Today’s Post by Blue Moon Staff
I just think that people are so weird about nudity and the human body. Sex is not bad, naked bodies are not bad and naked bodies don’t always have to be connected to sex.—Emily Browning
Modern boudoir photography dates from the mid-1980s and is characterized by the empowerment of its female subjects, who are now typically the photographer’s clients rather than professional models. It’s a photographic style that features intimate, romantic and maybe even erotic images of its subjects.
Boudoir photography is different from glamour and art nude photography in that its approach to nudity and sexuality features subjects who do not regularly model for artists or photographers and produces images not intended to be seen by a wide audience but remain under the control of the subject. Boudoir portraits are sometimes given as a gift with the intention of re-affirming and encouraging romance and sensuality between partners in a committed relationship. It‘s not unusual for women to have boudoir photographs of themselves made as a gift to a partner, conventionally on the occasion of their engagement, marriage, or before an enforced separation such as a military deployment.Increasingly, boudoir photography is seen as something a woman might do purely for their own enjoyment, for the pleasure and affirmation of seeing themselves as attractive, daring, sensual, and desirable. What all this means to you is that you are in control of how you look and the image that you want to portray, which can be a side of your personality not normally seen and kept private for your significant other.
How This Portrait Was Made
I photographed aspiring model Laura May Bachmayer in an 11×15-foor home studio using LED light panels. The main light was placed at camera right while a 32-inch reflector was at left, kicking light back onto the subject’s face. Closing down the light’s optional barn doors on the main (and only) light, as I did for this portrait, on most continuous lights or studio flashes with modeling lights turned generates lots of unwanted heat. This LED particular light panel, on the other hand, remained cool.
The camera for the portrait used was a Canon EOS 60D with EF-S15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens (at 67mm) and an exposure of 1/20 sec at f/5.6 and ISO 800. It was retouched using my standard techniques and then the Classic Soft Focus filter from Color Efex was applied to give it filmic look because I think Ms. Bachmayer gives off a Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio vibe ala The Color of Money
