All of my photos are shot in RAW format and processed in Photoshop. The adjustments to color balance, levels and curves are all done in this program. The single most important factor in getting this quality (technically speaking) is the ability to throw enough light on the subject that will allow me to shoot at a very low ISO, high shutter speed, and high aperture opening.
One very important factor in getting the right setting...especially for a black out look...is controlling the shutter speed. A flash photo is a double exposure taken almost simultaneously. Adjusting the aperture will raise or lower the amount of light in both the ambient and the flash. Adjusting the shutter speed will adjust the ambient light up or down. A fast shutter speed gives little time to register any great amount of ambient light...darkening the background.
