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Try Nude Photography!
Posted by Shuttercraft • 5/30/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: Nude
A challenging art-form, nude photography allows for a level of intimacy with your subject that can be intimidating to most. If you want to get into nude photography and you do not know where to start, then grab a Heineken and sit back because this is for you!
The nude human form, both male and female, has been forever inspiring to the artist throughout time. To me there is not a more interesting photo subject in the world then people. When I take pictures of people I have a much more personal connection to the subject then I could possibly achieve with any other kind of subject. Take that to the next level with nude photography and you will find yourself in a whole other world of creative challenges.
In this post we will go over five main subjects-
- Finding A Model
- Location, Location, and Location!
- Get it Together (plan)
- Striking A Pose
- Releases
Finding A Model-
This can be hard for most just getting into nude photography. The modern world’s paranoia about nudity has gave many people the mindset that posing nude in front of a camera is kinda taboo. It is perfectly understandable why someone would be nervous about letting you take photos of them in such a vulnerable and exposed state.
You have a few good options when trying to find a model. You could just hire a professional model that will do anything you need (well almost anything) the thing is this is going to cost you a fortune! One good way to find a model on the cheap is a online agency like One Model Place, You could find a amateur models here that could work out for your needs. Some people try to use a wife or girlfriend (or husband / boyfriend). I would not recommend this because things tend to get a little messy in situations such as that. If you have a basic portfolio and something to represent yourself like a business card, things will be easier when trying to talk someone into modeling for you.
Location, Location, and Location-
After finding a model the next step is picking out the right location. Most of the time you will be shooting indoors for the privacy. When finding a location for the shoot you will need to watch out for a few things.
- Heating
Make sure the location is warm enough for someone to be naked. It would be hard for the model to relax in a cold room, and you need her as relaxed as possible.
- Dressing Area
I know what you are thinking, "they need a dressing room for getting naked?". A dressing room is important because it gives them a privet place to undress and get ready for the shoot. This will make the model less nervous.
- Privacy
Make sure you find a location that has enough privacy. Large windows should have curtains.
Get it Together-
After finding the model and the location some people make the mistake of just jumping head first into the shoot. The last thing you want on a nude photo shoot is to look like you are winging it. This will make you look unprofessional and will make the model nervous. Have a good plan ready before the shoot. A good thing to do is to find some inspirational nude photography and print it out for reference during the shoot.
If you have a good plan you will make better photos, it is that simple. I am not saying that you can not experiment a little, it is just important to have everything together for things to go smoothly.
Striking A Pose-
When planing for the shots try to come up with some original ideas of your own. You can even make a storyboard of the shots you want to get. When you take pictures of nude women you should try to capture the beauty of there curves. The curves of a woman's body is what makes it different from a mans. There is a fine line that separates art form smutty porn! You should be able to tell the difference from a shot that is pornographic and a shot that is artful. Match a good pose with some quality lighting and you will make some good pictures!
Releases-
Releases are so important in a situation such as nude photography. A proper model release cans save you big money or even time in jail! To be safe before you do any shooting you will need to get your model to sign a release. I would not recommend going to a lawyer to get a model release done for you.
Here is a good site if you want to learn about how model releases work and on getting one. www.danheller.com
Have Fun!
Nude photography can be a fun and rewarding experience!
Practice And Enjoy
User Comments
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I think the biggest advice I would give a photographer is they align themselves with a professional photography club/organization. Even amateur models who do time for print want to be assured the photographer has legit connections, has earned a good reputation in the photography community, and is willing to post referral info to other models that have posed for him/her. My daughter wasn't interested in doing nude photography but spent a couple of years doing modeling and her experience (along with some of her fellow models who did do nude photography) is that there are a lot of so called photographers who want to do nude NOT because they have a genuine interest in photography but are voyeurs and opportunists.
My feelings are a good photographer, a professional will have no problem with the model bringing a chaperone for safety reasons.-
Excellent advice. -
Whenever I shoot men or women I someone to the shoot that is same gender as the model. This usually makes the model a little more easy and if something gos south the same person is a witness of what happened.
Thank you for the info! -
I worked only under contract. I was extremely selective and my contract was extremely explicit about whom I modeled for, who held copyright to the images, where the images could be used, and in what ways they could and could not be used. I also had an escort for every session I modeled in.
The net is crawling with sex starved voyeurs looking for masturbatory material, and zillions of people who will willingly pimp images and videos to them for a profit. These days once an image is on the net any thief can lift it, manipulate it, photoshop it, and use it for all kinds of unintended purposes. Are there any images of me on the web - no! Would I consider nude modeling under the prevailing conditions - never! -
That is vary smart timethief. I agree with you 100%! The men/woman that do nude modeling know the risk. There is not much we can do about it as models or photographers.
That’s what happened to Lara Jade Coton, a 17-year-old photography student from the Midlands in England. Jade had posted self portrait on deviantART, complete with copyright symbol and watermark. Someone familiar with her work then spotted it on the cover of a DVD called “Body Magic,” a film which proudly boasts “Hustler’s highest rating.”
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Also don't use a disposal camera with the wind up flash. They don't appreciate that, and will call you a pig and other mean names.-
wow, first hand experience?
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As a joke. I never developed the thing. She didn't find it as funny as I did.
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lol
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I'm sometimes nude when I take pictures around the house.-
Ooooooooooooh.
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