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Lights, Camera. Nude!A Guide to Lighting the Female Nude forDigital PhotographyAuthor/PhotographerA.K. NicholasEditorsTia Sukin, Ph.D.George Nicola, Ph.D.Copy EditorMichelle Loviwww.nudephotoguides.comDevelopment EditorsDavid RoarkShelley DoyleFront cover model: Hope SplawnBack cover model: Narzahni CrumbieMade in the USA. Charleston, SCFirst printing 2010. Copyright 2010 by A.K. Nicholas. Allrights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced or used in any form or by any means — graphic,electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,taping, information storage and retrieval systems — withoutwritten permission of the author.Unauthorized duplication or distribution is prohibited. Ifyou downloaded this document, you may not physically orelectronically copy or redistribute it other than for personaluse.Although efforts have been made in the preparation of thismaterial for accuracy and prudence, the author and thepublisher assume no responsibility for errors, omissions,inherent risks, or the unintended consequences of relianceon the material herein. The reader assumes all responsibilityfor safety. Use the material in this book at your own risk.ModelsJessica AnglinToni CallahanJacqueline ConnellNarzahni CrumbieAnna FaullingAshley GastrichSarah HyderTerra JeanLauren KeilAurora LenkLauren McCantsKaitlyn PiotrowskiSarah SinkHope SplawnMichelle WatersAriel WilliamsonLexi WilsonElizabeth Winters
ContentsPreface . 2Overview of the Book. 3Quick Reference of Lighting Setups . 4Lighting Concepts for Nude Photography . 6The Importance of Lighting. 7Contrast Ratio . 8Set Up Your Studio to Affect Light . 9Metering Your Lights . 11How Many Lights Do You Need? . 12Large Close Light . 13Accent and Separation Lights . 14Direction (Angle) of Light . 15Quality of Light (Hard vs. Soft) . 16Lighting Equipment . 18About Equipment . 19A W o r d A b o u t E x p o s u r e . 19Light Kits . 20Light Kit X . 22Light Kit o . 23Light Kit Z . 24Light Kit q . 25Lighting Nudes on Location . 26About Locations . 27Bathtub and Backlit Window . 29Stairway . 33Pool Table . 37Oversized Bathtub . 40On Location with One Light. 42About Studio Lighting . 45Restricting Light: Snoots & Gels . 47Sculpt with Light: Selective Lighting . 51Beauty Dish and Softbox . 55Boom Spot . 59Low-Key Light . 63Gelled Backlight . 67Isolation with White Tile Board . 71Water Splash . 76One Light in Studio . 77Outdoor Lighting . 78About Outdoor Lighting . 79Overcast Day with Strobe Fill Light . 81Swimming Pool, Reflector. 85Submerged Nude . 87Continuous Light . 88Lighting Exercises . 89Lighting Problems & Solutions . 91Conclusion . 94Glossary . 95Resources . 95Index. 96Studio Lighting Setups . 44For a link and password to digital images from thebook and other free resources, see page 95.Lights, Camera. Nude! Preface1
PrefaceAn older artist, a relative of minewhom I greatly admire, once admonished me not to reveal too much ofmy techniques to others. She worriedthat I may lose my distinction as aphotographer if others mimicked mytechniques.Contrary to her advice, I think aphotographer's work is distinguishedby hard work and creativity, andthese traits cannot be merely copied.Although creativity and imaginationmay not be learned, I believe they canbe developed through practice.The techniques in this guide are notthe traditional “textbook” way oflearning nude lighting – there arealready plenty of books to teach youto light textbook nudes. These are mytechniques for lighting nudes; some ofmy methods follow traditional rulesand some do not, and I honestly don’tkeep track of which do or don’t.The techniques in this guide arenot the traditional “textbook”way of learning nude lighting –there are already plenty of booksto teach you to light textbooknudes.These are my techniques forlighting nudes, some follow therules and some do not.I do hope you will learn from mytechniques, and through hard workand practice evolve these techniquesinto something that is ude! PrefacePreface
Overview of the BookLighting the nude model is distinct from lighting in other types of people photography.This book is to help those who have tried some nude lighting, but are struggling tocreate interesting images. The serious photographer who is new to nudes will alsobenefit. This guide is about reaching that next level and making nude models look theirbest and most interesting.This guide is about lighting the nude, so I’m not going to make you sift through a lot oflighting techniques for non-nude modeling. There is a lot you can learn about generallighting that is not covered in this guide.This guide deals with lighting the whole figure in most cases, or at least three-quartersof the model’s body. Don’t look for information about lighting close ups of the face.Knowledge of portrait lighting is helpful, but not essential to begin shooting nudes.You also won’t find more than a brief explanation of general lighting concepts. I’massuming that you already know some general photography; this isn’t intended to beyour first photography book, or encyclopedic. As much of the book as possible isdevoted to lighting the nude. A list of suggested topics for further study, such as inversesquare law, can be found on page 96.With regard to modelsThis guide demonstrates lighting for photographing a beautiful model to bring out herbest and most fascinating features. There are plenty of books that tell you how to hideyour subject’s flaws; this is not one of those books. You won’t find any tips for makingregular people look slimmer, taller, or more beautiful.What you will find are illustrated examples and step-by-step instructions for creatingphotographs of beautiful nude women.With regard to retouchingIn this guide I have retouched minor flaws on the models (stray hairs for example). Ihave also corrected some minor defects in the backgrounds or defects from lenscharacteristics (chromatic aberration for example). However, because this is a collectionof images to illustrate lighting, I’ve avoided any retouching that pertains to lightingeffects (such as shine on a nose or forehead). Although such lighting defects can easilybe removed with post processing, I let them remain in order to preserve as muchinformation as possible about the lighting. Just as no model is perfect, no lightarrangement is perfect and you will want to retouch most of your images—though postprocessing is a topic for a whole other book.Lights, Camera. Nude! Preface3
Quick Reference of Lighting SetupsHere is a list of the lighting arrangements you will find in the book. Each has one ormore example photos and a diagram of how to place the studio equipment. Because thecharacteristic of each studio is different, and your equipment will vary, the diagramsare a starting point from which you will want to make minor adjustments.#DescriptionSkill1Location, backlit windowModerate2Location, stairwayModerate3Location, pool tableModerate4Location, antique tubChallenging5Location, one light bounceEasy6Restricted, snoots & gelsModerate7Sculpt with selective lightModerate8Soft light with beauty dishModerate9Diffuser, boom spotModerate10Low key studioModerate11Gelled backlightChallenging12Isolation on tile boardChallenging13Isolation with umbrellasChallenging14Water splashChallenging15One light, studioEasy16Outdoor fillEasy17Outdoor reflectorModerate18Submerged lZone Small492Exact533Small572 Medium771Large831Large851Medium87* Light Kit: Corresponds to the light kits beginning on page 19.** Heads: The number of light heads required is helpful to quickly figure out if you haveenough equipment to do the shot.† Model Zone: Describes the freedom of movement the model has in the lit area.How to use the diagramsLights are numbered, and other set elements are identified by letters. Next to somelights is a height measurement signified by an up/down arrow ( ) indicating the4Lights, Camera. Nude! Quick Reference of Lighting Setups
number of feet above the level of the model’s lowest body part (usually the floor) to themiddle of the light. Also you will find a distance measurement signified by a left/rightarrow ( ) indicating the distance from the front of the light to the closest part of themodel.Bathtub, backlitwindow, p.29Stairs, p.35Pool Table, p.39Oversizedbathtub, p.41One light, locationbounce, p.43Restricted light,snoots, gels, p.49Sculpt with light,p.53Beauty dish,softbox, snoot,p.57Diffuser, boomspot, p.61Low-key, p.65Gelled backlight,p.69Isolations, p.72Isolation demonstrated, p.73Water splash, p.76One light, studio,p.77Overcast day,strobe fill, p.83Swimming pool,p.85Submerged nude,p.87Direction of light,p.15Continuous light,p.88Lights, Camera. Nude! Quick Reference of Lighting Setups5
Lighting Concepts for Nude Photography6Lights, Camera. Nude! /
The Importance ofLightingBeforeyou jump inandstarttaking a bunch of nude photographs, take some time to setup your studio lighting; to stackthe odds in your favor. Lightingis my top consideration in nudephotography once I’ve found theright model.Studio lighting allows the ultimate control over illumination,andwithmostnudephotography taking place in thestudio, the majority of theexamples are indoor lighting.Location lighting is the mostenjoyable for me, combiningcreative challenges of a nonstudio setting with the controlof being indoors.If you intend to use wardrobeand props with your nude —you may also want to developfashion and still life lightingskills.In this section I will explainsome of the concepts that areused in the lighting diagramsthat appear throughout thebook. This is not an exhaustiveexplanation of all lightingconcepts, and topics for furtherstudy appear on page 96.Model: Sarah H.Lights, Camera. Nude! Lighting Concepts for Nude Photography7
Photo 19: Shoot-through umbrellaSoft, wide lightModel: Elizabeth W.Similar to a softbox at a fraction of the price,but with less control of the light, more straylight spills on the background and the floor.Compare this shot to the final shot in theseries (beauty dish with grid) and you willnotice that the background and lower legs arenot at all lit in the final shot.Little light reaches the legs, compared with thenext shot (bounce umbrella).Photo 20: Bounce umbrellaSoft, very wide lightWith the umbrella positioned to bounce thelight, a broader pattern of diffused light isproduced.Although the lit area of the figure is bathed ina generous and pleasingly soft light, theuncontrolled light bouncing around the roomcreates quite a bit of fill light as well asbackground light. If this isn’t your intention,choose something other than an umbrella.Photo 21: Beauty dish and gridSoft, controlled lightA beauty dish affixed with a grid produces adiffused light focused at a narrow angle.Quality of light is a subject to which you candevote much study. The factors that affect thequality of light include type and size ofdiffusion material, reflector shape and size,and distance to subject.Softer light can be pleasing, and direct lightcan be dramatic. Mixing the two can yield awide range of results; some attractive, andsome unattractive.Lights, Camera. Nude! Lighting Concepts for Nude Photography17
About EquipmentAsthe quo te at leftsuggests, I treate q u ip me n tmerely as a means to an end.The concept is paramount tothe image, but photographicequipment is a necessary evil,and knowing your equipment ispart of paying your dues. Forthis reason I specify equipmentthroughout the book.If you don’t have the equipmentlisted feel free to experimentuntil you find something thatsuits what you aspire to do. Andyou can make some of your ownmodifiers if you wish. Onceyou’ve captured an outstandingimage, nobody will know if youpaid a lot or a little for yourequipment.A WordExposureAboutDigital image sensors capturemuch more information at thebrighter end of the scale.Your camera’s sensor has alimited range. Under expose toomuch and you lose shadowdetail, over expose and you blowout the highlights—this much iscommon knowledge.Lights, Camera. Nude! Lighting Equipment19
32Lights, Camera. Nude! Lighting Nudes on Location
Stairway#CategorySkill2LocationModerateLight KitZ HeadsModel Zone3MediumThe image at the right was shot on location in confines of a custom designed, handbuilt, Sapele wood stairway.The size of the model’s lit posing zone is moderate. She can sit or stand and still be litwith only an adjustment of the beauty dish required. She cannot, however, move up ordown the stairs much.Once you’ve grown accustomed to the studio, with every light going exactly where it didlast time, put in for a mental workout by venturing out on location. All the same kindsof problems you solved when you first set up your studio are back again, only in lessideal circumstances. The model is ready, and you still have to figure out why the light isnot looking right. Too much bounce? Can’t get the lights far enough or high enoughbecause the room is too small? Overcoming the challenges of lighting on location is partof the fun.Avoid on-camera flashI advise against using on-camera flash. On-cameraflash is great for sports and news photographers. Theconvenience is far outweighed by the drawbackswhen shooting nudes. Red-eye, unflattering light, andan almost total lack of control to name a few. Theremay be rare exceptions, but why stack the oddsagainst yourself? Even if you can’t afford studiolighting, you can still have off-camera flash. For littlecost and effort you can acquire a sync cord or radioremote for off-camera flash use. For outdoor photos, areflector, even an inexpensive white cardboardreflector, is a superior alternative to on-camera fillflash.On location, allthe sameproblems yousolved in yourfirst studioreturn, only in aless controlledenvironment.It’s all part of thefun.Photo 31: Stairway (opposite page)Model: Sarah H.Lights, Camera. Nude! Lighting Nudes on Location33
Light #1: A 22-inch white beauty dish, with a 40degree grid is five feet in front of the model, and twofeet above her head. It is angled downward at her faceand upper torso. The grid contains the light to themodel’s upper body, allowing her legs to maintainsome contrast with the edge lights.What to Tell theModel“Keep your face abit away from theharsh side light.”Light #2: A strobe head with a 48-inch white bounceumbrella is ten feet to camera-right and three feetbehind the model, and at the same height as herhead. This light comes through the wooden stair railslats to illuminate her upper torso. The effect of having this light behind the model canbe seen in the edge lighting on the model’s extended arm.Photo 32: Stairway lighting effectModel: Sarah H.Light #3: A strobe headwith a 48-inch whitebounce umbrella is tenfeet to camera-right ofthe model at the sameheight as her thighs.Bounce from the sidelights (#2 & #3) iscontained by the woodenscrim on the rightallowing the backgroundt o re m a i n s u b d u e d ,preventing washout ofthe white areas andallowing some contrastwith the light areas ofthe model’s body.Model Zone: The modelcan only move up ordown a step, and fromleft to right. To avoidharsh features, tell yourmodel to keep her faceaway from the harsh sidelight.34Lights, Camera. Nude! Lighting Nudes on Location
Glossarybacklight (a.k.a. hair light) Typicallyabove the subject, either directly behind orslightly to one side. Light colored hair canlook great with backlighting.barn doors A lighting modifier consistingof two or four flaps that keep light fromspilling out of the desired area.boom A light stand that holds a light abovethe model.chromatic aberration Displacement of thered and blue channels of an image due tolens characteristics; results in color fringeswhere light and dark areas meet.several lighting heads. Light heads areattached via special power cords.key light The main (most powerful) lightpointed at the modelkicker (a.k.a. accent light) At a low angle,placed to one side of the model, at leastslightly behind (95-degrees, but not morethan 135-degrees)model zone My term for the area wherethe model can move and still be well lit.modifier Any device that controls thequality, quantity, and or direction of light.diffuser A translucent material placed infront of a light to soften and reduce itsintensity.monolightA portable, self containedlight with flash tube and power in one unit,plugs directly into household power.falloff Decline in quantity of light at theedge of the area the light covers.rim light, (a.k.a. rimmer)Placed behindthe model, so that she blocks the light;points directly at the lens.fill light A light of less intensity than thekey light, that fills shadows.flagAn object designed to block light,usually an opaque panel.grid A honeycomb pattern grid thatdirects light in one direction. Morerestrictive than barn doors. Controls light toa specific angle (20 , 40 , etc.)heads & packStudiolightingconsisting of a power pack and usuallysnoot A lighting modifier that restricts thelight to a narrow beam.spot meter A light meter that takesreadings from a very narrow angle of view,usually 1-degree. Usually a hand-helddevice (not built into a camera)strobe A photographic flash.watt second (WS) A measurement of astrobe’s power output.ResourcesPassword for Freebies from the Author’s dephotoguides.com/readerYou will need to supply the username: lighting, and password: studio4Online ResourcesFor up-to-date resources visit nudephotoguides.com/resourcesEquipment Reviewsshutterbug.comstrobist.netLights, Camera. Nude! Conclusion95
New & Used mTechniqueinspiring-photography.comSuggested Topics of StudyThe following general photography topics are not covered in detail in the guide but are helpfulwhen lighting the nude. If you’re not familiar with any of the following, a basic photo lightingbook or web search can help you.ooooAdditive color theoryColor temperatureDepth of fieldInverse square lawo Light metering, spotmeteringo Lighting ratio/ Contrastratioo Flash duration (t.5 and t.1)o The Zone systemo Warming filter for lightso White balanceIndexavailable light, 79background, 9, 11, 71background lights, 71, 73backlight, 14, 30, 92, 95beauty dish, 17, 21, 30,55, 64blown-out highlights, 92bounced light, 9, 30, 41,42, 85unwanted, 75, 93chromatic aberration, 71,90, 92composition, 51, 79contrast, 20contrast ratio, 8, 92coverage, 13, 91daylight. See natural lightfalloff, 13, 16, 43, 91, 95fill light, 9, 17, 22, 30, 42,47, 51, 59, 64, 75, 77,79, 82, 85, 87too strong, 92floor shadow, 13, 73, 75gel, 47, 67grid, 17, 30, 59, 64, 7596hard shadows, 93isolation, 71large close light, 13lens flare, 16, 93light meter, 11microstock, 71modelsAnna F, 26, 29, 30, 36,40, 55Ariel W, 10, 14, 92, 94Ashley G, 89, 93Aurora L, 12, 92Elizabeth W, 16, 17Hope S, 8, 14, 15, 67,76, 77, Cover, InsideCoverJacqueline C, 73Jessica A, 75, 92, 93Johnna S, 45Kaitlyn P, 80, 82Lauren K, 63, 64Lauren M, 47, 93Lexi W, 59Michelle W, 9, 42, 71Narzahni C, 13, 20, 51,Back coverSarah H, 7, 19, 33, 37,79, 87Sarah S, 85Tara J, 71Toni C, 11natural light, 82, 85, 87online resources, 95parabolic lighting modifier,25reflected color, 9reflection, 87reflector, 9, 21, 42, 59rim light, 14, 95separation lights, 14, 37skin tone, 9, 11softbox, 16, 21, 25studio, 7, 20, 22sunlight. See: natural lighttile board, 71translucent fabric, 59umbrella, 16, 21, 23, 75water, 76, 82, 85, 87Lights, Camera. Nude! Conclusion
About the AuthorA.K. Nicholas has spent over twenty years photographing hundreds ofnude models. He has an art degree and Master's in business; and hasworked both as a professional photographer and a freelance artist. Hecomes from a family of artists and has traveled to more than threedozen countries.He creates photographic images that are exhibited in galleries, licensedfor publication, and used for photography instruction. In his booksyou'll learn from his twenty years of successes and from mistakes withhundreds of nude models.His first nude photo shoot occurred as an art student, and quite unexpectedly. After asking aclassmate if he could photograph her, she entered the studio and fully disrobed, assuming thathe had meant a nude photo shoot.From the age of nineteen, Nicholas' photographs have sold through exhibits in commercialgalleries, been licensed through stock photography agencies, and appeared books and otherpublications.Another Book from A.K. NicholasIf you enjoyed this book, you’ll want to check out A.K.Nicholas’s first book at:www.nudephotoguides.comTrue Confessions of Nude Photography A Step-by-step guide to the techniques of nude photographyFinding Models: 10 mistakes that cause you to lose a booking.Working with models: 5 tips for working with first-time models.100 nude poses: a guide for ideas and inspirationPhotoshop techniques: isolating figures, adding backgrounds, adjusting skin tone.Selling your work: microstock, galleries, posters.A step-by-step guide to recruiting beautiful models, lighting, photographing nudes, postprocessing images, and maybe even getting paid to do it.A range of processes are explained step-by-step. It's more than just a collection of photos; you'llsee full lighting diagrams as well as frank discussions of techniques and pitfalls in making theimages. The book explains how to prepare in the days and weeks leading up to making a nudephoto shoot. From finding your first nude model to selling your first nude photo, the guidepresents complete, concise instruction on lighting, posing, and-post processing with Photoshop.
photography once I’ve found the right model. Studio lighting allows the ulti-mate control over illumination, and with most nude photography taking place in the studio, the majority of the examples are indoor lighting. Location lighting is the most enjoyable for me, combining cre
