It's been a while: First of all I want to say I am back. It's been a long while but life happens and well everyone knows how that goes 2nd of all, for those that care i finally...

timmah1979 Loc: Utica,ny

First of all I want to say I am back. It's been a long while but life happens and well everyone knows how that goes

2nd of all, for those that care i finally upgraded my canon 60d to the 6d. Full Frame does make a world of difference and yes I am still using both.

Now with that out of the way, I have a question.

I have moved up to model shoots the last couple months, for the last what seems like 100 years i have been shooting outside or landscapes. I was approached and i definitely want to jump at opportunities that might expand my body of work.

However this is where inexperience shows. 3 of the next 4 shoots are boudoir style shoots which will also be taking place in hotel rooms. I have heard everything from using standard flash/umbrellas all the way down to using continuous light boxes. Being i have NEVER shot in hotels except maybe an occasional selfie I would like to know what everyone here suggests as mandatory equipment to bring because quite frankly i have no idea because of 98% experience of primarily outdoor shots. Yes the models know of my inexperience of this style of shoot and they are willing to help me get the poses and such i need but they can't obviously help me by giving me a heads up of what equipment i should bring with me. With so many people telling me conflicting things (i do know how to use umbrellas and such, for the record or i would of said no right away). i am just unsure because of smaller space (and not seeing the rooms ahead of time) and it doesn't help i don't have a huge trunk in my car to bring everything and the kitchen sink!

Any advice would be appreciated

Tim

JPL

Read about high key photography, bring lights and some light colored or white background to use at the hotel rooms if needed. Boudoir is all about brightness in the photos. You do not only need the right lighting for the models but also for the backgrounds. Then you need some wider lenses than you are used to use in studio I guess, as the hotel rooms are possibly not very spacious. So you probably need to work closer to your models than you are used to.

Hope this helps.

timmah1979 Loc: Utica,ny

Thank you for the advice. Definitely new territory for me and is turning into a learning experience. I just hope i live up to the expectations i know (and they know or they probably never would have asked) i am capable of.

JPL wrote:

Read about high key photography, bring lights and some light colored or white background to use at the hotel rooms if needed. Boudoir is all about brightness in the photos. You do not only need the right lighting for the models but also for the backgrounds. Then you need some wider lenses than you are used to use in studio I guess, as the hotel rooms are possibly not very spacious. So you probably need to work closer to your models than you are used to.

Hope this helps.

timmah1979 Loc: Utica,ny

I have a 17-40 f/4L do you think i should go wider than that?

JPL wrote:

Read about high key photography, bring lights and some light colored or white background to use at the hotel rooms if needed. Boudoir is all about brightness in the photos. You do not only need the right lighting for the models but also for the backgrounds. Then you need some wider lenses than you are used to use in studio I guess, as the hotel rooms are possibly not very spacious. So you probably need to work closer to your models than you are used to.

Hope this helps.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Check these videos out - they give excellent examples on lighting placements, model poses, camera settings, etc...

#87 - Damien Lovegrove - Boudoir Photography - jpeg2RAW Photo Podcast

Sue Bryce: How to Photograph Different Body Types

One light setup for low key body details using a speedlight

BUBBLES! Beautiful Boudoir portraits on a Budget

Mini Boudoir Session Posing Routine - Feb issue of Shutter magazine for photographers

Boudoir Photography: Flow Posing

Classic Boudoir for Everyone

Boudoir Photography - simple tips using natural light

timmah1979 Loc: Utica,ny

Thank you for all the links. I will definitely be going through them all. I got a lil over a month to get my crap together so to speak. Maybe its nerves a little bit since this is all new territory for me and i tend to be over analytical and mentally go through every scenario (good or bad) but I'm hoping i will settle down before 4/29. Which i probably will. but thats just the kind of pressure i put on myself.

I had seen the bubbles one (Matt Granger is one of my fav photographers so i try to catch most of his stuff as well as Christa Meal) But i haven't heard of a few that you posted. i'm going to be looking forward to these.

Thanks again

Tim

Shellback wrote:

Check these videos out - they give excellent examp... (show quote)

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

You might want to ask some of the folks in the People section and the Nude Photography, Boudoir Photography, NSFW, Discussions and Pictures section as they are the real experts on this...

timmah1979 Loc: Utica,ny

didn't even know there was a section. never came into my drop down menus. I'll look into it. thanks!

Shellback wrote:

You might want to ask some of the folks in the People section and the Nude Photography, Boudoir Photography, NSFW, Discussions and Pictures section as they are the real experts on this...

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Click on the My Profile link - it lists all the sections you are subscribed to with a link to all available sections so you can select others to join.

CO

I recently purchased the Paul C. Buff DigiBee DB800 studio strobe. It's a new model from P.C.B. and is based on their AlienBee B800 model but even more compact. I purchased their model 7UR umbrella reflector for it. That reflector has a 180 degree spread of light in order to completely fill an umbrella with light. I have the Rogue flash grid system that I put on my Nikon SB700 flash to use as a hair light. I use three PocketWizard radio triggers for this - a Mini-TT1 on the camera, a Flex-TT5 attached to the SB700, and a Plus X connected to the DigiBee strobe with a sync cable. The PocketWizard Mini-TT1 and Flex-TT5 support TTL metering so I can adjust flash compensation on the camera and it will alter the strength of the hair light. It's also good to set up a collapsible reflector on the other side from the main light to help open up shadow areas.

The upper photo is a test shot I did with just the umbrella reflector on the strobe. You wouldn't want to shoot with just the reflector as the light is too harsh. In the middle photo I'm shooting into my 40" white umbrella.

Umbrella reflector only
Umbrella reflector only...

(Download)

40 inch white umbrella
40 inch white umbrella...

(Download)

Grid I use as hair light
Grid I use as hair light...

(Download)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

timmah1979 wrote:

First of all I want to say I am back. It's been a ... (show quote)

Welcome back, and don't ignore Google for shooting tips.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

timmah1979 wrote:

First of all I want to say I am back. It's been a ... (show quote)

You may want to let hotel management know what you're up to, so the police don't burst in and charge you and your models with prostitution.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

aellman wrote:

You may want to let hotel management know what you're up to, so the police don't burst in and charge you and your models with prostitution.

Given the choice, the manager would probably want to play it safe and deny him the room. Or, he might see this as a "commercial" shoot and demand more money.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

timmah1979 wrote:

I have a 17-40 f/4L do you think i should go wider than that?

Is this a genuine post or someone having fun?

The 17-40 is one of the worst distorting lenses made but it is sharp... One lens and all the other issues including lighting?

Sounds like these girls really want you there...everyone has to start somewhere so be sure to post your results.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

jerryc41 wrote:

Given the choice, the manager would probably want to play it safe and deny him the room. Or, he might see this as a "commercial" shoot and demand more money.

True. It could go either way.