters and the narrative.
The project was shot on a Sony FX9 paired with vintage Sony G Series lenses, giving the visuals a crisp, high-contrast edgy look. I used Sony’s high contrast black and white LUTs, which felt gritty – offering a sense of unease while still inviting the audience to empathise with the characters onscreen.
This was a truly collaborative process, working closely with the co-director, my brother Zac Melrose, to ensure the visuals stayed true to the narrative from the lyrics and original concept. We also work closely together in the edit to develop the style and tone of the piece using techniques such as beat matching and masking.
To see more examples of my work with music videos, promos and much more, visit my cinematography portfolio or get in touch to discuss your next project.
Nightbus Exposed to Some Light is the second project I have shot for Nightbus, the first being the music video Way Past Three. Check out more from Nightbus and other projects here.
