Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

I have not done nudes or related since the early 1980s, when my real career took an upswing in time that no longer allowed me to have a part-time side business. Photographed about 300 weddings in my time, but shot just about everything from dead bodies in caskets to pets to some "glamour sets", which I consider were the precursor to Boudoir Photography that started I believe in the mid-1980s. I would like to do a continued sequence so this full set has 15 photos from the first presented here to the final was of her topless but did not like the photo well enough to post here so you got #14. These are what came out of the camera (seem a little washed out now but remember the state of cameras, film, developing and printing 40+ years ago), are 3-1/2 x 5 prints that I just scanned on my cheap Epson flatbed scanner. These were shot in my home's basement studio (with 7' ceilings), one wall consisting of these drapes and the other with a roll of neutral gray seamless paper. I had two Honeywell light units, one slave fired, and a small back light. As I think back, it was a primitive time.

My equipment then consisted of two Pentax Spot-o-matic 35mm SLR, one with a standard 50 or 55mm lens and the other body I would usually have my 135mm lens on it. I also had a Twin Lens Rolleiflex (2-1/4 sq negatives) that I used for weddings so I could always view the wedding party members thru the top lens while the image was shot thru the bottom. It also allowed me to keep my flash unit stationary, then decide to have printed vertical or horizontal. Sorry to say that is about all the "technical" information I remember, and obviously won't repeat this stuff in the future but because I am new here wanted to give a little background information.

PeterDragon Loc: Harlan, KY - Kona, HI - Phoenix, AZ

More please.
Jim

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

A very lovely lady, nice poses
The lighting is just a tad harsh, The background with all the wrinkles and the harsh light just don't work.
Try a bit softer light, soft boxes with some diffusion would help a lot.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

Excellent...
I don't usually reply to about the photo's on the page but, I think that these are EXCELLENT photograph's...
I absolutely love the first one....
Keep'em coming, I for one would love to see more of your photo's..
Nothing better than leaving something for the imagination ....


Tom

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice! Sometimes less is more.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Agree with everything you said just please remember these were in 1978-80, with equipment I had. The two Honeywell units I am sure had some sort of high-powered incandescent bulb, but were not able to be dimmed. I did try one time to put some item I had bought over the lights to soften them, only to watch it start to smother after a half dozen shots. Regardless, you could write a book on what I didn't know about lighting then! My early photography was almost exclusively weddings and travel, where I just needed a single flash unit mounted with camera or none at all. If I remember correctly, the drapes were bought at a garage sale for $5.00 or so, which still beat the hell out of the dark wood grooved paneling on the wall. LOL

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

I only photographed her twice - so I will see if I can find the other set with the motorcycle and whip. My career was sales & marketing - that sentence is called a "tease". lol

Jwshelton Loc: Denver,CO

Nice set.

Toby

Stardust, I think these are excellent. I remember back in the day I shot nothing like this. I think yours are very good and if you apply your talents using today's modern equipment, cameras, lights and PP your photos will be even better.
I like seeing photos from the 70's & 80's but would also like to see some from modern times. Keep posting

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Very nice series.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

I do apply my "talents" <lol> today with modern equipment (digital still & video) and Power Director software, but they are in the area of my travelogues, with combined photos, video, sounds, music, special effects, etc. Was in Egypt & Jordan in Sept, leaving in a few weeks for China. So any nudes or glamour sessions will be from the 70s & 80s or none at all - been there, done it, at 71 yrs old just not my interest in shooting any longer. Don't take that wrong - still immensely enjoy the quality work that many post here but this category has been more a walk of nostalgia for me versus setting out on a new direction. Not to say I wouldn't grab my equipment and start shooting away if some pretty model walked up, took off her clothes, and asked to be photographed! <smiling>

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

I do plan to post more here but anything modern will be in the other categories of my travel photos, but I view that more a winter activity when I have less to do. Spring WILL come sooner or later here in Central Illinois!

Toby

I understand. Keep posting from the 70's I like them as well
Toby