In the studio

Stu details his usual studio setup for his artistic nude photography

“My favourite light is just straightforward window light”

1 WINDOW LIGHT/DAYLIGHT Without a doubt, my favourite light is just straightforward window light. i tend to adapt the light with reflectors and diffusers to fill in shadows. There are different qualities of light throughout the day, so find what suits you.

2

TRI-FLECTOR The use of the Tri-flector with a softbox is by far the best style of lighting in the studio for me – it gives beautiful butterfly-style lighting, and you can also position the panels to fill in shadow detail to an infinite degree when using the unit as a 3/4 full-length reflector.

3

FLUORESCENT TUBES This gives a completely different quality of light to work with. i use gels attached to the tubes and a high camera iso.

4

SOFTBOX another favourite is using a small Elinchrom Rotalux 70cm deep softbox placed high above the model. This gives brilliant downward shadows giving greater definition to the human form. adding a fill light controls the shadows.

5

PURE WHITE BACKGROUND a definite go-to setup for me is the pure white background. We have four lights, two either side, set at f16 and flagged off with large panels. The model stands just forward of the spread of light and the use of white panels fills in any front lights.