Doing a shoot with very little equipment.

[Valencia Photography]

................

[siddr20]

You have a 85mm f1.8 :)

Just use natural light.. perhaps go outside your work place and take some shots..

Why does it have to be at the back of your work?

[johnaengus]

The only place I have to take pics is at work in the back .... These would be partial to maybe even fully nude shots, not sure yet.

This is strange. Don't get fired.

[advaitin]

You can get away with your industrial lighting if you can use a reflective surface to keep the eyes lit. There is an inexpensive diffuser sold at many camera shops that fits over the onboard XT flash which will give you soft fill light.

Better to have a constant, directable light source, however. The cheap way is to go down to your local discount hardware store and pick up a couple of reflector lamps on a clamp--designed to allow mechanics and woodworkers to have movable lights that clamp to a pole or desk--and floodlamps to fit. I prefer the kind for greenhouse use because the color temp is closer to daylight.

Then use a pole or stepladder or two on which to clamp the lights. You'll need the space to move one back a bit for shadowing, you'll need extension cords, of course. Once your lights are set and you've made some test shots with a beach ball or soccer ball, then use your overheads to pose your couple, turn on the lamps, turn off the overheads, shoot and then turn on the overheads, etc., to avoid heat buildup.

You can use a big tarp or colored (but not patterned) sheet for a back drop--something that covers your background if there's anything reflective back there. Your 85 can be used at f1.8 to 2.8 to blur the background, too.

I'm assuming you can't do your nudes in your backyard for obvious reasons.

But, years ago I did the same thing in a couple's home. I shot available light using daylight filtered by a translucent curtain and a shallow depth of field to shoot a couple and their new baby nude in the middle of their living room--not full length but from the waist up--momma holding the baby to her breast and dad with his arms around both.

Then, it was harder because you had to see what came out in the negative, unless you used polaroids. Now, you just chimp.

[hawk911]

well, he's shooting a single person, not a couple but Man- really shoot at work? That's a great way to lose the workplace :(

Can the 2 of you scrape together $50 for the no-tell Motel? At least you could shoot with a table lamp and the 85 f1.8 shooting wide open. The clamp lights are a great idea too; get the brightest bulb you can find that still fits the base. Home Depot has a 150 watt equivalent CF bulb so you won't bake her at the same time.

[AxxisPhoto]

You have nice fast lens. Why not try using natural light? But not a work!

[advaitin]

Everyone is assuming that he works for someone else. Maybe he has his own business?

[speedster00]

I would find a place outside to do it. A park, the woods, a lake. Anywhere a little secluded for privacy. Natural light and background to me is always far better than making a small flourecent room work. There has to be some areas around you where noone would be around.

[advaitin]

I would find a place outside to do it. A park, the woods, a lake. Anywhere a little secluded for privacy. Natural light and background to me is always far better than making a small flourecent room work. There has to be some areas around you where noone would be around.

Ahh! Always best to be very careful. I've gone to great lengths to find isolated spots, only to have a cop come strolling in, wondering if I'm taking nudes. "Can't have that, there might be children playing in the woods."

[Valencia Photography]

Any sample pics of shots taken like you have been describing? I'd like to let her have a look at some shots so she would know what to expect without going to a pro.

[hawk911]

Why not rent some lights for the weekend? They run about $100 for the weekend around here.

[Valencia Photography]

Why not rent some lights for the weekend? They run about $100 for the weekend around here.


Good idea. But I'm in a very small rural town and there is nowhere around that rents any kind of photography equipment. I may have the lights necessary at home I think. Again more advice is appreciated, as well as samples :)

Thanks so far guys.

[jonwee89]

If you can do the shoot outside than I suggest you do that. Scout out a nice location and do it there. I'm not sure what you can do with fluorescent lighting. Unless there's some sore of interesting lighting or background going on its probably going to be dull. Another thing that's good is using window light. Always puts out some appealing pictures.

Remember its the photographer not the equipment. ;)

examples I don't think they're the best but not horrible either

outside at sunset with no light modifiers with the 85mm
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/3531737984_ae3f97deed.jpg

window light ok i cheated and used the modeling lamp from my alien bee as a fill but i could have just as easily used a lamp
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2686436071_46b52c52c5.jpg

Hope this gives you some ideas and good luck

[Valencia Photography]

Thanks! Those are very nice examples. I really like the second one. Even the pose would work well for her too! :)

[Jon Foster]

Can you find a cemetery with a Gothic structure in it? Or a church? Maybe the steps of city hall? I don't know how small your town is but there must be something to use as a setting. How about a fountain or swimming pool? Train yard, industrial area, park with a gazebo etc.

Are you shooting at a certain time of the day? Try early morning or late afternoon to get a warm light etc.

Jon.

[hawk911]

Can you find a cemetery with a Gothic structure in it? Or a church? Maybe the steps of city hall? I don't know how small your town is but there must be something to use as a setting. How about a fountain or swimming pool? Train yard, industrial area, park with a gazebo etc.

Are you shooting at a certain time of the day? Try early morning or late afternoon to get a warm light etc.

Jon.

You did notice the part about partially or fully nude right? :)

[Valencia Photography]

Yeah, outdoors for a first shoot isn't going to work. lol.

[gibbit1]

If you've got to do it in that room at work, why not use candles? You need a fast lens, of course, and you'll need to set your camera to ISO 400 or even 800, but candles will add a wonderful warmth that you can control using white balance. They might even make a nice out-of-focus foreground element. You can use one to hide a breast for a little mystery. Just a thought.

[Jon Foster]

You did notice the part about partially or fully nude right? :)

Yep. There usually aren't that many people in a cemetery. Not alive anyway... ;)

Jon.

[reneethomas]

Remember its the photographer not the equipment. ;)



I try convincing myself of this daily :lol:

[hawk911]

Yep. There usually aren't that many people in a cemetery. Not alive anyway... ;)

Jon.

Was referring to the church or city hall part, but I'm sure you knew that.

[jonwee89]

I try convincing myself of this daily :lol:

haha i say this but I still wouldn't mind if someone handed me a 5d MkII. My pictures probably wouldn't be any better but I'll feel cooler while taking them. Just saying...:)

[SupraWez]

Some great advice in here guys.

[Strayz]

You did notice the part about partially or fully nude right? :)

You might be supprised when and where shots like this may be taken. There are places in this world that are a bit more open than others. Never underestimate a location on an off day or after/before hours.

[mike62]

Mods....please remove...moved to proper thread.

[woodsters]

I would say do it somewhere with some natural light...whether its outside or inside somewhere near an open window. Of course, everyone knows i'm up for some ghetto lighting....lol

I wouldn't worry as much about my job as I would about the boyfriend....lol

[aroundlsu]

Let your limit be your creativity, not your equipment.

However, if this works out be prepared for more people to ask you to take their pic. Investing in an inexpensive off camera strobe will open up lots of creative possibilities.

[chadgeek]

Now my interest is really piqued and I'm hoping you can share some photos.