close iframe icon
approved icon billndotnet avatar PRO+
billndotnet
Banner

Silhouette



behind the lens badge

Model Melissa Jean in a single light session.

Model Melissa Jean in a single light session.
Read less

Views

3333

Likes

Awards

Top Shot Award
Featured
Editor's Choice
Superb Composition
bsube Madzebra CJPark4991 edandaniphone BearTX VICX vladiart +36
Peer Award
McCasland Soeno Marcin_Wozniak marcotrifoglio MWR_Photography Loekie Coltzer +29
Outstanding Creativity
bsryan JDGpl sjphotocomau terrybull vihangdeota9 CVPhoto cameralens +15
Absolute Masterpiece
Antoniobarrios PORNrasanaga larryollivier ECBPhotog ArKa47 pietnel Stratman2112 +15
Top Choice
maxmanus richardneave Federico-Povoleri jerzyrowinski anthonymannion JohnDMcDonald edwardlrose +11
All Star
Alla_Akantova KelliETaylor michellekiba osegura nikosladic Kitsea forcexxibigbad +2
Exceptional Contrast
RobandZetPhotography Capture-Life KenBrakefield Aleshorty davidhb davidsloan
Magnificent Capture
jeremytravers mrsevenpin martinprice_1139 Gthirsk
Superior Skill
ghick6252 StylinShotsPhotography koronz
Jaw Dropping
quimribas
Virtuoso
Confalonieri

Emotions

Impressed
McCasland Antoniobarrios

Top Ranks

Clash Of The Lites Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Clash Of The Lites Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Clash Of The Lites Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Black and White Masterpieces Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Black and White Masterpieces Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
The Battle Of Professionals Photo ContestTop 30 rank
The Battle Of Professionals Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 3
The Battle Of Professionals Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Boudoir And Burlesque Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Boudoir And Burlesque Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Creating Mood With Lights Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Creating Mood With Lights Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
She Is Beautiful Photo ContestTop 20 rank
She Is Beautiful Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Awesomeness In Black And White Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Awesomeness In Black And White Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Awesomeness In Black And White Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Studio 101 Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Human Silhouettes Photo Contest by WestcottTop 20 rank
Human Silhouettes Photo Contest by WestcottTop 20 rank week 1
11 Comments | Report
billium Platinum
 
billium July 22, 2013
very eyecatching, got me , well done!!!!!
iceman2
 
iceman2 July 22, 2013
Beautiful capture.Welcome to VB!
anthonydelaney
 
anthonydelaney July 26, 2013
Beautiful silhouette image
L2Photographynet
 
L2Photographynet September 29, 2013
very nice
ArtGirl
 
ArtGirl October 17, 2013
One of the best! Beautifully captured.
hkphotography
 
hkphotography October 30, 2013
Nice use of lighting
iamtherie PRO+
 
iamtherie November 03, 2013
nice shot
Etna PRO+
 
Etna November 07, 2013
Beautiful shot
Grey_Fulton
 
Grey_Fulton November 15, 2013
voted. nicely done
paulkelly_4954
 
paulkelly_4954 June 23, 2016
Cool light effect, draws you in
pietnel
 
pietnel June 26, 2016
Awesome stunning shot
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was shot in the studio, with controlled lightning.

Time

It was definitely after lunch, but before dinner. I recall being hungry.

Lighting

The lighting setup for this session was a single Alien Bee B800, mounting a 22" silver beauty dish, positioned on a boom, directly over the model. The background was seamless white paper. Over the course of the session, we shot a wide variety of styles, changing lighting only by moving the model within the dish's spill area. For the silhouette, I merely had her step forward to put the majority of the light behind her.

Equipment

This photo was shot with a Canon 7D, mounting a Canon 50mm 1.8 lens, the 'Nifty Fifty'. Flash trigger was handled via Pocket Wizard.

Inspiration

This photo is one of perhaps a dozen great shots from the same studio session, with professional model Melissa Jean. An opportunity to work with her presented itself, and I jumped at it. Her understanding of lighting combined with her great posing and excellent lines produced shot after shot of great images.

Editing

Post processing is limited to a crop, conversion to black and white, and contrast/black point adjustment to enhance the silhouette.

In my camera bag

For studio sessions like this, which was effectively a body study, I like to take a single light, and a single lens. This forces me to focus on the composition, without thinking about things I can do to modify the shot. One of my rules when shooting is simple: Creativity comes from constraints. When you have a bag full of equipment on hand, it can become a distraction, or even a crutch when you run out of ideas.

Feedback

Shooting the human body is a collection of challenges: composition, lighting, and posing. Lighting the human body isn't difficult in and of itself, but combining it with posing and composition can be tricky. An experienced model is well worth her rate, for this, especially if you're new to shooting the human body, never mind a nude one. It's important for everyone to be relaxed and comfortable. Rapport is important, as well as a running dialogue. Let the model know what you like, don't like, offer suggestions, ask for adjustments, crack jokes, but keep talking. Nothing kills a creative session like silence.

See more amazing photos, follow billndotnet

It’s your time to shine! ☀️

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Already a member? Log In

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, and acknowledge you've read our Privacy Policy Notice.