Pascal Baetens. Nude Photography. The Art and The Craft. 2007

lighting 77

dressing with shadows

You can emphasize the beauty and fragility of a model’s

body, and add a touch of mystery, by dressing the model

with shadows. Wherever there is light, there are shadows,

and wherever you put an obstacle between a direct light

source and a body, you create shadows on the body. You

can play with different forms and patterns, with light direction

and light intensity. You can create a mood with your use of

shadows, suggest a story with them, or make a statement—

the possibilities are endless. shadows are the most simple,

inexpensive, and effective props available to the nude

photographer. By using them in this way you stimulate the

viewer to look beyond the nudity of the model.

Laure-Anne at a window

here, the pattern of the light and shadow is

confined to one side of the body, focusing

attention on the breast and belly area.

Light is filtered through the blown glass of

an old window. Modern glass doesn’t produce

the same pattern, but slatted blinds or lace

curtains can also be used to great effect.

The lines resemble a sweeping brushstroke—

narrower and more defined at the top, blurring

and broadening as it travels down the body.

Cropping the image in this way almost gives

the body the shape and proportions of a face,

inviting the viewer to look at it.

Alexia under a tree

leaves create a wonderful mosaic pattern on

the model’s skin. i took this picture on a late

summer’s afternoon, when the light had

become warm and soft.

The time of day is crucial for this kind of

image. Around midday the hard, contrasty

light would have turned the shadows into

unattractive black spots.

The direction of the model’s eyes reinforces

the gentle, romantic nature of the scene. here,

Alexia’s dreaming eyes follow the light direction,

into the empty right half of the image.

Marion in bounced light

here, the model is caught in the last moments

of daylight, bounced via a mirror on her right.

the sun’s position is on the left.

The position of the model was critical to the

success of this shot. i positioned Marion very

carefully to capture the dot of light on her right

nipple and the bold stripe of shadow down the

center of her body.

A degree of anonymity is achieved by

allowing the lighted area to begin just below

her eyes. sometimes this can help the image,

making it easier to appreciate the subtle forms.