Info on unmentionable picture shoots

[Diego440]

So, after such an insconspicuous thread title, here goes:

I'm dating a new girlfriend who's into a lot of stuff I don't usually do; one of those things is doing pictures with her as the subject and clothes not. So, while I'm used to taking pics of cars and/or landscapes, I'm not used to taking pics of people, much less where there's mostly skin involved.

Now, while I certainly won't be posting the results of what I do on here, I'm wondering if you guys could give me a few pointers as to what I should and shouldn't do in terms of lightning, shadows and colurs. Though I'm planning on doing most of the pics indoors and in B&W, there's a high chance I may do a few highly coloured ones as well. I'm (somewhat) highly trained in image editing, since I'm an art director and work constantly on retouching/fixing/enhancing pictures, but I'm looking for here is to make the original pic good enough to stand on its own and just have to tweak it a bit here and there on PS/LR.

The camera I'll be using is a reflex-type, though I don't know the specs. I'll ask.

Any advice will be appreciated. Also, if the topic is too 'intense' for PG-rated GTP, feel free to drop me a PM. 👍

 

[Northstar]

You would think with all the pics you post in the babe thread you would know everything there is to know about taking pics of people.

 

[Diego440]

I know what I want... I just want to know how to get it.

 

[homeforsummer]

There are a few reasonable videos on youtube I seem to remember that give pointers on the basics (though they also deal with stuff like getting a model in the first place, which you don't need). I dunno, I suppose it depends on what you want from the photographs - whether you're intending to just do a fairly natural nude shoot, or whether you're wanting to go heavily artistic with body studies, high contrast lighting, soft focus and things like that.

I would have thought getting someone to model for you is the hardest part already out of the way, so even with some fairly basic photography techniques you should be able to get some good images.

 

[Diego440]

Alright, camera is a Nikon D90 with a 18-200 lens of 3.5-5.6f

(no idea what I just typed)


EDIT: I'll be sure to check out Youtube 👍

 

[Syntax error]

Depends on what you want to accomplish really. Hard light can work well if you want to cove portions of “naughty" body parts with shadows (god knows why you'd want to do that though ) but in generally, the best way to get a consistent and nice skin tone is to defuse like crazy.

Have you got studio lights to work with? If so, then use anything you can get your hands on to break up the light. Bed sheets work well, white umbrella etc. If you only have a speedlight, try and pick up a diffuser from ebay (I think they go for no more than $5) and the most important rule with speedlights is to try and bounce the light off a white wall were possible. This disperses light well and give a more consistent and even tone for the subject.

It is kind of hard to give advice though without a more of an idea on what you'd like to achieve ie what your artistic vision is for the shot.



Oh and this thread is useless without pics

 

[Diego440]

Oh and this thread is useless without pics

Agreed.... though I can't afford any more infraction points

 

[boiltheocean]

1. Take Pics
2. Post on 4chan
3. ????
4. Profit


It's the only way.

 

[Public'sTwin]

Shooting models is not something one can hop into. I would 100% recommend you attend a few shops or sign up for a class. 3-day, all-day-shooting events with real pros can be had for about $1500.

 

[Diego440]

1500 for the class or 1500 for the model?

 

[Public'sTwin]

1500 for the class or 1500 for the model?

$1500 for the class, depending on who you go with. Some are $5000. Most say it's very well worth it; I liken it to taking a proper racing school session for 3 days: You impression, appreciation, and skillset are forever changed by what you learn in those 3 days.

The model, however, will set her own prices and has her own conditions to be met. Most will only do specific sets; depending on your relationship with her, it may be free (as is your case). Helmut Newton's work provides an excellent study on the play of light and attitudes. Ellen von Unworth is a similarly famous photographer for her nude photography, and Todd Essick, as a master of shapes and composition, is worth investigating as well.

 

[Diego440]

I'm familiar with Helmut Newton (who's work I like) and I've heard of von Unworth. Haven't heard of Todd Essick, though. Just checked him out... lots of underwater stuff.

Cool, thanks for this, Greg.-

 

[Eric.]

1. Take Pics
2. Post on 4chan
3. ????
4. Profit


It's the only way.

Don't forget the timestamp.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

[Official Moderator-Speak]
Remember: the guidance of what is acceptable is along the lines of what would be acceptable at a public swimming pool. The Daily Babe Thread is Infield-only, and we'd expect more decency in this area than in The Infield.

My suggestion would be to post crops of non-sensitive areas (double-entendre slightly meant there) for review of lighting & retouching.

Not meaning to sound like a perv, but if you're unsure, drop me a PM with a link to an image and I'll issue guidance at the time.
[/Official Moderator-Speak]

I'm always a fan of the shots where windows are producing natural light from one side. A lot of 'togs are putting hair/back lights behind the model as well, which can look good, and creates a halo effect.

The other tip I've read is to get the model not to wear underwear from at least 4hrs prior to the shoot. Saves you having to clone out strap marks.

 

[wfooshee]

Don't use a straight flash, whatever you do. If you have to use flash, bounce it. Bounce it off the ceiling, bounce it off a reflector. face it away from the model and bounce it off a sheet or piece of poster board. And don't put the flash on the same line with the lens, put it to one side.

If you need lighting, at least two diffuse lights works better.

Better than that is natural light from the windows.

Don't just use the bed. Kitchen. Living room. Patio, if there's enough privacy.

Problem is, if you don't know what that means that you said you don't know what it means, you're not going to be happy with your pictures. They'll be snapshots, not photographs, if you know what I mean.

 

[Diego440]

I'm noticing I'm going to have to use a bit more 'professional', or semi-pro equipment. Granted, the camera is good, but I have nothing else (available right now) along the lines of lighting and reflectors. I do have a Pro spotlight which I'll probably use, but I bought it off a pro-photographer's studio a few years ago... actual spotlight is about 30 years old.

Whatever turns out with the equipment I have right now will probably be in the snapshot level, as wfooshee said. I will however play around with it (no pun intended) with Ps/Lr.

@Giles, The Mod: I will definitely not be posting here or in The Infield the results of my work, save for maybe a little detail (off-subject) on the lighting or whatever comes around.

@Giles, The Photog: If I run into an issue I'll definitely let you know.

 

[Syntax error]

I'm noticing I'm going to have to use a bit more 'professional', or semi-pro equipment. Granted, the camera is good, but I have nothing else (available right now) along the lines of lighting and reflectors. I do have a Pro spotlight which I'll probably use, but I bought it off a pro-photographer's studio a few years ago... actual spotlight is about 30 years old.

Whatever turns out with the equipment I have right now will probably be in the snapshot level, as wfooshee said. I will however play around with it (no pun intended) with Ps/Lr.

Rubbish. The equipment won’t make your photos any better. Your Camera is fine (apart from being a Nikon )

You just need to find ways to manipulate the light available to you to make your shots work how you want. White sheets over windows diffuse natural light well.

Also there are free or very cheap ways to diffuse light from the pop up flash on the camera as well. Here is one of thousands of suggestions online: http://www.diyphotography.net/diy-built-in-pop-up-flash-diffuser

Also don't forget that PS & LR are tools, don't make them your crutch. A lot of people fall into the trap of taking a photo and then if some of the settings aren't right or exposure is of, they rely on fixing it in PS. It is noticeable if done in post production.

Don't just use the bed. Kitchen. Living room. Patio, if there's enough privacy.

I don't see anything wrong with any of these locations personally. If you do it right, any location can work for you. A lot of magazines use these types of settings as well.

 

[wfooshee]

Those were periods, not commas. I was saying don't use just the bed, but use other locations. Lots of people trying to shoot nudes for the first time assume naked pictures have to be in bed, or at least the bedroom. There's a difficulty for some reason in separating skin from sex.