The nude is not one of the most recurring themes in photography, however, I dare to say that it is one of the most beautiful. We are human and, as such, we are tremendously attracted to the human body, for its beauty, for its uniqueness, because as with sunsets, no two bodies are alike. Today I am going to give you the keys to launch you to try this art, so that you know where to begin or solve the doubts that you may have been asked. And when you try it, you can decide if you like it enough to get off at this station or continue your trip until the next one .
WHY PHOTOGRAPH A NUDE?
Nude photography is a constant challenge, a difficult dance between the beauty of the human body and the taboo it represents in our society. Because let's not fool ourselves, we are tired of seeing almost naked bodies in advertising (and playing explicitly with sex) and when it comes to art it seems that you look with different eyes. Because it is not easy not to cross the line that separates it from the most erotic or pornographic photography, because it requires complicity with the model and because it demands more honesty than any other type of photography. For all this it is a challenge and every challenge is stimulating and pushes to grow.It stimulates me to work with the naked body for the infinite combination of lines present in each movement. Edward WestonAnd besides, the nude is pure beauty
LIGHT
The type of light to use will depend on the result you are looking for. However, if you allow me the advice, I would start to play with natural light . We talk about the artistic nude, not a commercial nude, what more artistic than a naked body bathed in natural light? Do not you think that a flash, in addition to intimidating the model, will subtract naturalness and beauty from the image? When you have a little more experience you can start playing with artificial lights and even try the different effects that soft and hard lights offer you . Just as you can experiment to get nude photos in high or low key . What you should be very clear about is that light will be a very important element in nude photography. The way you illuminate the body will determine the effect it will cause in the public, it is a large part of the message you want to convey.TRUST CLIMATE
It is essential that you somehow connect with the person who will be photographed naked for you. You must feel completely comfortable, safe. Try to create a climate of absolute confidence, let it be for more natural photos or explain what you are looking for before starting the session. Give her the opportunity to show you the best of herself, to undress not only outside, but also inside.COLOR OR BLACK AND WHITE
Here speaks a lover of black and white , if you have been reading the blog for a while you will probably already know;). A black and white nude , for me, usually has a strength, elegance and natural beauty that I don't see so much in the nude in color. Of course, this is perhaps too subjective a vision, because I understand that a pure nude is one that strips the body, the soul and also the color photo and other distractions . That does not mean that you can not achieve spectacular nudes in color, you will see a few examples in this article. The message you want to convey will require grayscale or color, you decide as an artistDETAILS
Look for the details of the body of your model, it is a way of creating mystery, of showing without showing, of awakening sensuality and causing the viewer's mind to build a story from the sample you are offering. Play with them to create compositions or arouse emotions.EDITION
On the issue there is a great debate in general. Not to be demonized, editing programs are an excellent and necessary tool that currently has the good fortune to have any photographer. Now, when it comes to artistic nude, in my humble opinion, the edition must be minimal. To be as honest with the models, with the public and even with you, try to edit the photo just enough. Leave the imperfections of your model, they will be part of your personality that has to reach the viewer. Do not modify your body. Improve if you need some parameters, but if you are not a professional who is going to sell a photograph to a firm, but an amateur who is creating art, you do not need to dress fictional reality, or make a photo montage, you need to show reality with your eyes and with your sensitivity through the camera.IT CAUSES A REACTION
The fact of photographing a nude in itself will cause a reaction in the viewer. It is up to you to be a strong reaction, not a mere one, "bah, another naked one." That the impact is real, that the viewer cannot stop looking at the image. It can cause you negative or positive feelings, it doesn't matter, what matters is that you remove it inside. As an example I will give you the Japanese photographer Manabu Yamanaka , who made a fabulous series (Gyahtei) of very old women who showed their body full of wrinkles and real size . An extraordinary work that goes beyond sculptural bodies and shows the body as it is in old age.COMPOSITION
As in any photograph, the composition is as protagonist as the same model. You can't forget her. Andreas H. Bitesnich, a wonderful nude photographer, says that the important thing is to find a visual balance, that the nude is a matter of balance and proportion. Probably this author finds it intuitively, if you do not have that gift, do not be scared, you can work soak up the work of the most experienced to develop your photographic eye in the nudes.PROFESSIONAL MODELS OR NOT?
The models can show you very studied poses and faces, they will give you what they think you expect from them, they will lack the naturalness of anyone who has no experience. If you are looking for genuine, authentic nudes and that show the soul of the person you are portraying, a professional model is not the best option. On the other hand, a professional model will offer you a security that another non-experienced model cannot. When planning the session, be clear about what type of photographs you want, if more natural or more studied and look for the right model for that occasion. Some ideas to keep in mind when looking for models :- You can pull family or friends who have a healthy relationship with their body and with the nudes for more natural photographs.
- Look for models that need a book and make an exchange.
- Dancers can be a fantastic option, because of the beauty of their body, because of the way they move, because they will probably pose with less modesty and because they can help you achieve wonderful compositions.
- you can work naked of different ages, the more information your body offers you (scars, tattoos, wrinkles ...) the more tools you will have to bare your soul
- Another idea is to work with several models at the same time. In this case it is very important that there is full trust between them or that they are professionals. A couple can be a good option.
INDOOR OR OUTDOOR?
As we are talking about your first nude photograph, my recommendation is that the first sessions be done in an environment in which both the person who is going to be photographed and you feel comfortable. Especially if it is a family member or friend, you can work in an environment that is familiar to you. With a professional model maybe you can afford other luxuries, but not with someone as lacking in experience as you. Little by little you can go looking for interesting locations that are part of the creative work.GOALS
Although a nude is still a portrait, the ideal is that you start with one of these recommended lenses for portrait photography and if you have a 35 mm , then better than better . Later, if you continue to be attracted to the subject, you will discover your own needs on your own.THIN LINE
The line between the artistic nude, with the sensuality or elegance that it conveys, and other types of more explicit or pornographic photographs may be too thin. Pay close attention and remember that you are creating art, keep in mind what the limit is and what you want to wake up in your audience and never lose the elegance or feeling of art. You can talk to your model before about this topic, if you explain well where your limits are and make it clear what you expect from the session will help you relax.PLAN
In this case, planning also becomes vitally important. During the session you will have to worry about maintaining the climate of trust, achieving a good composition, not crossing the delicate line that separates the artistic nude from more vulgar images, maintaining the message you want to send, looking for details or optimizing to the maximum the light to paint the bodies. Therefore, everything you have planned in advance will facilitate the task instead of complicating it. Choose the stage, think what kind of photographs you want to achieve, what will be the best light and therefore the best time, what objectives you will use, if you will use any accessories (hat, flowers or any other ornament) ... everything! Everything you can anticipate or anticipate will help you get better results because you can concentrate more in the moment.GET INSPIRED
Observing the work of other greats in photography is usually essential both to find inspiration and to learn. In the case of nudes I find it even more important, for ideas and to discover how you can photograph the human body completely naked without losing elegance and transmitting such a brutal beauty that your heart skips a beat and your eyes move to the rhythm of the best blues. Some nude photographers to inspire you, pioneers and contemporaries, a little bit of everything- Edward Weston
- Alfred Stieglitz
- Imogen Cunningham
- Sally Mann
- Mona Kuhn
- Regina DeLuise
- Ralph Gibson
- Andreas H. Bitesnich
- Silvie Blum
- Ernestine Ruben
HOP UP
You only have to jump into the pool. Take a test, or two, or three, the ones you need to know if this type of photography is your thing. You will discover your true vocation and become a reference in the world of nudes! Of course, to get it you have to try, it will be useless to have read here if you do not do a little test Before launching, if you liked the article, I would greatly appreciate you sharing it on Facebook, Twitter or Google+, maybe the next promise of nude photography is among your contacts Thank you and see you soon!