Betcee Comes Clean

I often use this shower for nude photography. I like it a lot:

There automatically is an intimate feel to these images.
We can get the model wet without causing a mess.
It's a challenge because the space is tight.
Because of the tight space, we get to use the super wide angle lens setting on the digital camera, and that can be fun.
It's probably unlike any other posing the model is likely to have done.

Because of that wide angle distortion, Betcee looks like she's all leg. Yummy.

So, when faced with wide-angle distortion, I find that it's best to embrace it. Besides, the images are fun & interesting.

I've often stated that I like using a tripod because I can set everything up & then watch the model and not the camera to choose when to release the shutter. But the space in the shower is too cramped to allow the tripod, and it's fun to move in & out, creating wide angle distortion. The downside is that I don't always hold the camera perfectly horizontal or vertical, but I did pretty good here.

I don't think I could work in the shower without being able to use the pivoting & tilting LCD screen to compose images. This is a good example -- I don't think I would be able to get my head behind the camera to compose this image. There are better digital camera out there, but until a DSLR can use its LCD screen to compose images, I think I'm going to be stuck with these advanced point & shoot cameras.

It's warm there in the shower. The entire bathroom has its own thermostat with under floor heating. Since the floor is stone tiles, that heat is just intoxicating. There's nothing like getting up in the morning & walking onto those warm stones in your bare feet. So, I tend to keep the bathroom toasty warm, which is a good thing when dealing with a nude model.

I usually start working with the model when she is dry, but eventually, we get the model wet. While the water is warm, most models will get chilled eventually, sitting around being wet. So, we have to wet the model down often, if only to keep her warm.

There definitely something sexy about a model with wet hair.

Here's another attempt to utilize the wide angle distortion, this time with Betcee leaning in towards the camera. I like it.

Here's another favorite. Betcee looks lovely.

I think what makes these images work especially well is that this time, I've kept the camera low. Here, it's only a couple of inches above the Betcee's knees, and with Betcee towering over the camera, it just looks great.

So, like I said, the success of the previous images is due, in large part, to the low angle of the camera. So, sometimes, it pays to try the opposite. Here, I position the camera high, looking down on Betcee.

What do you think? I think I like the low angle images the best.

I didn't like the "photographed from above" image with Betcee on the bench, so I place her on the floor.

The light is different, but it's very nice. I didn't hold the camera exactly vertical, but that's not a big deal. I'm just not sure about the high camera angle.

I lower the camera a bit (and hold it straighter), and I like the result. I also like the cropping, including a bit more of the pebbled floor that looks good when wet. This image just wouldn't be the same if I had cropped out much of the floor.

I invite Betcee back onto the bench for a few more images, but I get the sense that Betcee is starting to get chilled. It's difficult to sit around being wet with wet hair. Betcee doesn't complain, but I can tell she's cold.

Comfort is very important to me. My primary objective for each & every sitting is that I want the model to leave willing to work with me again.

So, shortly after this exposure was made, we call it a day.

Betcee is a terrific model & is a joy to be around. She looks great, she moves great, and she is inspiring. Fellow photographers: check her travel schedule & if the opportunity arises, jump on the chance to work with her.

On the first page, I challenged the frequent & observant visitors to this site to see if you can detect something subtly different with this sitting. Did you get it? Answer: this is the first sitting in a long time where I didn't utilize my favorite canvas backdrop.