Practical Photography - UK (2020-04)

48 PRACTICALPHOTOGRAPHY

MEET JESSICA

PEREIRA

Jessica Pereira has been

a boudoir photographer

for over ten years. She

photographs women

from all over the globe

and runs workshops,

as well as shooting for

lingerie and swimwear

brands. She also has an

ebook course for portrait

photographers.

beautifullyundressed

boudoir.com

25 Portrait Tips

#19 Technique

I like to be fairly unconventional with
regards to lighting my clients, ignoring
standard techniques such as three-point
lighting. Instead, I prefer to back and sidelight
my subjects as it helps to create a moodier
image while flattering any body type. Try
placing your subject between you and the
natural light source. Ask them to lie down on
their back and turn their head slightly towards

the light source.

Look for the

highlightsandshadows

on the faceandbody– youshouldbe able

to make acleardistinctionbetweenthetwo.

If trialling this technique, adjust your camera

settings to a wide aperture and fast shutter

speed, then take the shot from a slightly

higher angle than your subject.

IT’S OK TO BREAK SOME RULES

TIP

USEPRIME

INLOWLIGHT

Primelensesallowyouto

us e widerapertures,letting

morelightreachyour

se nsor– greatfor

lowlight.

KNOW WHAT YOU

WANT TO ACHIEVE

#20 Editing

To edit my work I use Lightroom.

I may occasionally use Photoshop

for frequency separation – to help smooth

and even skin tone – but if I do it is always

kept to minimum, just like my Lightroom

editing. I like my images to look natural

and intimate, with film-like muted tones,

low contrast and a touch of grain.

#21 Primes

CHOOSE FIXED

FOCALLENGTHS

When shooting boudoir

I use prime lenses

for quality and continuity.

I mainly use the 50mm f/1.2

Canon, and occasionally the

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 and the

Canon 35mm f/1.4. I always

shoot in manual mode, using

a Canon 5D MkIII body. For

me it is far more important to

master a few lenses than be

mediocre at many.