Nude Photography

[Lourensb]

Hi There,

I'm new to this forum. Tried to Post this Question to G & N but don't have access. As this is my 1st Post.

Also, if there is a Topic on this, please advise, and I do Apologize in Advance.


Tonight I am Planning on Doing my 1st Nude Shoot. I'm a Normal Bloke, Not a Pro Of any Sorts. With Almost no Equipment.

I have a Canon 400d with a Sigma 18mm to 200 mm OS lens. Thats It..

Baring this in mind... Can Anyone give me Any tips to try... Lightning, what should I do... also with a Background ? Do I use a Normal White Sheet ?

At the end of the day, I want to convert them to B&W shots...

Is there any one here, Willing to Share their knowledge and Experience.

The Model is a Personal Friend, and Is Ok with being Naked In front of me.

Any Help would be Appreciated.

[Photodawg1]

Read the glam and lighting threads...wealth of info there.

[ThomasOwenM]

If you're 100 percent certain you don't want color, maybe set the camera to B&W instead of converting it later. That way you see the look you're going for on the LCD screen. However, only do this if you're absolutely certain you want black and white because you can't add the color back later.

[neil_r]

If you're 100 percent certain you don't want color, maybe set the camera to B&W instead of converting it later. That way you see the look you're going for on the LCD screen. However, only do this if you're absolutely certain you want black and white because you can't add the color back later.

I would advise against that, Remember B&W is not just B&W. Shoot colour and that will give you so much more control of the B&W conversion in post processing.

[Athoras]

you could use raw and shoot black and white since you can change back to color later any way.

[BillsBayou]

Hi There,

I'm new to this forum. Tried to Post this Question to G & N but don't have access. As this is my 1st Post.

Also, if there is a Topic on this, please advise, and I do Apologize in Advance.


Tonight I am Planning on Doing my 1st Nude Shoot. I'm a Normal Bloke, Not a Pro Of any Sorts. With Almost no Equipment.

I have a Canon 400d with a Sigma 18mm to 200 mm OS lens. Thats It..

Baring this in mind... Can Anyone give me Any tips to try... Lightning,

Lightning shots are not recommended. You could kill a model this way. ;)

Lighting varies according to how you want to shoot. Sidelights, key lights, hair lights, back lights, natural light, all make for lovely nude shots. Basically, browse the G&N forum and see what others are doing. Every now and then you'll see someone post a "How I lit the scene" photo.

Here's a great site with plenty of tips from low end to high end lighting: http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

what should I do... also with a Background ? Do I use a Normal White Sheet ?

Again, what do you want to do? I've seen great shots in front of backgrounds and on sofas.

A normal white sheet, as in a bed sheet, is not the way to go. A normal white sheet, as in a roll of white paper is much better. Take a look at some of the shots where the model is on a white sheet (roll paper) with a large piece of plexiglass on the floor. The paper goes down the background and under the plastic. You can get some interesting results with this. Take a look at what others did before trying it yourself.



At the end of the day, I want to convert them to B&W shots...

These make wonderful shots. Look for tutorials on B&W conversions. It's more than just some photo software setting "Convert to B&W".



Is there any one here, Willing to Share their knowledge and Experience.

The Model is a Personal Friend, and Is Ok with being Naked In front of me.

Any Help would be Appreciated.

Nude friends are the best. You already feel comfortable with them. You may, however, still want to have an assistant with you and have her bring a chaperone of some sort. If the two of you are very good friends, that may not be necessary.

Look for contracts on model releases. She may want to use the photos for a portfolio and you may want to use the photos to post in G&N (your own G&N photos are an early ticket into the G&N forum). The thing is, you'll want to discuss who owns the photos. I recommend retaining ownership. You can draw up a contract that gives her unlimited use, but you retain the rights to do the same. She may want you to give her prints or a CD or both. You'll want to do all the post-processing before you give her either. After all, if she shows these photos to anyone, they're looking at your work. You'll want your friend to look her very best.

All of this and more can be found in the G&N forum. You'll learn a great deal by browsing all the threads. All of the questions you can't post are being posted by someone else.

[rhys]

I don't believe in nude photography - I always keep my socks on :p

The best nude photo I ever saw was b/w and had a series of statues along a pathway then you did a double-take because one statue wasn't on a plynth. Then you realised it was the nude model.

[stathunter]

I don't believe in nude photography - I always keep my socks on :p

.

Sometimes feeling the air is refreshing. Just dont get your lens stuck on anything. ;)