The Look
Alluring, Voluptuous, Playful. Suggestive. Sexbomb.
“Attractive chic” was the first claim that crossed my mind while developing this shoot.
A short series that is very centered on the model, being all about her expressions and appeal.
Playmate Coxy Dominika is playing sexy for the camera – which actually means for you, the observer – in a direct and intimate way.
The Visual Approach
In order to implement the “model centered” approach, I want to capture the model’s full body.
I already shot so many sets with standing models that I think it’s about time to let Dominika lie down on the floor. This provides us with a different scope here.
I do not shoot precisely symmetric along the floor’s lines: The model is placed diagonal to this shape and I just fully concentrate on framing her.
Beautifying & Styling
The tule-tutu is a wisp of nothing. But it helps to lead the eyes precisely to the hidden parts and inspires the onlooker’s fantasy. Plus, it also helps to shoot a few general implied nudes.
The strong red lipstick signals “sultry” and does not leave any other interpretations but the forbidden ones.
Using an additional jewelry accessory reading “Sexy” and placing it on more or less “delicate” places for a few snaps, automatically tells the rest of the story if you just let your imagination fly 🙂
Posing
I really want to visually carve out the bending of her lines and forms on a very deliberate level. That’s why I choose the very symmetric patterned floor as a background. Dominika’s lines and curves will break and burst the given arrangement…
Lighting Concept
In this set I don’t want to incorporate any available ambient light. For supporting the styling the light’s feel must be crisp and defined. Therefore an overall soft lighting would not help.
Because I can’t block out the sun’s rays from shining in (and creating the ambient’s fill), I have to bypass it with a trick: shoot with the fastest possible sync-speed (1/200) and lower the ISO. The overall result is that the ambient light has no influence anymore.
Key Light, Shadow Modulation & Catch Lights
- The key light is equipped with a medium sized octobox and placed above the model in an approximate distance of 4 meter/13 feet. The light comes slightly from the side into the axis, meaning it is not placed straight in a 90 degrees angle from top.
- This axis shift creates better modulation on the model’s body which means a recognizable shadow fall. The same goes for the shadows the body itself produces on the floor: the visual separation is simply much better and the upper body separates nicely from the floor, which represents the background in this composition.
- Despite the light’s slight off-position and axis of the beam, catch lights are clearly visible and sparkling in the eyes!
Photo Production Team
- Model: Playmate Coxy Dominika, CZ
- Photographer: Dan Hostettler, CH
- MU&HA: Aneta Lozkova, CZ
- Assistant: Tereza, CZ
- BTS Documentary: Jan Prerovsky, CZ
Tech DNA
- 1x 400 Ws Monoblocs
- Key light: Ocatox Ø4’/Ø120m, powered around 250 Ws
- f/11
- 1/200
- ISO 100
- 4900K
Tutorial: “Glamour Nudes: Shooting Blueprint. Concept, Planning, Shoot, Legal.”
Tutorial: ‘Playboy Glam & Artistic Nudes Photo Production’
7 Films. 133 Min Runtime. FullHD
Follow A Complete Production Process: Prep & Shoot. 5 Sets! Starring Czech Playmate Coxy Dominika.
Photo Shoot Blueprint: Get a detailed overview about all steps of a photo production process: Concept, Planning, Art Direction, Implementation, Full Tech Specs, Secrets & Results. Observe, feel and learn from this extremely detailed glam & artNUDE production by following Dan’s single steps. Consider this tutorial a glimpse into a private workshop from the comfort of your home.
Very helpful Tutorial! You are always great to share your techniques. I need to find a great studio setting like that. Awesome!
Hi Mike, thanks!
Well basically you can do the same at any location – just the ceiling height must be high enough.
Post a photo once you did a shoot!
Hello Dan,
Thank you for your post always interesting and technical.
I’ve a question about the angle of the camera up to the model. You talked about the octobox at 20 degree for the shadow, but the camera is strictly vertical or for some pictures you change the angle of it ?
Thanxxx 😉
Hello Killkuria, thank you!
Camera angle: It wasn’t possible to align the shooting angle strictly from the top because the ladder had to be a bit away to not interfere with the shot. So I guess the angle is about 10-20 degrees too.
During the shoot I did not change my position (always stayed on top of the ladder) yet for a few shots at the end (for having a variation) the model moved a bit farther away.
Best, Dan
Yet another really useful explanation Dan, thank you.
Would you consider making your Set-A-Light files available for these tutorials? It would be really fun to play with them and modify them for equipment and locations that I have on hand.
Just a thought. Thanks for the tutorial
Milt
Hey Milt, thank you!
=> .set file: Thank you for the input! You are right. I posted now the specific file. Please have a look at the end of the post, after “Tech DNA”. I hope this helps & have fun!
Best, Dan
Wonderful tutorial as usual, but why was the beautiful model wearing shoes. I do understand the concept of heals or the model on her toes when doing standing or even seated poses but somehow wearing shoes while she is lying (or laying, damn English is to complicated) just doesn’t seem to flow and detracts from the story IMHO. Otherwise, a great presentation and explanation. I especially liked your discussion of shutter speed to control ambient light. Well done Dan.
Thank you, Winston! Shoes: great question! As I was planning the look I didn’t think about to shoot without shoes. Somehow it just felt right to the styling/beautifying/theme for me. I am still happy with the shoes in the pic. BUT… …I should have done a variation without shoes. I hadn’t this remark on my production sheet and in the heat of the moment (10 minutes shooting time net) totally forgot about that. That’s a pity but the truth. If there was a remark on the look table, Aneta (MUHA) would have remind me during shooting that set. Lesson learned…-… Read more »