Lighting How To

We all strive to capture photos in which the primary subject of a scene is full of detail and properly exposed. Today, however, you'll learn a different approach whereby the subject is shy on detail but full of drama and impact.

Street photography is a popular genre that relies upon many of the same techniques that are so familiar for shooting landscapes, cityscapes, environmental portraiture and other outdoor imagery. It’s also an accessible fallback when you can't travel far from home because most of us have a nearby city or town where numerous photo opportunities abound.

Last week we featured a quick primer from the Patrick's Boudoir YouTube channel, demonstrating how inexperienced shooters can capture alluring high-contrast images with a minimum of fuss. Patrick is back again today, this time with a quick tutorial using a seductive kneeling couch pose illuminated by window light.

This three-minute tutorial from Patrick's Boudoir Photography is designed for those new to the genre as well as for more experienced shooters interesting in trying a unique, simple, and alluring approach. All you need is a model, your camera, and a room with a window. In other words, no complicated lighting equipment, accessories, and the like.

Last month we featured a beginners guide to boudoir photography without flash—using nothing more that window light and a simple backdrop or plain white wall. Instructor Yuliya Panchenko is back with another tutorial today for creating a totally different look that really grabs attention.

There are two primary reasons that some photographers avoid supplemental light when shooting outdoors. One is that they simply prefer the look of natural light imagery—and in most cases we tend to agree. On the other hand, there are those who refuse to use even the most basic speedlight because they don’t understand how it works.

Many photographers would like to shoot boudoir photos of their spouse or significant other, but don't own a studio with expensive lighting gear. And even if they borrowed all the "required" accoutrements, they wouldn't know where to start.