Lights, Camera... Nude!: A Guide to Lighting the Female Nude for Photography Read Online Free PDF Page B

Diagram 10: Low-key
     
     
     

Gelled Backlight

     
    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.
     
    Light #3 : A backlight is placed about two feet off the ground aimed down at the head.
     
    Light #4: A backlight about four feet high is aimed at the feet.
     
    Light #5: A striplight softbox backlights the edge of the model. The softbox is oriented vertically to match the model’s position.
     
    Light #6 : A 24-inch by 24-inch softbox is on the floor and aimed up at the model’s legs. A fabric grid controls the light output. Bean bags are used to position and aim the softbox.
     
    Setup Tip: Place the backlight on the floor, then feed the cord through a hole cut in the background paper. Set the light on a bean bag instead of a light stand to steady it as low as possible.
     

 
     

     
    Lighting Diagram 11: Gelled backlight
     

Isolation with White Tile Board

     
    Model: Tarra J.
     
    Lighting Setup s # 12, 13 Category: Isolation Skill: Challenging Light Kit:4 Heads:6 Model Zone: Large
     

     
    Photo 54: isolation
     
    Model: Michelle W.
     
    If you’ve tried to shoot for microstock, you’ve probably wondered how to isolate a model on a white background. There are a few keys to doing this: have plenty of background lights, use glossy white tile board under the model, and don’t overpower the background lights.
     
    The key to even coverage of background light is not a lot of light , but a lot of lights . In other words, several weak background lights give more even coverage than one very strong light. You should have at least four background lights, and they should be diffused. You can diffuse the lights with softboxes, umbrellas, or any diffuser you want. The idea is to spread the light evenly over the background. Only turn the background lights bright enough to make it white around the edges of the model.
     
    With sufficient coverage, overexposure of the background is unnecessary. Excessive background light will bounce around your studio and wash out the shot, cause chromatic aberration, and other problems. You can dodge out any gray corners during post-processing.
     
    I use a roll of nine-foot wide white background paper. White tile board, the material that is used to simulate tile on bathroom walls, can be placed under the model to make a reflective surface. You want the non-embossed, semi-gloss tile board. It’s available from home improvement stores in 4 x 8-foot sheets for less than the cost of a roll of background paper. Tile board is resistant to stains and scratches, and is easy to clean. White Plexiglas is a beautiful but expensive