The Round Blog

Boudoir Stories: Ernesta Von Obap

"A boudoir is a lady's private bedroom, sitting room or dressing room." [1]

Ernesta posing in front of a low window, allowing the photo to play with contrasts

In our quest to explore different types of photography, Fabiana and I have decided to try something new. Mixing our love for location photography and Fabiana's natural talent for shooting lingerie, we decided to try a session of Boudoir Photography. The need of studying the environment and the way you can use it to frame a great image, using both available and small flash to convey the interest and the attention to the details is something that need some thinking. It is much more interesting than a white seamless! A "boudoir" is a lady's private bedroom, sitting room or dressing room and the photography associated to it is linked to a warm environment where the lady cam be framed in her own environment, dressed in a sensual way. I have seen quite few realisation of Boudoir, some absolutely fantastic, some others tasteless, but the idea is to portray a woman, not in a glamorous or erotic way. It emphasise the aesthetic qualities of the subject and, in my opinion, it is an art. After having tried it, I have to say that it is not the easier type of photography, it requires a complete trust between photographer and model and is very much orientated on the psychology more than on the photography itself. It is an interesting style and in recent years it has open new markets in the visual business.

You have to use the location you have as best as you can: with a frosted glass in the bathroom the possibilities are endless

For this attempt we worked with Ernesta Von Obap. Despite having found her on a modelling website, in her profile she states that, despite the fact that she poses in front of a camera, she does not feel a "Model". She value the word very much and this was one of the things that hit me a lot. As I expected, though, Ernesta is a much better model that many we have used so far. She models to train her to be in front of a camera for a future project of hers, which details will be hers to say, but I can tell you that not only she knew how to take direction and move her body. Kudos to her!

Ernesta had a terrific relation with the camera. She trusted us and the result are well visible

For this project we decided, together with Ernesta, to go for Black and White.

Location, Location, Location. When the model is at her ease with the photos you are taking you have to make the most out of your environment

So, what do you think? Do you think Fabiana and I could have some future in Boudoir photography?

Burning some parts of a photo, giving it the feeling of infinite light, even when outside is a gloomy day. This has been shot with just natural light

Careful with mirrors: they can be fantastic allies as terrible enemies: Avoid keeping yourself in the reflection and while editing a photo, remember to edit the reflection as well

I would have never thought she had accepted, but when we asked Ernesta if she was willing to jump in front of a high window well above the ground she said: Fantastic Idea!

Do you have light? Do you have a body? Then shape them and play with the shadows.

Boudoir Photography is about the person you are photographing, about psychology more than anything else

Comments

  1. Published 04/03/2010 09:34

    Excellent series.. ( purely as a personal preference I much prefer your location shots as opposed to straight studio shots they are far more creative for me) :-) ))

  2. Published 04/03/2010 09:35

    this is a really good idea …. love the baroque feelings here and the management of light !


    Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)

  3. Published 04/03/2010 09:52

    Just WOAW !!

  4. Published 04/03/2010 09:53

    stunning series – the challenge of lighting portraiture in front of a window is one that interests me – I must try a full studio set up some time, but lack the motivation as it would be just an execise

  5. Published 04/03/2010 10:01

    carlo, that’s beautiful, man… the light outlining her skin is divine.

  6. Published 04/03/2010 10:06

    molto bella ..complimenti

  7. Published 04/03/2010 10:50

    Nice bw photo.
    Thank you your share.
    Gergo

    Seen in my contacts’ photos. ( ?² )

  8. Published 04/03/2010 10:52

    nice light study……

    website facebook twitter view black

  9. Published 04/03/2010 12:17

    beautiful! I suspect Fabiana controls the environment well, a woman’s touch.

    Is this the "little round studio" we talked about? if so – I am lovin the window and suspect we will see that more often!

  10. Published 04/03/2010 12:52

    Great compo & beautiful light…

  11. Published 04/03/2010 01:27

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called The Inspiring Photograph, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

    an exotic beauty, great light, great shot

  12. Published 04/03/2010 01:37

    wow! nice work on this carlo

  13. Published 04/03/2010 02:00

    mi piace moltissimo tutta la serie, bravi!


    Seen on your photo stream. (?)

  14. Published 04/03/2010 02:10

    wow!


    Seen in my contacts’ photos. (?)

  15. Published 04/03/2010 02:18

    Awesome! Love the heels and the backlight on this one.

  16. Published 04/03/2010 02:24

    you play very well with natural light, respect :-) bravo

  17. Published 04/03/2010 03:55

    wonderful shot!

  18. Published 04/03/2010 05:36

    The management of light is spectacular, giving a bit of mystery to the model face.

  19. Published 04/03/2010 06:45

    Congratulations, your photo has been chosen as a Curators Choice image that exemplifies fine photography "Curators Choice" in the Inspiring Photograph Group.


    Seen in the group"The Inspiring Photograph" (?)

  20. Published 04/03/2010 07:52

    The shots in the blog are AMAZING !!
    Agree with Michael, your location pictures are the best, I do prefer those ones over the studio ones!
    Well Done guys!

  21. Published 04/03/2010 08:56

    This shot along with the ones on your blog came out amazing.

  22. Published 07/03/2010 09:31

    It’s really nice to see the two of you take flight like this. Consistently good studio work.
    And some mean pasta, too. ;-)

  23. Published 08/03/2010 10:40

    superb!!

    Your fantastic black and white picture is my winner!
    Please add this photo to
    Black and White Photo Award

  24. Published 08/03/2010 05:02

    :) ) what a beauty…

    Welcome…

    Your Portrait has Class! I saw this photo in Classy Portraits. Thank you for adding it to the group!

    feel free to add it in our b&w portrait contest thread!!

  25. Published 08/03/2010 04:35

    Hi, I’m an admin for a group called Classy Portraits – Contest Open!!!, and we’d love to have this added to the group!

  26. Published 15/03/2010 02:11

    nice lightning!!

  27. Published 16/03/2010 01:36

    Wonderful! Great use of natural light.

    Seen on your photo stream. (?)

  28. chloe
    Published 27/03/2010 23:53

    I absolutely love these photos. brilliant. :-)

  29. Published 16/04/2010 02:47

    Wow, stunning!

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