Flattering Lighting

Designer to the stars and our resident blogger, Mark Cutler, writes the guide to setting the mood and flattering your figure with lighting

Written by Mark Cutler

Movie stars and celebs have known this for decades. Looking good naked isn't just about the body you have; it's all about presentation. The setting, certainly the pose, but most importantly, it's all about the lighting! So to help you out I have scoured my old files and also found some new ideas that just might help. But first, here are some general principles you may want to look for:

1. Harsh lighting is never going to help. Wherever possible look for lighting that provides a soft, diffused light throughout the room. Harsh shadows are not your friend!

2. Maybe you want to consider switching to a lower wattage bulb or even one with a soft blush tint (very flattering for skin tones).

3. Another way to soften the light is to take a look at the shade. A very clear white shade is going to give you a very clear white light, so consider perhaps an opaque shade that only throws light up or down, or a deeper colored shade that will filter the light and create a soft cast.

4. One last thing to consider is where the light is coming from. Level with your face is ideal, so a table or standing lamp will serve your purpose well. You may want to consider using several points of light to even out the shadows and to provide a soft glow throughout the room.

 

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