Lights, Camera... Nude!: A Guide to Lighting the Female Nude for Photography (11 page)

Reflector
#3
:
A 48-inch collapsible reflector slightly fills in the shadows by reflecting light from the softbox. Because the reflector is not directly opposite the light it reflects only a limited amount of light into the shadow areas.

Photo 46: Overhead light on boom spot

Photo 48: Large diffuser and boom spot

Model: Lexi W.

Lighting Diagram 9: Diffuser, boom spot

DIY Tip: Rectangular panel reflectors and diffusers can be made by stretching fabric over PVC pipe frames. I have used 8-foot square, DIY frame clamped to a nearby surface, or with PVC T-joints as feet.

Lighting Setup#
10
Category:
Low-key
Skill: Moderate
Light Kit:4
Heads:4
Model Zone:
Medium

Relatively little light falls on the background because all the lights are restricted in their angle and are directed at the model. By adjusting the aim of the backlights the scene can be adapted to light some props; in this example an ironing board and iron.

Photo 49: Low key with ironing board

Model: Lauren K.

Photo 50: Low-key

Model: Lauren K.

Light #1
: The main light, is modified with a 22-inch beauty dish, fixed with a grid and mounted on a boom arm for easy adjustment. The beauty dish is approximately four-feet from the model’s face, and slightly higher than her head, angled downward.

Light #2
: A 17-inch by 54-inch strip-light soft-box provides a fair amount of fill light. The strip-light is placed with its bottom edge as close to the ground as possible in order to light the lower part of the body and avoid burned out highlights caused by excessive overlap between the main light and the fill light. Decreasing the power of the fill light would increase the contrast and further the low-key effect.

Lights
#
3 &
#
4
There are two backlights: a low one pointed at the legs, and a high one at the hair. Each backlight is fitted with a sock diffuser and a honeycomb grid on top of it. The diffuser softens the light, while the grid restricts the path of the light to a narrow beam.

M
odel
Z
one
:
For this setup, the model zone is small. The model can’t move very far and stay in the lit areas because the background lights are grid-spots aimed specifically at the thigh and hair.

Lighting Diagram 10: Low-key

Photo 49: Gelled backlight

Model: Hope S.

Lighting Setup#
11
Category:
Backlight
Skill:
Challenging
Light Kit:4
Heads:6
Model Zone:
Exact

A strobe head with a standard 7-inch reflector and a red gel (translucent, colored plastic) is placed on a bean bag on the floor behind the model and aimed at the background. Using gels can create a dramatic effect, creating color contrast and drawing attention to a specific image area.

Caution
:
Gelled light can reflect directly or indirectly onto your model. If this happens the skin tone will be altered.

Model zone:
The model must remain in an exact spot for her body to hide the background light and its cord. You will also have to position your camera precisely to keep the light and cord out of view.

For a shot like this it is not unusual for me to position the lens as low as possible by lying on one shoulder on the floor (preferably protected by an exercise mat).

Photo 50: Gelled light behind model

DIY Tip: A variety of plastics suitable for use as gels are available at art & craft outlets.

Model: Hope S.

Photo 53: Gelled backlight

Model: Hope S

Light #1:
A 22-inch beauty dish is suspended above the camera lens, slightly off-center, and aimed at the models head, torso, and edge of her thigh.

Light #2:
A gelled backlight is hidden behind the model and aimed up at the background.