Work, life, and culture in Japan and Asia

• Digital SLR camera (for good quality images)
• Studio flash (not an on camera flash) and reflectors
• Props
• Food for energy and for motivation

• To get the subject (usually person) to stand out

This question of how to do nude photography has been asked of me a few times, but I hadn't got round to producing a tutorial on it, mostly because it's not my area of expertise. But, here's the best advice that I can offer

• Settings: Use iso100, something between f5.6 to f16, and 1/125 shutter speed. Also, with f11, have your model further away from the background (usually a wall), so the details of the wall and other things are more blurred out, creating a softer look with less distractions.
• White Balance: With the flash, be sure your white balance is set for the flash you're using. In the examples below, the studio flash was rated to 5,500K, so the cameras WB was set to this.
• Lenses: A prime lens (non zoom) like a 50mm, 85mm, or 100mm lens would give best image quality and skin colour reproduction. Often, an older lens is gentler on skin details, which many women might appreciate more, but the colour tends to be a little dry.
• Light Set Up: Set up your flash to point from one side, or from above the camera bouncing off of the ceiling. But don't use your on-camera flash. Using an on-camera flash creates an unpalatable dark halo on one side of the subject, and it looks cheap and amateur.
• Modifiers: Have a reflector on the opposite side of the flash to bounce light to gently fill in shadow areas, especially under the chin and on the 'dark side'. A reflector can be any white item that can bounce light. I use Styrofoam boards that my new tables and desks came packaged in for this, and I suppose bedsheets work just as well. Consider experimenting with 'warmer' filters one or two of the flashes, or maybe on the lens if you're outside.
• Quality Issues: Be sure there's no distractions, or unnecessary junk in the background, including power sockets, personal affects, and even clothing tags. Plan it, so everything that you see through the lens is there, because it needs to be.
• Lights: Some high-end amateurs consider making do with thousands of watts of hardware store fluorescent lighting, but in my experience, you'll still have blurred subjects. You really do need to use studio flashes as these 'freeze' the subject, just because of the lower shutter speed and higher flash speed. I make do with a single 800watt flash and a reflector. It's the cheapest and most effective set up money can buy. Using 400watts might possibly be enough, but getting 1200watts will give you lots more flexibility. See more on this point in the Mini Studios article.
• Advice: This kind of photography calls on the photographer to be completely respectful to his or her model. The model is being put in a vulnerable position, as you know what you will do with the pictures, and the model cannot ever be 100% sure. Give your model a space to get changed; yes, do offer some privacy. Also, be sure the space is gently warm and comfortable. This is also tiring for the model, so keep him or her in good spirits, offer drinks and snacks, lunch and things. Have the site set up and ready so the model can walk in and be photographed immediately; waiting is boring, a waste of time and money. Tell your model that you'll do some test shots to calibrate your equipment for his or her skin tones; adjust things and move lights and camera around and try different angles. Whilst you're doing this, your model is relaxed and not feeling under any pressure, but in the meantime, you're getting the shots you really want.
• Also see: Buying Photos (from the buyers perspective), Mini studios; Rejections and Technical Problems, Common Mistakes, and How to User Your SLR.

Click on these to view them at a larger size

	< F11, 1/125, iso100; 18-70mm lens. 800watt flash
	< F11, 1/125, iso100; 18-70mm lens. 800watt flash. Notice the soft shadows. A reflector was used to help fill these in.
We especially recommend this particular book, Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photography. It has some great advice and ideas, as well as all the basic techniques. Also check out how to pose.

Also see this gallery for more examples