8 techniques to create depth of field in boudoir photography
A Guide To Capturing Stylistic, Dimensional Photos In An Empty Space.
Film Noir Boudoir Photography Course | Yuliya Panchenko
Shooting in an empty room might feel intimidating because there is no dimension, no depth, no colors, no furniture, it’s hard to make a composition. In an empty room we don't have any foreground and background to work with, and in general images might look flat. However, if we think outside the box we can achieve really creative, dimensional, and stylistic photos even in an empty space. So for this shoot, we moved to a completely empty room with our model Hannah to show techniques on how to create depth of field in an empty room.
Technique 1: Creating a Blurry Background
Using a shallow depth of field and blurring the background actually helps to create a better sense of dimension in a photo. So we shoot wide open, set aperture to a low f/stop and move our subject away from the wall. This technique helps separate our subject from the background by making our background blurry which adds a sense of depth to our image.
Subject BY the wall
The image is flat, no sense of depth, and there is a shadows on the wall.
Subject AWAY from the wall
More dimension in the image. Even though the background is flat, it is blurry.
Technique No.2: Adding Foreground
The second way to establish depth in the image is by creating dimension, which is achieved by adding foreground in our images. This is kind of challenging in an empty room, so using a prism to create a unique photo effect would be a great tool in this type of environment.
Technique No.3: Creating a Background
In this image, because we are limited to a white wall in the background, we created an artificial background by holing a textured metal sheet in front of the light. By doing this, we created textured shadows behind the subject. Adding the background helps us to separate the subject from the wall and create depth in the image.
Boudoir Photography Course | Yuliya Panchenko
Technique No.4: Adding Contrast by the Use of Strong Shadows
This can be done by adding natural lines created by window’s blinds in the room or if you don't have any bright direct window light and no blinds you can always create it if you direct your light through blinds or some fabrics such as lace to create interesting patterns on a subject’s body or face. As you can see, an empty room has negative space, it is lacking contrast, and colors are muted in the room, so creating strong contrast with shadows will give us more visual weight and depth in the photo. High in contrast black and white style of images with strong shadows refers to Film Noir style and an empty room would be a perfect space to create these types of images.
Film Noir Boudoir Photography | Yuliya Panchenko
Film Noir Boudoir Photography | Yuliya Panchenko
Technique No. 5: Adding Rim light
Rim light is the highlight contours the subject. Rim light can be placed directly behind the subject or 45 degrees behind the subject to highlight the shoulder, neck, and hair.
In this image we used a side rim light, which is the highlight on the camera-left shoulder and hair.
Technique No.6: Adding Backlight
Adding backlight is a great technique to bring depth in the image. We can do this by placing the subject directly in front of the sun. In this image, we did not have an actual sun to come through the window, so we placed a constant tungsten light outside the room and pointed it at the window to create an artificial sun.
Boudoir Photography Course | Yuliya Panchenko
Technique No. 7: Adding Backlight and Foreground
In this image, we combined technique number 2 and 6 and to enhance the depth of field. In addition to the backlight, we added a flare in the foreground using a simple crystal prism, which can we achieved by any piece of crystal or even a glass. This is the most complete image because we have all three elements of Foreground, Middle ground, and Background that are necessary to create a Three-dimensional image. In addition, we have rim light on the camera-right shoulder that is created by the backlight. We also have separation from the background.
Boudoir Photography Course | Yuliya Panchenko
Technique No.8: Adding Contrast by the Use of Colors
I am personally not a big fan of using colored lights or gels in boudoir photography, but it definitely adds depth in the image. I rather have contrast of colors in the set design, but in this case, we are limited to an empty room with white walls. So our only solution to add colors in the image is by using artificial colored lights. In this image, we used color stage lights because that was the only thing we had. The key is to make sure that the colors are based on a color harmony. Here we are going with the complimentary color harmony and using two colors completely in opposite side of one another on the color wheel to maximize the contrast in the image.
Creative Boudoir Photography | Yuliya Panchenko
Another technique that helps convey a sense of depth in photography is light balance. This technique is widely used in cinematography. It is when a brighter side of the subject has a darker background and the darker side has a brighter background.
Depending on the size of a room, we can work with different frames: full body shot, medium or a closeup shot. When it comes to your composition, you definitely should take advantage of the negative space of a room and create some simple yet interesting shots that portray feelings and emotions.
If you don't have a studio but you have at least an empty room, you have so much to experiment with. Try all these techniques, be creative, think outside the box, experiment with lighting, prism, patterns and lines.
