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

78 exploring techniques

playing with shadows

in the same way that you can use the play of light and

shadow on the body to create beautiful effects, so you can

play with the shadows cast by the body itself. in doing this

you can add depth and atmosphere to an image and also,

perhaps, bring in an element of tension between the

shadow and its “master.” You don’t need elaborate lighting

setups to achieve great results: the images here were

created simply with a lamp or available light. shadow figures

can appear substantial and ominous or light and delicate—

you’ll need to experiment and reposition yourself and your

model in relation to the light until you find your desired effect,

both aesthetically and emotionally.

A simple setup

here, the light is provided by

a halogen lamp of the type that’s

used in construction, which can be

bought cheaply from most home

improvement stores. By placing the

lamp on the floor pointing upward

you create the kind of dramatic,

looming shadows favored by the

makers of thrillers and horror films.

Different effects

each perspective—shooting from

above, below, at eye level, and so

on—creates a different atmosphere.

You may need to lie right down on the

floor or climb on a chair or ladder to

get the most interesting effects. the

amount of light on the model’s body

will vary according to your position,

so move around and experiment.