Matt Granger – Intimate Portraiture v2.0

HOTEL

Shooting in a hotel is a common choice for beginners as it provides a private space which often contains useful design features. The cramped space and mixed lighting can be challenging – in this shoot I work through these issues, showing how you can create a range of images using available light, small speedlight flashes, and continuous lights.

We shoot in the bed, window frame, lounge as well as in the shower and bath tub. I run through a series of poses that are great for first time models, as well as more advanced and revealing poses.

BEACH

Shooting outdoors in a public place presents unique challenges and opportunities. In this sunrise shoot we had a male and female model, what we shot individually and as a couple. As well as demonstrating poses and lighting techniques to deal with the rapidly changing light conditions, I talk through the best way to scout locations & shoot publicly to minimise disruptions and interruptions. In this shoot we use available light, reflections, speedlights and a variety of modifiers including softboxes.

HOME

Shooting at home can be a great as it is a comfortable and familiar location for the subject. However it can also be cramped and difficult to find pleasing backgrounds for your images. Here I run through a variety of poses and locations to shoot, demonstrating how to balance indoor and outdoor lighting, how to make high key images easily, and how you can reveal and conceal using posing and lighting.

STUDIO

In this comprehenisve hour long segment we run through several techniques to create dynamic images using simple equipment. We use speedlights, studio strobes, black and white backgrounds & a range of modifiers. You will learn flattering poses to hide problem areas and dynamic poses that yield fantastic results. We also demonstrate the use of baby oil and water beads to add texture and depth to the images.

FOREST

In our final hour long segment, we head to a forrest to create some beautiful Intimate Portraits in nature. This shoot took place during harsh afternoon sun, giving us the opportunity to show light softening and modifying techniques. Here we augment, overpower, soften and fill in the available light to get the amount of shadowing desired. We also talk through posing, angles and finding backgrounds that will yield beautiful results.

DARKER SKIN TONES

In this shoot we head to a designer hotel room to shoot with a model with darker complexion and large natural breasts. Here I demonstrate techniques for maximising the dynamic range of your camera, how to get skin tones correctly exposed without over or under exposing other parts of the scene. We also run through a series of different poses seated, standing and lying in bed that create vastly different results when working with large natural breasts.

PLUS SIZE MODEL

In our final shoot I am joined by a size 14 model (us12 Euro44). We shoot in the home and outdoors, demonstrating different poses that are flattering for a full body shape. We work with available light and also create studio quality light setups using just a single manual flash. We also head outside to work with pools of light and shadow for dramatic environmental nude portraits.

YOU DON’T NEED THE MOST EXPENSIVE GEAR TO CREATE AMAZING IMAGES.

Matt shows you how to evaluate the available light, and what your options are. Some shoots are completed with just available light, others using cheap manual flashes, reflectors, diffusers and through to more expensive studio equipment.

Matt explains the gear used in each shoot, as well as his top tips for that environment and style of nude portraiture.