Vincent Gallo’s 1998 film Buffalo ’66 is a film truly free from any ideology. It is a pure aesthetic investigation of observation, mood and atmosphere.

Each scene has its own unique characteristic that stands it apart from one another, but Gallo still manages to make the film a wholly cohesive experience. This scene is of Billy (Gallo) and Layla (Ricci) in a photobooth.

What’s first noticeable is the frame, which acts as the camera from the photobooth. Billy and Layla react to the light source that comes as the photobooth performs its task; they can be seen adjusting their eyes as each shot is taken.

Another lighting choice is how they are both lit. The key/fill contrast is more defined on Billy’s face. As Layla is sitting on his lap, her physical movement also draw additional shadows to his face. The lighting on Layla is more overexposed; it is clear that the primary key light source is directed to arrive on her face.

The orange curtains that are used as the scene’s backdrop kind of mesh in with the characters faces. The main contrasts are drawn from their hair (darker shades) and the drab colours from Billy’s jacket.