By Joel Shore • May 22, 2014
Opinion: Want to shoot nudes? Then this isn’t the book for you. But, if it’s classic, stimulating sensuality that you seek; artful, yet edgy photographs that stand the test of time, Jessica Lark’s newest book, “Elegant Boudoir Photography,” is the one you must have.
Story: Jessica Lark is smart, really smart. She knows that boudoir photography is about sensuousness, mood, yearning, desire, craving, passion, infatuation, ardor, anticipation, opulence, sumptuousness, and splendor. And maybe a few more that don’t immediately come to mind. She especially knows that it isn’t about sex. Sex and sexuality, after all, aren’t even remotely the same thing. She knows that explicit is out and seductive is in. If there’s a key message Lark works hard to convey, it’s this: What’s left covered in lace, conjured up only in the mind’s eye of the beholder, is an aphrodisiac far more potent than any blatant nude can ever hope to be.
Understand what this book is not. It is not about how to use your camera. It’s not about shutter speeds, apertures, and ISO settings. It’s not about speedlights or studio strobes or softboxes. This is the book you turn to after you’ve become comfortable enough with you gear to practically operate everything by auto-reflex. And it’s certainly not about the mundane task of reminding you to make sure your subject signs a model release.
What you get here are chapters about boudoir set decoration, styling, wardrobe, posing, lighting, and methods for achieving different types of sensuality and a variety of photographic moods. You learn how arching the back can make any subject beautiful. It’s all about revealing the spirit more so than revealing the body.
You’ll learn how to craft dressing and shooting spaces for sensual appeal, how to use scent and sound to transport the subject from her reality into yours, how to design sumptuous sets, and how to light for flattering images.
A key part of the book’s value lies in its hundreds of photos, all of which are exquisite and many of which seem like a step back to another era and sensibility. Wisely, these aren’t all shots that are perfect. Lark shows what looks good and what doesn’t — and she takes the time to explain why. Where other boudoir photographers show you how great their work is, Lark demonstrates techniques to help make your work great. Where other photographers lecture you, Lark is your pal, inviting you to join her and explore together.
If there’s one thing I miss, it’s accompanying wide shots that show each set-up in the context of Lark’s shooting space and the positioning of lights and lighting modifiers. That would be a welcome addition for a future second edition or as added online content.
With a suggested price of just $27.95 (a bargain for a photography book), “Elegant Boudoir Photography” is an affordable investment that will help the reticent overcome their shyness about shooting boudoir scenes and push those more experienced to stretch their comfort zones and achieve new levels of sensuality. This book has earned a place on my bookshelf.
This is a really useful review. You've persuaded my to buy this book. Wish me luck!
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