Key skills Enter the boudoir

Approach a boudoir shoot with the right gear and camera settings for great shots in challenging conditions

01 Camera settings There’s no stock setting for all scenarios, but most of our shots here were taken in Manual mode with the aperture around f/2.8 and shutter speeds around 1/100 sec. We then adjusted ISO to perfect the exposure, with the sensitivity ranging from ISO400 to 1600.

02 Choice of lens The ideal lens here is a prime with a focal length between 50-100mm and a wide maximum aperture such as f/1.8. Image stabilization is useful too. This’ll mean the lens performs well in the kind of low light we’ll be shooting in. Alternatively, use a zoom with a wide max aperture, like f/2.8.

03 Window light Window light is ideal for this kind of shoot. Soft, flattering, and cheap to boot, it floods over the body with beautifully even light. By moving your subject around, you can have the window in front, to the side or behind them. If the window light is too weak, you could try LED constant lighting.

04 the subject Posing in underwear isn’t easy. Compile a mood board together before the shoot so they know what to expect. During the shoot offer encouragement, tell them how great the shots look, give them clear directions on posing and show them the odd shot on the back of the camera.

05 monopod In dim interiors camera shake can be a problem. With a monopod to help prevent shake, you can get away with shutter speeds as low as 1/80 sec, especially if your lens has image stabilization. Ask your subject to keep still, brace the camera and fire off shots in bursts.

06 focus Point When shooting with wide apertures precise focusing is essential, so move your focus point over the eyes and take the time to focus precisely. When reviewing shots, zoom in close to check the eyes. It doesn’t matter if everything else is soft, as long as the eyes are sharp.