Photography Information

The Naked Truth on Shooting Nudes


There are major obstacles to overcome to get into nude photography, not least of which is the need to practise technique. By its very nature there has to be at least one subject, and the big problem for the photographer here is image. To some the image of nude photographer is tied in with the "dirty Macintosh" brigade, with the false wig and dark glasses.

Not everyone believes the adage that an erotic photograph, does not have to be nude, and a nude photograph is not necessarily erotic. The biggest challenge is to find a suitable model, and certainly in small town rural backwater areas, it is not the brightest propaganda move to put an advertisement in the Post Office window. It is also suspect to approach someone in the street.

Impeccable credentials help here, an image of a bona fide photographer, with a studio, and a business card with a portfolio. A professionally created business card also helps; a ripped off part of an old envelope invites suspicion. It is not necessary to have a portfolio of nudes, but it is essential as an aid of creating the feeling of trust. It can be very helpful to not tell a prospective model what you do, but show them, and depending on their responses take it from there.

A lot of nude photographers start with a self portrait an this is better than nothing in some cases. There are several other methods that can be used to find people to model. Your first option is to hire professional (glamour) models. That can be expensive, and they're not often familiar with that type of work. The second option is to hire amateur models, or perhaps even nude still life models, the problem here is that the latter will have no inhibitions taking their clothes off, and may be able to sit still and hold a specific pose for long periods of time, however they may not be the best models to animate themselves. The third option is not to pay a model at all, but find someone with a vested interest in making a portfolio work. Whilst thinking about this matter during the research for this article it occurred to me, that the ideal person, would be someone who would be prepared to model in exchange for a portfolio, or other photographic service. In other words, a model who has a reason to make the session work will undoubtedly put more effort into overcoming any technical difficulties. Perhaps you know someone who is pregnant who might want to model in exchange for the photos.

Secondly that type of model will produce better results, than some eighteen year olds with a perfect body and a bad attitude. A personal model with enthusiasm to explore different perspectives and techniques has to produce better results than a wooden, but perfect doll. It does not alter the fact that your model must be at peace with the thought of nude modelling as a whole, but a sensitive relationship with the photographer will work wonders here. The rules are no different for a photographer here than a portrait photographer, he or she must first have self confidence. If you cannot get that across to your model he or she will be reluctant to give it their best shot.

This type of photography is striving for a look that is natural, and even has a look that it has not been posed for at all. Comfort is essential not just physical comfort though that is important, but mental comfort, the model must be able to understand the concept behind what you are trying to do so that she can co-operate. You have to take the time to explain the techniques of flattering compositions, but equally the model has to work on being fluid and graceful in these motions.

A good relationship with your model built on confidence is essential when you come to evaluate and criticise the work. Your first session will create the tone for future work, but that is when a model will be her most nervous, a way of getting over this barrier might be to ask her to come accompanied, and that may make for a lighter more relaxed session.

Working with the same model over a number of sessions builds up a rapport, and helps the model learn what works in the images, and what doesn't. She has to be able to see the completed image, before this is really possible. As the model becomes more familiar with how you work and experiences the crucial processes of making an image, the model becomes better at generating poses which work for you, and on the whole, the number of successful images increases.

The locations for this type of photography is not important in terms of the finished image, but it needs to be a little circumspect, or you have to take along a person who watches for stray wanderers if it is outdoors. Lighting normally seems to be better if it is natural, but a single candle can be effective particularly with the use of an older model.

It is important to think ahead before this type of assignment and instruct a model to wear loose clothing and possibly no underwear as strap marks into the skin can take a long time to subside and will ruin the final shots.

Once you have managed to break into this type of work there are many stock libraries that specialise in this type of work.

Publisher & author: Roy Barker. Roy is the author of the popular ebook, Income from Photography - a downloadable ebook which guides the reader on how to make good money from photography. It can be viewed at http://www.profitable-photography.com Other related and reviewed services & research sources can be found at http://www.profitable-photography.com/html/117/

The information on this and adjoining pages may be reprinted and used on other sites providing all information remains unchanged and the article and all pages remain as they are found here in its current font size & image with all links in tact.


MORE RESOURCES:

Malaysia Star

Idol Daniel thinks photography is good enough to sing about
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 6 hours ago
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Idol 2005 Daniel Lee loves to take pictures, a hobby he credits his photographer father. His father owns a photo studio in his ...


Three Photojournalists win Getty Images Grants for Editorial ...
MarketWatch - Sep 5, 2008
Each recipient will receive $20000 and collaborative support from Getty Images photo editors as they pursue their documentary photography projects. ...


Underwater photography on the cheap
Macworld, CA - Sep 5, 2008
That's right; this week's focus is on underwater images—a bit of a primer on how to get into underwater photography on the cheap (because that's the only ...


Group sponsors photography contest
News-Journal.com, TX - 6 hours ago
The contest is being held in conjunction with the 18th annual Make a Difference Day on Oct. 25. Participants should submit a picture or series of pictures ...


Bad Weather, Good Light: Being Flexible With Your Photography
Corsavoo.com, France - 19 hours ago
Most successful photography, like anything else, comes from having a clear goal and taking the steps necessary to achieve it. It also comes from working ...


Telegraph.co.uk

Nikon travel photography competition: shoot the world and win a ...
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Sep 5, 2008
Enter our digital travel photography competition and win the latest digital SLR camera from Nikon. Runner-up prize: The new COOLPIX P6000 camera worth £430. ...
Nikon travel photograph competition: terms and conditions Telegraph.co.uk
all 2 news articles


Golden eye, silver lens
Inquirer.net, Philippines - 15 hours ago
Sarmiento shares the belief of Henri Cartier Bresson, father of modern photojournalism: “Photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a ...


Boston Globe

Visual memoir
Boston Globe, United States - 5 hours ago
"It has taken me most of my lifetime to appreciate the courage and imagination of my sister," said Davis, who lives in Cambridge and teaches photography at ...


Rich and varied display of ceramics, photography
Weekend Post, South Africa - Sep 6, 2008
Flex photography and ceramics exhibition by the staff, students and alumni of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University School of Music, Art and Design. ...


Examiner.com

Photography Examiner
Examiner.com - 23 hours ago
Learning from his misadventures in photography is par for the course for this photographer, whether it's while playing with light, trying out new equipment ...

Photography - Google News

home | site map
© 2006