well, this should be interesting. . .

wev

Senior Member
Contributor
For some reason I have never figured out, I have a lot of lesbian friends. A long time couple have asked me to do some boudoir shots with them both. Nothing explicit or kinky, but moody, sensuous, and mysterious, shot B&W per their request. This is a new one for me and, given what I generally shoot, I don't have a lot of lens choice, but will take my 35, 50, and tam 90. I want to stay away from flash except as soft fill, but I can borrow some good lighting stuff from the school photo lab. They have a lovely old home with huge rooms and beautiful furniture, so the staging will easy and I can go beforehand to try setting, etc. And before you ask, my wife will second me -- she has an excellent eye in such, ah, matters.

Any hints or advise would be gratefully accepted

I should add, given the personal nature of the images, I doubt I will post any here.

So wish me luck, kids
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I would really suggest some large soft boxes. Heat cranked up beforehand so the ladies are warm.

Should be interesting, embrace the experience.
 

wev

Senior Member
Contributor
I would really suggest some large soft boxes. Heat cranked up beforehand so the ladies are warm.

Should be interesting, embrace the experience.

Exactly my thoughts. I can get the boxes from school and they have a big fireplace I'll use for both the heat and the firelight.

Interesting to say the least -- and I was going to add something my wife said, but this is a family friendly place. . .
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I don't know what editing program you use, but the Nik Tools Skin Softener is really nice for this kind of work. I love it for this kind of work and then I reduce the opacity on the skin softened layer to find that happy place where the skin is soft, but still looks real.

Will you be able to share your work on this? Would love to see how it turns out. However, that is up to the ladies. My work has not been shared by the choice of the ladies.
 

wev

Senior Member
Contributor
I don't know what editing program you use, but the Nik Tools Skin Softener is really nice for this kind of work. I love it for this kind of work and then I reduce the opacity on the skin softened layer to find that happy place where the skin is soft, but still looks real.

Will you be able to share your work on this? Would love to see how it turns out. However, that is up to the ladies. My work has not been shared by the choice of the ladies.

Yeah, editing will be all important to get the look and feel they are after. I anticipate several run-throughs before finalizing shoots. I have all the NIK stuff I can use at the school, although I have to be discrete.

Given the nature of the job and my friendship with the ladies, I would be uncomfortable with posting even 'safely' cropped shots.
 
Back in the dark ages when I got my first 35mm camera I took classes in photography to include darkroom work. There was a good looking young lady in the class and one day when we were in a class field trip shooting in the woods. While we were out we all had gone our own way to shoot. She found me and said she found the perfect shot and wanted my help. I sent with her and she showed me what she said was the perfect place for a nude photo and proceed to take off her clothes and told me to take the photo. I did not share the photos with anyone but her. The next class she passed around the photos I took. Everyone loved them. I shot photos of her for the net year along with a number of her friends and a couple more of the young ladies. Always with my wife's permission.
Done correctly and in good taste Boudoir and even nudes can be a great art form.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Good luck with this project. 99.9% of my photos are shot with the sun as the light sourse, and clouds are my "soft box" so I have no practical advice at all. :)
 
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