Jenny - Fitness Model

[Manfred M]

I spent the morning shooting Jenny, a competitive fitness model.

Rather than the usual approach when shooting female models, where soft and diffuse light is the norm, here I worked to get more edgy lighting that brought out the muscle tone. One of my favourite shots is this one that used two gelled lights; one red gel and one blue gel that were fitted int snoots to create hot and hard light sources.

The lights were positioned behind the model and no fill light was used.






I'm going to try to use set.a.light studio 3D to show the lighting setup used in this image

[Shadowman]

Usually fitness models are covered in oil for competitions, this is a nice alternative look that reveals the form just as effectively. Nicely captured.

[xpatUSA]

Excellent shot with the chosen lighting!

[Manfred M]

Usually fitness models are covered in oil for competitions, this is a nice alternative look that reveals the form just as effectively. Nicely captured.

She had her oil along, but never got around to using it.

From a photographic standpoint, I have definite feelings about the use of oil. It definitely changes the look of the model and accentuates the "hot" areas, so far more caution is required to ensure these areas do not blow out. Using a spray bottle of water to spray an oiled up model is also something that can be extremely effective visually as the water creates beautiful hot spots, especially if the model is reclining. This technique works well when doing body sculpting shots. Models prefer using warm water is the sprayer!

When I go for the oiled look, it is usually the last sequences of the shoot, as the model has wipe down and shower to get rid of the oil. There's no easy / short way going back to the non-oiled look once it has been applied . Models tend to be paid by the job or by the hour, so shower time during the shoot is not particularly cost effective.

The other issue with oil is that it can and does drip onto the studio floor and onto props and equipment. I've never slipped and fallen on areas where oil has dripped, but have spoken with photographers who have been less lucky...

[Shadowman]

She had her oil along, but never got around to using it.

From a photographic standpoint, I have definite feelings about the use of oil. It definitely changes the look of the model and accentuates the "hot" areas, so far more caution is required to ensure these areas do not blow out. Using a spray bottle of water to spray an oiled up model is also something that can be extremely effective visually as the water creates beautiful hot spots, especially if the model is reclining. This technique works well when doing body sculpting shots. Models prefer using warm water is the sprayer!

When I go for the oiled look, it is usually the last sequences of the shoot, as the model has wipe down and shower to get rid of the oil. There's no easy / short way going back to the non-oiled look once it has been applied . Models tend to be paid by the job or by the hour, so shower time during the shoot is not particularly cost effective.

The other issue with oil is that it can and does drip onto the studio floor and onto props and equipment. I've never slipped and fallen on areas where oil has dripped, but have spoken with photographers who have been less lucky...

Good information to know, another thing to consider is who applies to oil, either the model has her own attendant or the photographer needs an assistant.

[rpcrowe]

Nice capture... I am hoping to shoot some models tomorrow...

[Manfred M]

Good information to know, another thing to consider is who applies to oil, either the model has her own attendant or the photographer needs an assistance.

Or the photographer IS the assistant, so long as he or she has the model's okay and the means of cleaning up the oil on the hands, etc. before shooting.