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How to light fine art nudes

Techniques

24 October 2007 12:46

The key element with successful studio shots is how you position the lights. For fine art images it’s best to keep the number of lights to a minimum, so stick with one or two lights, using one main light and a second just to add light to the hair or lighten shadows.

For the more moody, stylised look in our profile shot here, we used a black background and a single light to give strong shadows. With the model facing right, this light was positioned almost directly in front of her to provide maximum contrast between her shape and the black background.

For the classic seated shot we used a white background lit with two lights – one with a softbox attached level with the model and the other to her right to create the modelling light on her back. A third light, with barn doors attached to channel the light, was put above and behind the model in the left corner. This was directed at her hair to add sparkle, as it would otherwise have been in shadow.

The reclining down shot uses a single light with a softbox attached from above and slightly to the right of the model. This lit the model’s back, creating the shadows to emphasise the shape and form.