Bodyscape photography is a unique way to transform the human form into abstract, artistic expressions. By focusing on contours, lighting, and subtle details, you can create striking images that blend mystery and art with minimal equipment.
Coming to you from Ed Verosky, this insightful video simplifies the process of creating bodyscapes, breaking it down into easy steps that anyone can follow. Verosky explains the essence of bodyscapes: they highlight portions of the human form in a way that can feel abstract or even landscape-like. While similar to figure photography, bodyscapes often obscure the human identity, emphasizing curves and light instead. Verosky shows how you can use simple gear and creative lighting to achieve dramatic results.
The video recommends using a standard camera and lens, ideally between 50mm and 85mm, for clear framing and sharp details. For lighting, Verosky highlights the versatility of a single light source paired with modifiers like a gridded strip box or softbox. These tools allow you to control light direction and spill, essential for achieving the high-contrast, low-key aesthetic that defines bodyscapes. The importance of working in a private, comfortable space is also stressed, ensuring the model feels at ease throughout the shoot.
Lighting angles are critical in bodyscape photography. Verosky demonstrates how rim lighting, achieved by placing the light behind and to one side of the subject, creates deep shadows and highlighted contours. For standing poses, rotating the model and experimenting with light placement lets you highlight different parts of the form. For horizontal poses, the light is repositioned above and behind the subject, producing similar effects with a slight variation in perspective.
Post-processing plays a significant role in refining bodyscape images. Verosky suggests starting with black-and-white conversion to emphasize contrast and textures. Cropping and rotating during editing can transform standing shots into horizontal compositions and vice versa. Adjustments to highlights, shadows, and midtones help fine-tune the dramatic look of the images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Verosky.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
