The
second set up for this third sitting with Barbara is all about
hands. Hands are the second most expressive part of a body.
The idea here was to follow Barbara's hands as they move around her
body. We used simple, soft lighting to highlight Barbara's radiant
skin.
One of Barbara's assignments for this sitting was to
bring something meaningful to hold. You see one of her choices in
the image on the left. Barbara is an artist in her own right, and
she is holding something she created out of found materials -- a rusted
piece of metal, some small rocks, and some wire. I love the
crumbly texture of the metal against the smooth texture of the
rocks. Give it some directional lighting, and that's a fine piece
of art.
On the right, Barbara holds a river
stone from my back yard. It is a contrast to her art piece -- the
river stone is unrefined & basic. I like both in contrast to her
smooth skin. I'm not sure I like these pictures together, but I like
each of these similar images.
Here's an example of what
a good model can do. We made the image on the left
first. As we worked, Barbara understood the concept of these
images. When we got to making the image on the right, Barbara
enhanced the concept by showing me some poses consistent with the
objectives. She reached her right hand behind her and allowed me a
peek at her fingers on the inside of her left elbow. It is a subtle
thing, but this is what an experienced model can do -- working within the
concept, Barbara was able to extend the idea & show me more.
You
know, a technique I use for doing portraits is giving subject something
to hold in their hands. It does wonders in settling people
down.
Barbara & I made a few exposures of her holding this luckiest of
rocks.
We
put down the stone.
I
don't photograph backs as much as I should. Backs can be
lovely.
The funny thing about photographing nudes is this -- most people will
look at images like this & see someone's back. I (as a
photographer) look at the light. Photography is all about light --
where it comes from, where it is reflected, where the shadows fall,
etc. That's what I like about this image.
The
second set up for this third sitting with Barbara is all about
hands. Hands are the second most expressive part of a body.
The idea here was to follow Barbara's hands as they move around her
body. We used simple, soft lighting to highlight Barbara's radiant
skin.
You
know, a technique I use for doing portraits is giving subject something
to hold in their hands. It does wonders in settling people
down. 
We
put down the stone.
I
don't photograph backs as much as I should. Backs can be
lovely. 
More
back. More light.