Lights, Camera... Nude!: A Guide to Lighting the Female Nude for Photography (5 page)

Photo 22: Lights in the studio

Model: Narzahni C.

In this guide, I’ve defined four lighting kits. Each kit is numbered, kit #1 is the simplest, and kit #4 is the most complete. Each subsequent kit builds on the previous one, so kit #2 has everything that kit #1 has, and more. Treat the kits as potential shopping lists. Each kit corresponds to several lighting setups in this book. You don’t necessarily have to buy the exact kit to achieve the effects in the corresponding lighting setups. Look at the lights in each diagram to choose what you need.

Here are some examples of the studio equipment I will discuss later in this guide.

Shoot-through umbrella

Reflective umbrella

Strobe with snoot

Beauty dish with grid

Monolight, 7”

Pack & head

Bare head, 7” diameter reflector

Strobe head with sock diffuser

Small softbox

Striplight softbox

Boom arm

Collapsible reflector

Power (watt-second) recommendations and sizes are approximate. Not all manufacturers make products to the exact same specifications. The exact configuration is not required to achieve the results seen here.

Bear in mind that differing lighting systems do not always have compatible connections between modifiers (such as softboxes) and light heads. Adapters can be clunky. If you’re on a budget and are inclined to reduce clutter (who isn’t?) try to get lights that share the same system for attaching modifiers.

This starter kit has enough power to light the shot, is easy to transport, and is not too expensive. The monolight is a good first purchase, it’s portable and you can use it later in your larger studio setup. If you’re only going to have one light stand, spring for an air-cushioned one. Purchase a sturdy one, but not so large that you can’t travel with it. You can often buy some of these items as a package to save money. If you’re on a super low budget you can skimp a bit on the light wattage (I did decades ago, in college) but if these items seem too pricey, also consider sunlight!

The reflector provides fill light, and can save you money if you don’t want to get a second light right away. Have an assistant hold it, or clamp it to a light stand or other surface.