How to Photograph Women in Nature

Ecofeminism is an activist and academic movement that sees critical connections between the domination of nature and the exploitation of women….

– Lois Ann Lorentzen, University of San Francisco, and Heather Eaton, Saint Paul University 

The main impression we wanted to associate our shots with was one with a slightly moody vibe. Through this blog, we will show you how to capture the vulnerable side of women in nature, while incorporating different photographic techniques in your photographs.

Part I: Photography Process & Tips

Step 1: Choose a location to set the mood

Decide on a location with a diversity of natural elements (e.g. grassland, rocks, and water).  Picking a quiet place would be apt, as managing disruption by human traffic can be distracting and time-consuming. Ensure that the location is accessible. Check the weather forecast in advance to avoid any unexpected surprises.

In our case, we had decided on Coney Island, which included a myriad of flora and fauna, as well as several beaches surrounding the island. We also ventured to Guilin Hill for scenery mirroring that of China’s landscapes.

Coney Island

Little Guilin

Step 2: Choosing models and sign a model release

Taking time to choose your models will enhance the mood of your shots. Their faces should have strong features, yet able to hold a slightly melancholic and troubled expression.

Signing a model release form would ensure that the models have agreed to let you use their performance and ensure their commitment to the shoot.

Step 3: Find a makeup artist 

Makeup is crucial in bringing out certain themes and colour. Finding an experienced makeup artist comfortable with a multitude of colour schemes and makeup looks will lend deeper meaning to your model’s look.

If it helps, searching online in advance for makeup look examples will give your makeup artist an idea of how you want your model to look. Brighter tones should be used to help your model stand out by contrasting against duller settings. In line with our theme, we picked out a few pictures for inspiration to effectively express our theme through colours.

It is imperative that you decide the intensity of the makeup to effectively bring out the mood of the shoot.

“Tired Eyes”. This look conveys the pent-up frustration of women due to their suppressed emotions.

Step 4: Gather your props 

The props can also act as subjects during the shoot. As such, it is important that your props are consistent with the theme. Our advice would be to use items which carry deep significance, such as a rose which symbolises timelessness and beauty. It may be a good idea to pick brighter colors to contrast against your chosen background, depending on your theme. This juxtaposition will particularly help to convey your ideal tone and mood.

We chose bright pink and red roses to set a stark contrast and juxtapose the dark tones we have. The rose also symbolises timelessness and beauty.

Step 5: Consider a specific angle and perspective

Alternating between perspectives, angles and shot types would be more engaging, giving your viewer a bigger picture of the theme you are communicating.

There are multiple types of angles that we can incorporate. The main ones include high angle, low angle, eye level and dutch angle. Different angles may convey different effects. A dutch angle will allow your photograph to be more active, and a photograph taken from a high angle can show fear and intimidation.

There are also a variety of perspectives, of which consist of first, second and third points-of-view.

The Dutch Tilt “can be used for dramatic effect and helps portray unease, disorientation, frantic or desperate action, intoxication, madness, etc,” writes MediaCollege.

Shooting from a lower angle makes the subject look strong and powerful.

2nd person point-of-view, combined with the use of shallow depth, isolates your subject to convey an aloof emotion.

Step 6: Think about your subject’s pose

In order to fit the theme, it is advisable for the models to have a neutral expression, not being overly expressive.

The type of pose can have multiple functions. It can be used to convey a story, or bring dynamic to a photograph.

This “back hug” pose brings out the weakness in women and how women are often deemed to be in need of security and comfort.

Step 7: Determine framing and composition

Framing emphasizes your photo, helping to draw your viewer’s eye towards the focus of the photo. Keep an eye out for the different natural frames available, including light, shadow, nature itself, and reflective surfaces such as still waters.

Avoid placing your subject against similar-colored backgrounds, which may unintentionally merge with your subject.

The prism used creates a reflective surface that acts as a frame.

Step 8: Focus on the subject’s eyes

Capturing catchlight in your subject’s eyes accentuates any front-facing photo, relaying a sense of life into the photo and giving more dimension to your subject. Using side light at an angle of 45 degrees or tilting your subject’s head will help with this.

 

Capturing catchlight in your subject’s eyes accentuates any front-facing photo

Step 9: Capture meaningful action

In order to capture the right moment, ensure that your model is ready.

In this picture, the models were still adjusting themselves, and were not ready for the photograph.

Mere seconds later. we managed to capture the image of them we desired.

Step 10: Post-edit for a better photograph

You’ve given your all to the photo shoot, and now it’s time to sort through your photo roll. Keep an eye on photos which can have more impact after being edited, such as those that have good technique but are distracting due to unwanted to colours, cropping out unnecessary areas or adjusting the tone.

Before editing, the greens on the trees were saturated and it was conflicting with what we initially tried to convey.

After editing, the color contrast is further emphasized and the vulnerability can be felt through the picture. The subjects are much more prominent and can be differentiated from the background.

 

Part II: Exploring Photography Skill

1. Playing with Speed – Freeze and Blur Motion

Making the shutter speed (e.g. 1/500) faster will freeze a moving object.  However, the shutter opening and closing faster will reduce the amount of light entering the camera. This may result in darker pictures.

Conversely, slowing down the shutter speed (e.g. 1 second) will blur a moving object. The amount of light entering the camera may increase, and as such the pictures will be brighter. For long exposure, it will be good to have a tripod or something steady to support the camera, as hand movements may result in blurry pictures.

Using exposure compensation in S mode will allow you to achieve the desired brightness.

Blur motion: 1/15 seconds

Freeze motion: 1/320 seconds

2. Playing with Depth

Allowing depth in your images gives a more three-dimensional feel. This also engages the viewer, allowing them to explore more of the photograph. Including a foreground interest, or using leading lines helps to create depth in your photos, conveying different emotions in your photos.on

A shallow depth of field (f-stop 2.8) isolates and brings attention to your subject. Everything else in the foreground and background will be out of focus. This is suitable for portraits and people photography.

A greater depth of field (f-stop 8.0) allows more elements in your photograph to be in focus. This will be useful for taking pictures of landscapes.

The amount of light (exposure) passing through may also be affected, thus affecting the brightness of the image. Once again, exposure compensation in A mode will allow you to achieve the desired brightness.

Shooting in wide shot establishes the subjects’ surroundings, which it conveys a certain tone. In this case, it implies their isolation and doubt.

A higher aperture isolates the subject.

3. Playing with Space and Proportion

Although filling the frame would be usually advised to display details of your subject, experimenting with space can convey more meaning and allow more breathing space.

Negative space is the space around and between the subject(s) of an image. Having lesser elements in the negative space would create greater contrast with the subject(s). Allowing more negative space would create an impression of isolation and emptiness.

Giving your subject(s) ample space to move and look would allow more breathing space, and the picture would be easier to look at as well.

 

Negative space adds a sense of loneliness and despair. At first glance, it “lessens” our subjects, makes them smaller, seemingly drowns them in empty space.

The vastness of the ocean is amplified through the use of negative space; conveying a sense of longing.

4. Playing with Light and Shadows

Like in movies, different types of lighting can be used to convey different moods.

Lighting Ratio plays a key role in conveying the desired mood to your photo. The typical ratios are 1:1 (low key lighting), and 16:1 (high-key lighting).

High-key lighting helps to create a chiaroscuro effect, making your photo more dramatic. Whereas low-key lighting evens skin tones and suggests an upbeat mood.

There are two different qualities of light: hard light and soft light.

Hard light uses a strong level of light, creating a high contrast between dark and light areas. This creates long and deep shadows with hard edges. Midday under direct sunlight or direct lighting from a light source creates hard light.

Soft light uses a low-level of light, creating a low contrast between dark and light areas. This will result in a lack of shadows. This can be achieved by diffused light.

Front light shines directly in front of the subject. This will allow even distribution of light, but this may result in your subject’s face looking flat.

Side light from the nose of your subject can come from 90 degrees or 45 degrees. Partial shadow will bring a more dramatic effect, adding depth and form.

Back light shines from the back of the subject. It highlights the outline of the subject and will differentiate the subject from the background. A nice silhouette may form, but capturing the details of your subject’s face may be difficult. If used with front light, will create an alternative effect that is interesting.

 

The model’s face is framed by the shadow of the leaves.

Side light from the nose of the model will only illuminate a portion of her face. Hard light creates long and deep shadows with hard edges.

5. Dramatic Perspective

Dramatic perspective is the distortion of foreground and background subjects, to allow foreground subjects to increase in size, and appear much bigger than the background subjects.

Using a larger f-stop is required.

We hope that these tips have better equipped you with skills needed for photography! Keep shooting and you’ll gradually improve and find your style.

A Final Photography Project for Mass Communication’s Digital Photography module by

Chia Laura. Chloe Ang. Chong Ya Hui. Denyse Tan.

School of Film & Media Studies

Ngee Ann Polytechnic