Jen in Red
A glamour nude photo, shot in my studio. Softness was the guiding idea. Jen made it easy...
A glamour nude photo, shot in my studio. Softness was the guiding idea. Jen made it easy...
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Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Aperture 11/1 ISO 3200 Shutter 1/160 Focal Length 35/1 
Los Angeles, California, US
Jun, 2023Views
405
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Awards
Summer Views Award
Flawless Summer Award
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
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Behind The Lens
Location
This shot was made in my studio, in Venice, CA. I wanted to create a dramatic nude image, with a minimum of color range and background, but that would have a striking vibrance. I shot against a black backdrop and suspended the red cloth from the ceiling hooks.Time
It was midmorning. But this made no difference because all I was using was "artificial" softbox lighting. That was because I didn't want to depend on the sun or cloudiness.Lighting
I wanted to create a gentle, soft, personalized nude photo. My model had beautiful curves and a wonderful, open face. I lit the pic to capture that.Equipment
Shot with my Canon EOS 5D, a few years ago. Handheld. I used studio flash for the lighting, balanced to capture both sharpness and the contrast of the lightings. Jen's lipstick, as it turned out, was a beautiful match for my lighting.Inspiration
I was shooting nudes. Jen replied to a query for modeling on a well-known modeling site. She told me on a phone call that she would arrive near my studio in West Los Angeles (Venice), via bus. Could I please pick her up at the bus stop in my car? I said, "Certainly." After picking her up, we went to my studio. I had the studio all set up, but I was amazed that she immediately stripped nude and began helping with with metering shots and moving the red cloth around. She was both helpful and natural--a trait that I believe I captured in the image.Editing
Very little post-processing of this photo. I had the metering down, and Jen was a completely relaxed, natural model. It's one of those images where you pre-plan it all and it works. Jen's personality was the key in this one. Bravo to her!In my camera bag
I use Canon digital cameras. I have a collection of zoom and single-focal-length lens. In my studio, I do most of my shooting using with a Canon 24-105 zoom lens. On outdoor shoots, my bag is filled with several lenses, filters, etc.Feedback
Shooting excellent nude model photos require that the model be comfortable. I agreed to pick up Jen at the bus stop, inferring that she had no car and was doing the shoot to build her portfolio and to get more assignments. When I picked her up, she was a totally open and honest young woman. We hit it off right away. She wanted me to get a great shot; she wanted to build her portfolio (she got copies of all my selected shots); and I got her confidence by picking her up at the bus stop and talking about her modeling and my photography. It was a rare, and truly rewarding experience for Jen and for me.
