Beginners Guide to Nude Photography
By Pippa van der Westhuizen
This is not a simple “how to do it” article, despite its title. In this article I have included as much helpful advice on the practical aspects of nude photography.
The nude is something that attracts many of us to photography. My own interest in this particular medium started with the simple fascination of the human body and the constant changes and differences we go through. I am particular fascinated with a females lower back.
You must thoroughly plan your photo. Think of how you are going to take nude photographs. What kind of nude photos do you want to take and what is the message that you want to get across to the viewer? There are many ways one can photograph a nude, so it is important to study as many nude photographs as possible.
Pornography is an area with a good market – financially one of the most successful areas of the Internet, as well as the foundation of many magazine empires worldwide. Unfortunately the photographer earns less than the others involved, so rather become a publisher. I personally think that pornography is not a strong or decent form of art and poisons a person’s perception on nude photography.
Good nude photography is always looking for something different. If you look through your viewfinder and you see something that you have seen before, don’t take the picture. Wait until you see something unique and original. Play around and find new ways to look at the subject.
A good photographer must be aware of the difference between looking at the subject and looking at the picture. The nude is a difficult subject to photograph because you can easily become emotionally intense about the body in front of your camera. A photographer must not react to that emotional intensity but rather represent some of that emotion.
It helps to look at works of great photographers of nudes. Edward Weston was one of the greatest photographers of the nude in the first half of the twentieth century. Weston was very much inspired by his models and his photographs reflect their differences as well as his own developing photographic style.
Alfred Stieglitz was another great nude photographer. He often concentrated on details such as the hands, or using a models chest as a torso. His photos explore her moods in intimate close ups.
Once you have researched various styles of which other photographers have approached this subject, you are in the position to ask yourself why you want to photograph the nude.
You must decide what interests you about a nude and how this interest is going to stimulate your photography. It is important to be honest with yourself as of why you want to photograph a nude. Nobody else has to know why. What is it about the human body that interests you? What do you want to capture on film? What message would you like to portray with your photographs? The message is one of the most important details in making your photograph a success.
Many photographers have written about why they have such an interest in nude photography. A few interesting pieces is by Karin Rosenthal and Bill Brandt’s thought on their work.
It is seldom a good idea or reason to want to photograph nudes because of your lust. Although most powerful images have been driven partially by this. If your interests don’t lie rather in lust and not in photographic then you are wasting you time on photography.
Once you have decided on your motives and interests then you can start planning your photograph. Write down what you want to capture through your viewfinder and the meaning of the photo. Once you have planned your photograph in detail you can start.
I wouldn’t suggest photographing a nude for beginners. Good nude photography needs you to master a number of skills, such as lighting, posing, directing the model and normal technical skills covering exposure. There have been situations where photographers photograph a nude to test his ability and skill. This is not always the correct reason.
There are better and easier ways to master these skills. Start of small with stills and portraiture. This will help you to learn directing people and to start appreciating lighting.
One way to convince a person that you are serious about your work and nudes is to build up a portfolio. If your interest is photographing nudes then your portfolio must contain works of nudes. You might have a problem if you are just staring out in your new passion for nudes. In this case the best option would be to have photographs of stills and portraiture.
One of the best ways to study a human’s body is to draw it first. You will see that you observe more by drawing first and looking for the close, hidden details.
MODELS
There are some of us who think that in order to photograph a nude she needs to be attractive and have sex appeal. Of course that is not the way to look for a model. One must not look at her beauty but try and find something unique and different about a person’ body. You must look for the simple things and from that create a masterpiece.
When approaching a potential model you must look and act respectable. The model must clearly know what kind of photographs you want to take. It is best to show them your portfolio so that they have an idea of what you are capable of. A business card also looks professional.
Many photographers have made themselves the subject of their nude photography. It is a good way to begin but frustrating. The obvious problem is that you are severely limited with your camera angles and shots. You can either hold it in your hands or use a self-timer. It also isn’t easy to pose in front of the camera.
Many photographers have photographed their partners. This can create very intimate photographs of unflattering ones. Be sure that your partner is happy with the end product. If you want to put the photographs on exhibition then the model must agree and might not want to be able to be identified on the photograph.
Make sure your friends are over 18. Show then your portfolio and maybe the will agree, but never pressure them into anything. Make a light suggestion.
There are good and bad professional models. Generally models that pose for glamour or fashion are likely to be expensive. Models who site for life classes are more affordable and are better in holding a pose for longer. They may be less prepared to adapt to a wide range of poses.
Few models will feel relaxed if they don’t feel relaxed and are in a suitable place. Outdoor locations need to be fairly remote, although photographers have worked in cities before. In most cities it is illegal to pose nude in public places.
Always get your nude model to sign a model release, preferably before you take the pictures. Any publication of nude photographs without proof of permission would almost be viewed as a ‘defamation of character’.
The release must state clearly the agreement between you and your model. If you a allowed to show her face or use her name? It must also be clear what you are allowed to do. Such as exhibit, publish and sell prints of any of the photographs from the session without further payment.
SESSIONS
Changing and Atmosphere
When using a nude model you must provide changing facilities. Professional studios normally have a changing room. If you don’t have a changing room a curtain or screen may be enough. If you are working with an amateur model, remind her that tight clothing leaves marks, which are unflattering on the pictures. She must preferably wear a loose robe.
You and your model will work better in a relaxed environment. To create such an environment one can put on relaxing music. It is better to let your model choose the music. Don’t play it to loud so that you cannot communicate with your subject.
Unless you are doing a self-portraiture, you should be feeling warmer than the model because you are wearing more clothes than she is. Try and create a temperature that is comfortable for the model and dress lighter so that you don’t sweat too much. A tungsten light can provide some useful directional heating that doesn’t affect you. Remember that goose pimples seldom look attractive in photographs.
PART 5
EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS
Any camera capable of producing decent photographs is suitable for nude photography. A camera, which allows you to see exactly what the lens will record, is essential.
The obvious choice to use would be a SLR (single lens reflex) camera. If you need to print in high quality use a 120 format camera. A 35mm camera will be easier and more economical to use for a moderate photograph.
An alternative is to use a good digital camera. Either one of the professional models or a good ‘prosumer’ model. A 5 or 6 Mp model would give you the required detail.
Digital photography has the great advantage of viewing your image straight after you have taken it. With a film camera you must first wait for it to be processed, unless you do it yourself. Some labs refuse to work with nude photographs, so it would be best if you asked them before hand in your film, if they are comfortable to work with nude photographs.
Most professional labs don’t have a problem with processing nude photographs in colour or black and white. Some of the best photographs were black and white photographs. An alternative is to use a Polaroid camera, but this is expensive and limited.
When you are setting up your studio, size and height defiantly count. A decent studio needs to be around 20ft long and 10ft high. Smaller studios limit what you can do.
The lighting that you use for a normal fashion shoot or studio work is the same as what you use for nude photography. If you want to catch movement then you must work with a flash. As mentioned before, constant light helps with the temperature.
For most studio photography it is best to work on a plain background. Preferably a white painted wall with a cove or sheet of material, which is curved so that you don’t see a definite line between the vertical wall and floor.
Photographic background rolls in a proper holder are more versatile. It is easier to get a black background using a roll of black paper, and dense colours are easier to obtain. A white roll is the most useful.
You can also paint on white background paper or use projection to get the various effects you want. You can buy painted or coloured backgrounds, but these are much less versatile.
Pippa: Part-time evening photography student 2005