Melissa - Swimsuit and Baby Oil

[Paul Jones]

Here's a few from my latest Blog post. Melissa - Swimsuit and and Baby Oil

There's more photos and a lighting setup at - http://www.pauljones.org/?p=981

Do you think camera settings and lighting setup diagrams are helpful? I'm just looking at other things I can add to my blog.

Feel free to add any comments, here or on my blog.

Thanks
Paul

[PhilipHowe]

Paul, I think wherever there is any kind of creative lighting, then the lighting diagram is very helpful.
A picture is worth 1000 words and all that.

I tend to use a lot of flat lighting, so maybe a lighting diagram is of no use.

[melbarnes]

I tend to use a lot of flat lighting, so maybe a lighting diagram is of no use.

Phil - what do you mean by "flat lighting"?

[melbarnes]

Who put the baby oil on Paul? )

[Paul Jones]

Who put the baby oil on Paul? )

Melissa did.

[PhilipHowe]

Mel,

I tend to use a huge softbox on the right of camera, and a huge octobox with a grid on the left of camera (OCD). This effectively gives a wall of light. I also have a large shoot through reflector which is about 8feet by 6feet and just put however many bare lights I need behind it with the subject around 10feet away.

Most of my images are on my purpleport account. http://purpleport.com/portfolio/bestdayofourlives/
I've marked a lot of the images 18+, but I don't think there's any nudity in any of them, so you could safely click the show all images tag. In fact, there is one nude I shot a while ago at the club rooms.

The ones on the grafitti wall and stairs are all one large softbox, trying to create the same idea.
The ones in the window that look like they could be natural light are using the softbox and octagrid off to the left, bounced off walls/ceilings, anything, but still trying to create a wall of light.

I'm not a fan of natural light, as, despite my god complex, I can't control that...

[Paul Jones]

what do you mean by "flat lighting"?

'Flat Lighting' is generally where the subject/person is lit in a way that is lacking in shadows or features. Flat Lighting might be used in glamour or portrait photography. An obvious example I suppose is the use of a ringflash in fashion photography, which is very frontal lighting.

There is no right or wrong way to light a person. It's a matter of what works for the subject and the photographer. The more you read books and watch lighting videos can lead to confusion as some photographers like to shoot into the light; some like to light from the front; some prefer using one light and some like to use three or four lights.

I often like to use just one light, or sometimes I'll throw all the lights I can at it.

Many photographers have their favourite lighting setups that they know will give them consistent results. As Philip has done, find a way that you're happy with and that gives you the results you want.

[Paul Jones]

Paul, I think wherever there is any kind of creative lighting, then the lighting diagram is very helpful.
A picture is worth 1000 words and all that.

Thanks Philip.

I'm not a fan of natural light, as, despite my god complex, I can't control that...

Same as me. Though I would like to be better at natural light, and I do like the results. I just need more practice with using it.

[melbarnes]

'Flat Lighting' is generally where the subject/person is lit in a way that is lacking in shadows or features.

Thanks Paul - that's more terminology under my belt!

[PhilipHowe]

Paul, can I just make comment on one of the photos?
There is one where the crop is really tight around Melissa's shoulders, and I can't help thinking a slightly wider crop would help. Her shoulders look restricted, as though they've been squeezed in.

[Paul Jones]

Paul, can I just make comment on one of the photos?
There is one where the crop is really tight around Melissa's shoulders, and I can't help thinking a slightly wider crop would help. Her shoulders look restricted, as though they've been squeezed in.

Of course you can, Philip. That's why I post.

Yes, I know the shot you mean, and, on reflection, you're right. Good call.