boudoir shots

[bfc]

after looking through one of my photo mags my wife suggested that she would like some boudoir photo's taken, i have only taken head and shoulders pics before and would like to know if anyone can give me some advice on the lighting setup that would give the best results, i have a budget light setup with softbox and umbrella, i also have a wireles triger for off the camera speedlight. many thanks for any help

[jerryph]

Just like there is no one camera setting that makes perfect pictures, there is no one lighting setup that does it all, unfortunately.

Matter of fact, lighting can have a greater range of possibilities than all the camera settings combined. The only thing that can help you is reading, studying, and practice, practice, practice.

Start by going over the Lighting 101 and Lighting 102 courses at www.strobist.com. Once you have wrapped these concepts around your mind, things will become a little easier for you.

[bfc]

thank you for your help once again. when looking at these types of photographs i have always admired the very subtle and subdued lighting, and it was this effect i was after, would i be right in assuming that i could acheive this with a one light setup?

[mvandenburg]

Not to take away anything from this forum but you might want to check the Canon photo forum for help with this. They have a glamour section where they will help answer questions as well as another section where photographers post photos for ideas and c+c. I look a lot at their people and kids section as well as the sports section and they are all quite active. Most of the photographers on the site are pro's and willing to assist with legit questions.

link
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

The glamour/nude section seems to be filled with very skilled photographers and they will usually post how the set up their shots. I'm looking to do some bodyscape b/w shots of my wife and getting ideas from there.

[mvandenburg]

Forgot to mention you will need to register and login (free) to even see the g/n section.

[jerryph]

thank you for your help once again. when looking at these types of photographs i have always admired the very subtle and subdued lighting, and it was this effect i was after, would i be right in assuming that i could acheive this with a one light setup?

One can accomplish a LOT with one light. Anyone who knows anything about photography has heard about Zack Arias and his OneLight seminars and DVDs. He does amazing things with one light.

The trick for that soft subdued look is all about diffused light. You can only get diffused light using modifiers, not bare flashes. I'd suggest looking into an umbrella and later when funds permit, a softbox. I own the 28 and 50 inch Westcott softboxes that were made specifically for battery powered flashes... either would be perfect for your needs.

I've done several boudoir sessions with my brides using one or two flashes and the portability of a battery powered strobe is perfect in these cases. I also often use a reflector on a lightstand/boom to help lower the shadows on the unlit sides when needed.

Boudoir and glamor are two totally different directions, IMHO. Boudoir stresses subtlety, finesse, sexuality, sensuality. Glamor, though it can touch a couple of these points, it is nearly never all at the same time like a good Boudoir style demands. I link glamor to fashion more than anything else. It is often more brutal, direct and raw compared to boudoir lighting.

Just my 2 cents.

[johnnya]

I love it...Boudoir = practice practice practice. :)

[bfc]

sorry its taken me so long to reply, but thank you to all for your help. i will try the canon link as advised and will let you know how i get on. once again thanks people