Boudoir and Glamour

Hello everyone,

I've been busy!

I've had the opportunity to do a 2 day boudoir/glamour shoot. The model featured is my sister and we had a fantastic time. A big thank you to Stephen for his help and advice, without which I wouldn't have learned so much.

Basically, I had 3 Elinchrom 600RX lamps and a softbox. ~I've never used anything except my flash before! I did all the research about lighting but not enough about the relationship between the camera and the sync. My shots were obviously dark because I had no idea that the sync was so important. Anyway - I realise now the studying that I have to do and am looking forward to it. Any help with this would go down a treat

Please have a look at my new Boudoir/Glamour Album and give me your critique. I am trying out a few new techniques that may not be your cup of tea but I enjoy the editing side too and would like your comments on those different images.

Thanking you in advance

Gina

ps I've tried looking for a sync lead that fits my camera (Canon EOS 400D) BUT CAN'T FIND ONE! Am I doing something wrong?

[Stephen]

Gina,if your camera has no coaxial socket socket for use with a sync lead then you can buy a hotshoe flash adaptor which the lead will plug into. They are pretty cheap from any decent camera shop.

You must have your camera on manual for studio flash. Preferably use a flashmeter which will tell you only the aperture you need for any given ISO setting. Shutter speed is less important and if you want to eliminate ambient light set the camera on 125/sec

[coupekid]

Originally Posted by Gina

Hello everyone,

I've been busy!

I've had the opportunity to do a 2 day boudoir/glamour shoot. The model featured is my sister and we had a fantastic time. A big thank you to Stephen for his help and advice, without which I wouldn't have learned so much.

Basically, I had 3 Elinchrom 600RX lamps and a softbox. ~I've never used anything except my flash before! I did all the research about lighting but not enough about the relationship between the camera and the sync. My shots were obviously dark because I had no idea that the sync was so important. Anyway - I realise now the studying that I have to do and am looking forward to it. Any help with this would go down a treat

Please have a look at my new Boudoir/Glamour Album and give me your critique. I am trying out a few new techniques that may not be your cup of tea but I enjoy the editing side too and would like your comments on those different images.

Thanking you in advance

Gina

ps I've tried looking for a sync lead that fits my camera (Canon EOS 400D) BUT CAN'T FIND ONE! Am I doing something wrong?

Hi Gina,

I would be inclined to post individual images for critique. You may find you get a better response.

This is not really my field, so unfortunately I cant offer anything constructuctive.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by Gina

Hello everyone,

I've been busy!

I've had the opportunity to do a 2 day boudoir/glamour shoot. The model featured is my sister and we had a fantastic time. A big thank you to Stephen for his help and advice, without which I wouldn't have learned so much.

Basically, I had 3 Elinchrom 600RX lamps and a softbox. ~I've never used anything except my flash before! I did all the research about lighting but not enough about the relationship between the camera and the sync. My shots were obviously dark because I had no idea that the sync was so important. Anyway - I realise now the studying that I have to do and am looking forward to it. Any help with this would go down a treat

Please have a look at my new Boudoir/Glamour Album and give me your critique. I am trying out a few new techniques that may not be your cup of tea but I enjoy the editing side too and would like your comments on those different images.

Thanking you in advance

Gina

ps I've tried looking for a sync lead that fits my camera (Canon EOS 400D) BUT CAN'T FIND ONE! Am I doing something wrong?

Hi Gina

Had a look at your shots published on the gallery.
My first thoughts are that the shadows on face and body are too busy and slightly hard. We are talking glamour which suggest soft.
I note you were using three flash heads and a softbox. This is too much for the inexperienced.
With the softbox set just off center to the left or right and slightly pointing down to the model would I feel be much kinder. This can then be supplemented with either a weak fill in from the opposite side or a reflector to throw some light into the shadows, which should be relativly soft with the softbox anyway.

If you want use another light or lights for the background, or one light with a snoot (if available) to light the hair from the back, this gives if done carefully a lovely rim light.
When in the studio I rarely use more than two lights, unless doing high key and I will have two light on the backdrop.
Its best to keep it simple.

Another technique to add softness is a soft filter on the camera, or create it in Photoshop later. If you want I will post my Photoshop method to the forum.

Patrick

Thank you for your comments.

Gina

[Jocelyn Walker]

Not really one for boudoir or 'girlie' shots! However, looked at your album & like 'backlight'! A tad toooo dark tho'!