Lighting Choices - Big Setups

Hi everyone. Ryder here. Welcome to all the new subscribers.

Some people say that photography is about light. That's true, but an over-simplification. Among other things, photography is also about the subject of the photograph. But light is a very important part, and the galleries of Torrid Art are no exception.

In issue 26 I mentioned that I use three categories of lighting for the galleries of Torrid Art: natural light, small setups and big setups. Which category of light I choose depends on my mood and how I envision each gallery. I try to include galleries with different types of setups for each model.

The two new photo sets in this issue are examples of my big setups with 4 or more lights. Big lighting setups look more erotic to me than small setups with one or two lights. The model's skin texture is more apparent, and she looks more "three dimensional."

My big setups typically have a "big" background with lots of space, whereas in a small setup the model is usually against a wall. I find that having lots of space behind the model adds to the interest and eroticism of the photo. But the big spaces in the background would be dark and uninviting if I didn't set up lights specifically for the backgrounds.

The three types of setups I use each has their advantages. I feel that using different setups for different galleries adds variety. But as important as lighting is to me, I have no trouble remembering that it is not the subject of my photographs. :-)

- RAP

For examples of a small lighting setup, see Aimee soft stones in issue 26.

New model - Shyla city limits
113 photos
Shyla is a beautiful "girl next door" and fit right in with this cozy location.

This is a big lighting setup with background space, four lights on Shyla and two on the background.

After taking a picture, each light (flash or studio strobe) takes up to 2 seconds to recharge. If I take the next picture too soon, one of the lights might not be completely recharged and the light from that flash might be dim.

Yes, I do that sometimes, and not on purpose! For example, in the bottom photo of Shyla, does the light look different? It is! I took this picture before one of the lights recharged, and its light was very dim. But don't you agree that the photo, though not exactly what I intended, looks great?

Shyla's model page at Torrid Art

New photo set - Aimee home from work
107 photos
I love women in office attire. To me, it's just more alluring than skimpy club clothes.

The emotional atmosphere of the office environment is about professionalism. But working closely with a beautiful woman in smart, practical office attire has its drawbacks. Some of those can be alleviated with galleries such as Aimee home from work. You can stare all you want!

I hope office workers everywhere will enjoy this gallery half as much as I enjoyed photographing it!

Newsletter #26 with more pictures of Aimee
Aimee's model page at Torrid Art

Torrid Art - Not the biggest, not the "best on the web"
Torrid Art is a hand-crafted website featuring the work of a single photographer. We are not big. We don't update every day. We don't have the "best on the web" of anything. We just have some really good, original stuff.

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