Backlighting: Attractive, Artful & Simple Nudes

Flooded with light, timeless style, creation of appealing lines: Backlighting.

If you want to concentrate on the model’s curves – or rather her “Poses” – this easy to setup lighting scenario is perfect to get rid of any other disturbing visual elements.

It lets you fully concentrate on “the model’s dance”. And, as a nice side effect, it conveys an artful approach.

One Light Only

Remember the Bodyscape setup? There we just used 1 light to keep the surrounding area dark and only highlight the body’s curves. And once again we are in a situation where we only want to use 1 light.

But due to selecting a different light modifier (extra-large softbox) we receive the opposite result: All is flooded with light. With just 1 light but the use of 2 different modifiers and 2 varying lighting directions, we create 2 totally diverse stories – amazing, isn’t it?

Video Tutorial: Step-by-Step

The video demonstration is a segment taken from my live event “LIVE 1 – LIGHTING”. It provides you with step-by-step explanations about all cornerstones and necessary details to create such a look.

And here we go with the setup, focal length, gear settings, posing approach, and creative results. This all is pretty much self-explanatory. 🙂

Lighting Setup: Autolight (= Huge Softbox) As Key

Focal Length: Step Back, Zoom In

Posing: Try A Lot Of Variations

No XXL Softbox? No Problem!

As an alternative to using a large softbox (honestly, who has that?), you can place some inexpensive, white translucent shower curtains in the model’s background.
They create (almost) the same visual effect. Here is a lighting setup I did once in my home space with model Misha.

Lighting Gear & Specs Used For “Backlighting”

• 1x Strobe 500Ws @280WS
• 1x Softbox (Auto Light) 130x200cm/4’×6.5‘
• 1x Disc Reflector 5-in-1

Camera Gear & Specs Used

• 1x Full frame
• 80-200mm focal length range
• f/10
• 1/200
• ISO 125
• 4850°K

Complete Tutorials About Lighting & Posing