Figure Photography : Techniques for Digital Photographers

Walking photographers through the process of capturing the many possibilities of the human form, this guide presents the techniques for shooting figure images that make a statement, grab attention, and create an emotional impact. Professional model photographer Billy Pegram begins by explaining core concepts such as lighting, location, exposure, and styling that are integral to any type of figure image. He then explores a wide variety of specialized genres of figure photography, including commercial, fashion, boudoir, erotic, fine art, glamour, and pin-up, demonstrating the unique hallmarks and techniques that are essential to these styles. The book provides behind-the-scenes looks at a variety of assignments, covered from concept to execution, showing how each image was imagined, the decisions that went into the styling of the set and model, how the pose was developed and refined, the lighting setup used to capture the desired mood, and any postproduction techniques used to enhance the final results. Front Cover ......Page 1 Copyright ......Page 2 Table of Contents ......Page 3 Introduction......Page 6 A Short History of Figure Imagery......Page 7 Location Selection......Page 8 FEATURE: Brief the Model......Page 10 Perks and Drawbacks......Page 11 Networking......Page 12 FEATURE: Shoot Reference Images......Page 13 Add Props......Page 15 Change It Up......Page 16 Indoor Locations......Page 17 Lighting and Exposure......Page 18 Approaches, Part 1......Page 19 Approaches, Part 2......Page 20 FEATURE: Soft and Hard......Page 22 The Golden Hours......Page 23 FEATURE: Gobos......Page 24 Placing a Single Source......Page 25 White Background......Page 26 Black Background......Page 27 Simple Variations......Page 28 Window Light, Part 1......Page 29 FEATURE: Simple Lighting, Dynamic Pose......Page 30 Choose the Right Light for Your Objectives......Page 32 Shutter Speed: Slow......Page 34 FEATURE: Practice Shooting Action......Page 36 Short Light Duration......Page 37 Postproduction Enhancement......Page 39 FEATURE: Building Your Team......Page 40 FEATURE: Get a Release......Page 48 Basic Retouching......Page 52 Color + Sepia/Black & White......Page 53 A Graphic Look......Page 54 FEATURE: The Photoshop Trap......Page 55 Photoshop Is Just Another Tool......Page 56 Jewelry Design......Page 58 FEATURE: Skip the Shirt......Page 60 Watch Design......Page 62 Fashion Design......Page 63 Lingerie Design......Page 64 FEATURE: Keep the Options Open......Page 65 FEATURE: What “Category” Is It?......Page 66 Fashion......Page 68 Drama......Page 69 FEATURE: Make It Pay......Page 70 FEATURE: Bra-Strap Marks......Page 72 Expression......Page 75 Elevate the Model......Page 76 Glamour......Page 78 Styling Team ......Page 79 FEATURE: Multiple Usages......Page 80 Clothing and Props......Page 82 FEATURE: Disclaimer......Page 86 FEATURE: Keep It Classy......Page 88 FEATURE: Playboy Style on Location......Page 90 FEATURE: Understand What Publishers Need......Page 93 Products as Props......Page 94 Models......Page 97 Expression......Page 98 FEATURE: Classic Looks, Modern Options......Page 99 Fine Art......Page 100 Universal Appeal......Page 102 Sexy or Sexual?......Page 103 Share Your Vision......Page 104 FEATURE: Mood......Page 105 Find Inspiration......Page 106 FEATURE: Find a Cause......Page 108 Watch the Eyes......Page 109 FEATURE: Shutter Speed......Page 110 Gear Isn’t Artistry......Page 111 Body Painting......Page 112 Schedule Play Days......Page 113 Experiment and Explore......Page 114 Try Different Locations......Page 117 Body Parts......Page 118 FEATURE: Lingerie Hangtag......Page 119 Lighting......Page 120 Consider Specializing......Page 123 Drama......Page 124 Concept......Page 126 Lighting......Page 127 FEATURE: For the Makeup Artist......Page 128 Pink Hair......Page 130 Textured Clay......Page 132 FEATURE: Take Care of the Team......Page 134 Ask Yourself......Page 136 FEATURE: Variations......Page 139 FEATURE: A Toned-Down Version......Page 140 Smoke......Page 142 Setup......Page 144 Lighting......Page 145 Compositing the Final Shot......Page 146 Tips from a Model: Interview with Karrin Rachelle......Page 148 Tips from a Casting Agent: Interview with Julie Green ......Page 152 With New Models......Page 154 The Results Are Worth the Effort......Page 155 Follow Your Passion......Page 156 Index......Page 157 Learn how to design nude and semi-nude images in a creative and marketable way. Includes tips on styling models and sets, producing flattering lighting effects and developing images in genres such as pinup, glamour, erotic, editorial and commercial A guide to photographing semi-nude and nude women covers such topics as lighting, posing, location selection, movement, makeup, photography styles, and working with models.