fine art nude...lighting setups

[chalkie7]

Hi All,

I've been playing around in my local studio for a few months now and feel I have a basic grasp on a fair few setups. However, I have a model who has asked me if I would produce some fine art nude shots of her the next time we shoot together, and this is something I have never done before. I will have the opportunity to 'play' before I do need to get it right on the day, but any advice on possible lighting setups anyone has employed before would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Mark

[RvA944]

chalkie7,

I see you’re getting a lot of views but no replies so I'll take a stab at this and get the discussion going.

First off I haven't shot nudes, but being male have viewed... well a few. And I have noticed in my short time of reviewing this subject that there is a line between art and porn. And it's all defined by the light, angles and well frankly content. Porn is in your face and light the hell out of it. Art I think is more about moods, shadows and leaving something to the imagination. So if I were in your shoes I would be looking at it this way. I need to shoot a picture with class, some good light or better yet, the lack there off and some intrigue. I would just start off with some basic lighting and see where the light wants to take me.

Best of luck with your shoot.

Roger

[chalkie7]

Thanks Roger,

That is exactly what I have in mind...black and white 'moody' images...low light levels and must be very tasteful (I certainly wouldn't want to shoot anything my own family couldn't view and appreciate). Myself, I prefer what is inferred within a picture, rather than full-blown nudity.

Regards,

Mark

[RvA944]

Sounds to me like you have a good game plan, now go and shoot it!

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by chalkie7

Thanks Roger,

That is exactly what I have in mind...black and white 'moody' images...low light levels and must be very tasteful (I certainly wouldn't want to shoot anything my own family couldn't view and appreciate). Myself, I prefer what is inferred within a picture, rather than full-blown nudity.

Regards,

Mark

If you're looking for this type of "inferrence", then consider a single lightsource with a reflector for fill. Natural light will also work with a reflector.

If you've got time, pick up a few books on lighting nudes, including Lighting the Nude (Rotovision's version), Lighting Cookbook for Fashion and Beaty Photography, or Lighting for Nude Photography. I have all three and all are good "recipe" books, although the first is my favorite.

It would help if we knew the setting: bedroom, plain studio, studio with a single prop, outdoors, living room?

[chalkie7]

Brian,

Many thanks for the advice regarding literature...I'll see what I can get hold of. The shoot will be at my local studio. I was thinking of starting with a black backdrop and just the model in various poses. There are also natural stone walls in there, so shooting in a corner against these may work too. There are various chairs and stools which could be introduced as props. If as you suggest I use a single light source, would I be better going for a barndoor and grid, as opposed to a soft-box approach?

Regards,

Mark

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by chalkie7

If as you suggest I use a single light source, would I be better going for a barndoor and grid, as opposed to a soft-box approach?

I prefer softboxes over the harsher direct light. I like the quick falloff of a double diffused softbox, especially if bounce can be controlled, like here and here (note: nudity on those links). The first shot is actually a AB ringflash mounted overhead as a circular softbox ala Octabox. The second is a large softbox at camera left and a masked strobe hitting the background from above.

That's just my take on it, though, and I've seen well executed shots done with direct strobes.

[chalkie7]

Thanks again Brian (nice work by the way). I'll have to have a play around I'm sure...something that won't be right without lots of tweaking to get the 'right' feel.

Cheers,

Mark

[UnivModels]

Lighting is obviouly your significant elements, but concentrate on your composition, and then how to light it.

If you get to involved in the lighting your working more for technique than style - outdoor a ambient lighting with a single strobe as your main source. In the studio again look for composition, then a 1,2, or 3 light setup - but the more lights the more your becoming a technician and less a composer.

[kgphoto]

Fine art nudes are exercises in light and form. So make sure there are some light areas and some shadows. Personally I prefer soft light and soft transitions, but striking images can be made with hard lights.

What is your model thinking of? Ask her to bring in some samples from books or the net. Communication and trust is the key.

Don't think a bare breast (nakid tit) or mons (beaver) makes an image less "pure and artsy". IT is all about the design and composition. If it isn't there, it is still "trash" even if it is a picture of an elbow.

[pellepiano]

If you are uncertain of how to light, take some time and shoot some some self portraits. Its a great way to learn and see how light works. And cheap, unless you charge yourself =)

[grsphoto]

There is some good advice in this thread.

I find when working with nudes that you should forget about the light, and think about the shadows. A lot of my shots here (nudes ) were done with a single strip light.

Glenn

[Rumpole]

Glenn

Without your permission I have glanced through your other works on the website. It seems that nudity shot (male / female) is your forte.

Good work and thanks for sharing.

Cheers
KH

[grsphoto]

Thank you.

You don't need my permission to view my site. My work is posted to be shown.

Glenn

[Light Currents]

Can anybody give advice about shooting nude outdoors? I would like to create the shadows for depth and mood that were exampled here, but I know outdoor lighting is harsher. It has to be outdoors because I've been playing around with infrared and need that sunlight, and would like to see what can be done with infrared. I have a number of flashes to use and off-camera triggers, stands, etc. I think I would like to fill with a single flash. Any advice about outdoor techniques would be appreciated. Links, etc. Thanks.

[grsphoto]

Originally Posted by Light Currents

It has to be outdoors because I've been playing around with infrared and need that sunlight, and would like to see what can be done with infrared.

Why Outdoors?

Brian Hart's Infared nudes have been done mostly in my studio, with flash.

[Light Currents]

Originally Posted by grsphoto

Why Outdoors?

Because one of the most compelling reasons for shooting infrared in the first place (not just glamor) is the drama: the stark contrasts, what it does to the flora, the black water, the dark skies. I want to utilize that drama.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Light Currents