At it’s most basic, photographic lighting theory consists of manipulating light in a way that will enable an idea to come to life. Typically, a photographer will use his mind to “pre-visualize” what he wants an image to look like. He can then make decisions regarding the type of lighting setup that will be most helpful in creating that image. Since no photographer in the world has access to every piece of lighting equipment available, photographers must be creative and improvisational to get the most out of whatever equipment they have.

Sometimes manipulating light for the benefit of your work can be as simple as getting up very early and shooting at sunrise. When doing nude photography, you will usually want the light to fall on the subject in a way that matches the type of image you’re trying to create. For example, very hard and directional lighting might be the perfect way to accent the hard-core feeling you’re looking for when shooting a dominatrix in a fetish-style setting. However, if you’re shooting a teen model with the intention of conveying a sense of youth and innocence, you might want to go with a softer, less directional light.

I believe that excellent images tend to be “consistent” images. By this, I mean that the overall look of the picture is consistent regarding the variables that are contained within the shot. For example, as I mentioned in the paragraph above, lighting should often be consistent with other aspects of the image. A sampling of these other aspects might be wardrobe, makeup, location, and the general appearance of the model. These factors need to be considered when planning a photograph.

An example of failing to do this – and a particular pet-peeve of mine – is photographing a model indoors wearing a swimsuit. I can see how this might occur – perhaps a photographer sets up a shoot at his location and asks the model to put on the skimpiest thing she has. Often, this will a swimsuit. The problem is, a swimsuit doesn’t fit the indoor setting and, consequently, the images can end up looking odd (and I don’t mean the interesting version of “odd”). In a setting of this type, a photographer would be better off having the model start off simply wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

At this time, I suggest you begin looking at photographs with a more discerning eye than you may be accustomed to. Study the work of photographers whose work appeals to you and ask yourself what factors make certain images more compelling than others. Study how the set is put together with lighting, wardrobe, location, poses, and so on. Not only is this a great way to learn, it will also give you ideas regarding what type of shoots you might like to try in the future. I discuss this topic in more detail in my ebook, “Money Shots: The Insider’s Guide to the World of Nude & Erotic Photography” (available at http://moneyshotsbook.com).

When you’re just starting out in photography, attempting to duplicate the work of others is often the best way to learn. By doing this, you will begin to understand the techniques that are required to produce specific images. This simple method holds true for all creative pursuits. As the saying goes, “You have to know the rules before you can break the rules.” Eventually, as you progress, your work will become increasingly unique and your personal style will emerge.

Author Bio: Michael Charles is a professional photographer based in Los Angeles, California. He is the author of \”Money Shots: The Insider\’s Guide to the World of Nude & Erotic Photography\” (this book is available for purchase at http://moneyshotsbook.com). For over a decade, Michael has shot exclusively in the world of nude, erotic, and adult-oriented photography. His work has been featured in hundreds of national and international publications and appears on a wide variety of prominent websites.

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