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Basics of nude photography. Choosing a studio for an erotic photo shoot in nude style. Studio equipment

Nude (new, nud) is an artistic genre in art that depicts the aesthetics and beauty of the human body. Famous artists worked in this genre: Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, Raphael, Rubens and many others. This is a type of classical art that came to us from ancient times and was revived in the post-war years, when the role of women in society acquired new meaning.

Today anyone can join this genre. A professional nude photo shoot will help you with this.

Women's beauty is multifaceted and unique. Therefore, to capture it means to reflect the Creator’s plan, to admire the beauty and strength of feminine nature. Photos will leave a wonderful memory of your own body for many years. Also, such photographs will be a pleasant gift for your beloved man.

The preferred place for a nude photo shoot is a studio, because it is in the studio that a woman will not be embarrassed by prying eyes and will reveal herself completely. This way you can arrange a photo shoot outdoors - in the wilderness or deep in the forest, where no one will interfere with the shooting.

It is very important to choose a good photographer and make sure of his professionalism. At a minimum, the photographer must have good experience in nude photo shoots.

Portfolio of a professional photographer in the “Nude” genre

Alyona

Such photo sessions are often strictly confidential. Therefore, a professional photographer will give you a guarantee that without your consent, photos will not be displayed on the photographer’s websites and in other electronic and printed publications.

You need to understand that a professional photographer conducting a nude photo shoot is, first of all, an artist. Therefore, trust him, behave naturally. And the photographer will advise you, guide you, help you relax and never cross the fine line between art and vulgarity.

Nude photo shoots are based on erotic gestures, poses, movements, and glances. Sometimes it is not necessary to show a naked body. A body covered with drapery, an elegant pose, an alluring gaze - and a nude photograph will turn out to be as successful as possible.

A nude photo shoot will help you get to know and love your own body, reveal your soul, express yourself in a new, unexpected genre, and join the world of high art.

All photographs presented on this page were taken by me personally. For reasons of confidentiality, I publish only a small part of the pictures. I will be glad if you choose me as a nude photographer in Moscow.

With very proactive listeners. We finished all the classes with them, and they came into contact with me, they say, we want to continue: to master the highlighting of hair, to fix the modeling light, and so that it is beautiful and on a naked fashion model... We want to learn how to photograph a beautiful Nude. I tensed up a little, because aesthetic, beautiful nudity and nudes are not my thing at all. I would like it to be disgusting, sometimes vicious, but still tasteful. There is nothing to do, I can’t retreat - my authority will fall. He announced a casting call for models, selected a photo studio with a bed (to organically place a naked model in the place of a future nude photo shoot). I conducted the lesson, and the guys even achieved something. “Ugh” three times, this time it passed, and again there was silence and grace in my head, but not for long. Customers began to wonder if I could take photographs for money so that I could get a beautiful nude. Eh, no luck, no luck, I’ll have to learn to take beautiful photographs.

Being a methodical person, I first decided to study the best examples of beautiful nude photography in the world. Wandering around websites, I came across the Empty Citadel group (VKontakte) with a gigantic collection of selected pictures (I do not recommend watching it for children under 125 years old!). I looked through about 10,000 photographs, analyzed them, separated the good ones, from my point of view, from the bad ones, and began to look for patterns. And I found something.

What's remarkable is that if erotic photographers knew the rules used in portrait photography, they could make their Nude photo sessions even more beautiful.
Photo 1: The crop should be above the knee, not below it.
Photo 2: severe ankle deformity. The knee of the right leg had to be raised higher.
Photo 3: The beauty Britney has a “shank” coming out of her butt.

Patterns when photographing beautiful nudes.

The photo model does not have to be fat (an ingenious solution that allows you to reduce processing time in Photoshop).
A fashion model for nude photography must be a young girl. This also reduces processing time in Photoshop. But my customers might not fall under this pattern. But, fortunately, the following pattern was revealed...
Total blur The texture of the model’s skin leaves us, mere mortals, no chance to equal their beauty. After all, unlike them, we cannot photoshop ourselves and then go with blur on the face to the store or to work. Blur You will still have to master Photoshop.
There are only two places for a model to pose in Nude: on the bed (sofa) and in all other places.
The main idea of shooting Nude: a beautiful, young, incomplete, naked fashion model in a beautiful pose.
The beauty of the pose consists of the diagonal lines of the main parts of the model’s body. The legs provide a significant proportion of diagonal lines.
Shoes allow you to cover the models' feet and make the model's essential part even more significant.
You need to stretch your toes.
Shooting with a shallow depth of field ( bokeh) is used more widely in nude photography than in portrait photography. To apply this technique, the model must be shot from an unconventional angle for a photographic portrait - along the direction of the body and, naturally, with an open aperture (photos 4-6).
Often the light that paints on the face gives who knows what kind of cut-off pattern. But, the main thing is that on the convex parts of the body (and legs) of the fashion model it gives volume through chiaroscuro.

Using a shallow depth of field when photographing beautiful nudes is a common technique.

After analyzing the best nude photos, I have identified several template poses(photos 7-10), characteristic of a nude photo shoot. Some of them were known to me from portrait photography (in the photography course I show them and we shoot them). All our portraits template poses, and their derivatives, gentlemen, students, are also used when shooting Nude! I also calculated new templates, specific to the genre being studied. These are what I had to master in the upcoming photo shoots.

Photos 7-9: one of the template poses often used when photographing nudes. Photo 10 shows a bad example of using this pose: the awkward position of the fashion model’s arms and legs.

Practice shooting beautiful nudes

The mythical creature Gava invited me to assist her in a nude shoot. The model is about forty and in great shape (photo 11). During the photo shoot, I tried to interfere with Gava’s process as little as possible. Mostly he gave advice on working with poses and only occasionally picked up the camera. I was very irritated by the lack of a bed in the photo studio. Be that as it may, we didn’t do a bad photo shoot, although I was dissatisfied with my passivity. Therefore, I decided to conduct the next nude style shoot under my own direction, that is, the camera should be in my hands for most of the photo shoot. By that time, I had already carried out the above analysis and had theoretical knowledge of how to photograph a nude model beautifully and glamorously.

I outlined a plan for practicing poses for the photo shoot. Even during practice, my students and I found out that if a bed has two headboards, then the one closest to the camera interferes with photography for most scenes. Therefore, the studio was chosen with a bed with only one headboard. Our next model for Nu is a little over thirty, slim, with beautiful breasts and an interesting face.

Sofa

Installed drawing And filling light for shooting on the bed. Damn, the sofa in that photo studio looks more glamorous. He spat on everything and moved the light to the sofa. I decided to use a black and white drawing " It's a nasty day" For this purpose the crane carried painting light above the sofa, and as high as possible to get more uniform vertical lighting of the scene. This did not eliminate the slight overexposure of the wall at the top of the frame, but RAW format + Local Adjusments in RAW converter Capture One easily dealt with this problem. Unfortunately, it was not possible to reach the device to the center of the sofa (vertically) - the reach of the crane rod was not enough. Having taken test shots at medium (2 stops) and high (without fill light) chiaroscuro contrast, I decided to abandon using fill light, since I liked deep shadows more.

The model was worried and hesitant. Tactfully, but firmly, invite her to be naked. He lay down on the sofa, picked him up and showed him the initial pose with which I wanted to start photographing. I noticed that even though the girl is slim, the folds on her stomach still appear when her body bends. At first I thought that I would remove them in Photoshop, but I decided to test the idea that came to me right away: I asked the model to bend her back a little. The idea worked - the wrinkles were gone. I widely used this technique for combating belly folds throughout the photo shoot ( An important discovery for me!).

Because painting light was on a crane, it was difficult to control it. Therefore, I was looking for a position of the model’s head that would create one of the portrait portraits on her face. black and white drawings.

The first part of Nu's shooting took place on the couch.

Bed

In fact, it was planned as the main location for the photo shoot. Installed painting light a little further than usual, about three meters from the center of the bed. This is necessary in order to obtain more uniform lighting of the scene. Fill light with two levels of contrast gave volumetric light and shade with the transparency of the shadow that was suitable for shooting in high key. A light bedspread, pillows, headboard and walls also helped create high key, a popular style for shooting romantic nudes.

I am not a supporter of artificially obtaining diagonals, which novice photographers often create by turning the camera at a certain angle (photo 12). Therefore, we put a fashion model and diagonalize as many parts of her body as possible. Everything is exactly the same as with portrait photography.

But with bokeh I didn't manage to work. I forgot the 70-200 mm lens at home, and the 105 mm one. With the lens that was on the camera, it will not be possible to get strong blur. Well, never mind, I'll try to imitate it bokeh in Photoshop. And at the next photo shoot I’ll work with bokeh for real.

Thus, I managed to work out two standard poses of a fashion model lying on the bed and find several positions for the hands that are typical when shooting beautiful nudes.

The second part of nude photography. Bokeh simulated in Photoshop.

Assignment for the next nude style shoot:

consolidate the work with the completed template poses of a fashion model when photographing nudes.
Practice two more template poses from my collection of the best poses for Nude.
Work with bokeh.

Wait for the continuation about processing this shooting in Photoshop.

Shooting nudes is a very intimate, creative process in which there is no room for shyness and tightness. This is one of the types of photography that is full of secrets and mysteries. Like each genre of photography, nudes also have their own characteristics.

The nude genre can be divided into three subgenres: erotic photography (the picture is aimed at perception through instincts), art photography (the main thing is to show the beauty of the naked body, with a focus on the viewer’s intellectual perception) and pornography (the presence of a rough sexual orientation). We will talk about the most popular subgenre - nude art photography.

Let's start with the fact that you need to have a good knowledge of the laws of exposure, composition, photographic equipment, in general theory, have some experience in photography, but most importantly, the photographer must constantly remember that he is looking through the glass of the lens at a living person, all the time it is necessary to take into account the character of the model , her emotions and mood!

Rule #1: Nude photos should be visually interesting

The direction of nude photography is very similar in essence to fine art photography. Fine art is a photograph created for the sole purpose of simply being interesting to look at.

Thus, the first important goal of nude photography is to show the naked form in a way that is interesting to look at.

In order to create an interesting image, nude photographs are often taken in black and white, because the main meaning in such photos lies in light, shadows, shapes and contrast. As a rule, the photographer's task is to combine all these elements so that it is graphically interesting.

Rule No. 2: Nude photos must be anonymous

Nude photographs are not about the person being photographed. In fact, quite often the model's face is not even in the frame. Compare nudes to portraiture, where the main idea is to show or depict something about the sitter's life, or even more often about her personality. Nude is really the opposite of the portrait genre, because nude is about the beauty of the body and forms in general, and not about a person in particular.

Rule #3: Nude photos must be non-sexual

While any straight man would understandably enjoy looking at photographs of naked women, there is a difference between nude photography and erotic photography. Although this difference can be very, very subtle, and often it is expressed only in the intentions of the artist.

In this regard, nude photography fits perfectly into the definition of fine art photography, where the artist's intention is to create something interesting. At the same time, erotic photographs are intended to tickle the viewer's emotions and awaken his imagination, that is, it is no longer a matter of visual interest as such.

What is unsexy for one person may be sexy for another! Therefore, an artist creating a work in nude style cannot predict the behavior of the audience who will evaluate his work. And will the viewer be able to discern the artist’s intentions? And, we repeat, the artist’s intentions are not to show the sexuality of the body. For this reason, at least in Western countries, there are certain conventions in nude photography (for example, hiding the genitals in the shadows) - these are precisely the steps that serve to show what the photographer's intention was (nude or erotica).

Model selection

We must not forget for a second that the result of the photo depends greatly on the model, and what can we hide, sometimes even much more than on the photographer. So we have come to the key point of how the nude genre, or, as it is also called, the genre of erotic photography, differs from any other genre - this is, of course, a model, and at the same time completely or partially naked.

For many people starting to work in the erotic genre, finding a model often becomes an insoluble problem. I will even say with full responsibility that many photographers who dreamed of doing nude photography abandoned their hopes of succeeding in this genre when faced with the need to find a model that suited them.

You can pay attention to your acquaintances or friends and invite them to prove themselves, so to speak. If the “search” does not yield results, take a look at photographers’ websites: not only photo studio workers flock there, but also models. You can choose a decent option among them and agree on shooting on TFP terms. When agreeing on a shoot with a model, you need to clearly define your obligations. This is especially true in cases where a financial transaction is not concluded. Models who have been working in this business for a long time are unlikely to agree to cooperate on TFP terms. But if you are interested in creating a portfolio, you cannot do without investment.

At the same time, the main problem lies not in the model who will agree to be photographed nude, but in choosing the appropriate type: not every model has a figure suitable for artistic nude photography. That is why, before inviting her to shoot, you should carefully study the photographs in her portfolio.

Studio

You must have a full understanding of all the details about the shooting location.

You don't need a huge studio to take good nude photographs, but you do need to have enough space to place a couple of lights and a background, and be far enough away to capture the whole subject without using a wide-angle lens. A medium-sized living room practically meets the minimum requirements.

Lighting schemes

To take this photo, I used one light source, a softbox measuring 80 by 120 cm, and a reflector to illuminate the shadows from the opposite side. Having turned it away from the background, we practically lost the background into blackness. By choosing a more precise rotation and distance, we achieve the desired cut-off pattern.

Scheme

The resulting photo

In another version, only one softbox is used, but now it is deployed slightly more from the background and shifted slightly behind the model. As a result, the black and white pattern retained its softness, but turned out to be more contrasting.

Scheme

The resulting photo

For the next photo, almost the same scheme is used, but the model is positioned differently. The softbox is also moved so that it illuminates less on the side of the model facing the camera, that is, the light is directed somewhat from behind, and not from the side, as it might seem at first glance. If you place the softbox exactly opposite the model and do not unfold it, such a cut-off pattern will not work.

Scheme

The resulting photo

And here are examples of nudes shot using light from a window and without additional equipment.

The light shines from above on the model

The light shines from the right side

Nature

What matters is not what environment the photographer places his model in, but whether he manages to create an erotic picture from individual nudity. Any compositional environment is suitable for this, if it allows for the intended idea. Erotic shooting in natural light provides two opportunities:

depict man and nature as a unity.
use catchy natural details such as rocks, textured gnarled trees, etc. as a contrast.

Best of luck, if the sun is shining, place your model directly in the sun and remember the golden rule - never shoot in backlight (that's when the sun is shining at the model's back), although this can come in handy if you're shooting a silhouette. You can read about this in the article. Never place the model in the shade, because not a single reflector or flash can interrupt the bright rays of the sun. If the forecast is for a sunny day, you don’t even need to use a flash. It’s always good to put additional shadows on your face, for example from bush branches or leaves on trees.

In general, the rules here are standard for taking a portrait on a sunny or cloudy day. You can read about this in our article. But remember you have to deviate from the standards, so experiment!

Have your model wear loose clothing before the shoot. This will avoid any unsightly marks on your skin left by tight clothing. This artifact can be time-consuming when editing photos after shooting.
Do not touch the model during shooting. It is better to show all the poses that the model should take by your own example. If you want the model to raise her hand, then raise your hand and show how best to place it. You and your girlfriend can study the poses of professional models on the Internet in advance.
Try to avoid sharp body bends. Even the best models in the world have folds in their skin, so when choosing poses, try to hide these imperfections as much as possible and avoid making sharp angles and bends.
When shooting, do not use a wide angle lens. Move the zoom to the maximum possible telephoto position (Maximum zoom value, not in the sense of how much the device allows, but how much the size of the room allows). In this case, unnecessary interior details will not get into the frame and the model will have more correct proportions in the photo.
Turn off the focus beep and other camera sounds. This will not strain the model once again and will allow you to create more natural photographs.
Don't let the model smile! The nude genre does not tolerate smiles. Only a thoughtful, sexy facial expression will do.

Nudity has been present in art since ancient civilizations. In modern society, since the birth of photography, the attitude towards this genre has changed many times. Not to say that today it has become easier for a photographer shooting nude photos. If earlier the artist was dominated by public morality, today, when posters with half-naked beauties decorate buildings, the main task of the photographer is not just to show a sexually attractive girl or guy, but to give some meaning to the photograph, to put an idea into it, which, in fact, will do picture is a work of art. Today we will talk about how to photograph in nude style.

What is nude photography?

You need to immediately decide on the criterion of what is considered nude photography and how it differs from the usual image of the naked body, from erotica and from pornography.

The main task for a photographer is not to provoke sexual desire in the viewer, but to create a special image, atmosphere, mood. And, of course, a certain message;
Nudity is not a goal, but a means to embody an image. That is, the model does not specifically show her person, but reveals a certain image;

Sexual subtext is of secondary importance;
Paramount: composition, light, color schemes, expressiveness of pose and gaze;
In nudes, extreme drawing of details is not a priority. On the contrary, the laws of the genre dictate that details be hidden behind shadows, gestures, and drapery. Nudity is present, naturally, but it manifests itself not as 100% nudity, but as understatement.

As for such genres as softcore, met-art and hardcore, they are completely independent and should not be confused with nude.

But if you decide to look at samples of the genre and go to search engines, typing in something like “nude photography” or “nude photography,” you will absolutely get two-thirds of softcore and hardcore photos and only one-third of nudes. All this is because “nude” is confused with simple nudity.

Photographic equipment for shooting art nudes

Nothing new; in technical terms, nude photography differs little from the portrait genre, essentially being its variety. It is important to be more collected, attentive and be able to implement ideas as accurately as possible. Well, and a psychological moment: here, more than ever, it is important to create comfortable conditions for the model, which we will talk about later. So, technology.

Lenses. Optics with a focal length of 80-100 mm. Because short focal lengths are fraught with perspective distortions and are possible if you deliberately want to achieve some effect. The lens must be fast. Working with light plays a key role here. It is light that helps emphasize the aesthetic appeal of the body, outlines shapes and lines. If you're just starting out as a photographer, get yourself a prime lens. For a spacious studio, 50 mm is quite enough. The optimal range that can be used as a guide when choosing a lens: f.r. from 50 to 85 mm.

In the nude genre, soft, diffused light is very useful. Soft pattern, tonal transitions, shallow shadows. That's what you need, isn't it?!

Camera. It's a matter of individual preference. You need a camera that is comfortable for you to shoot with. Canon 450D or newer models will do just fine. Don't chase the number of pixels, that's for sure. The main thing is that the camera has a sync contact (it is needed to connect the sync cable or for the IR trigger).
Hood. Sunny is suitable, especially if you plan to experiment with focal lengths. It can compensate for the negative effects of backlight when working at a focal length of 18mm.
Filters. At your own discretion. Mostly needed if you plan to shoot outdoors.
Sources of light. General (studio flashes and wide diffuser screens), drawing (for highlighting hair and for separating dark hair from a dark background. As a rule, this is a narrow light cone, such a funnel standing behind the model and directed at her), and also background (for giving greater spatial depth).
Reflectors, diffusers, backgrounds;
Props, accessories for shooting.

Before we talk in detail about the main working points in nude photography, here is a quote that perfectly reflects the essence of the work of a photographer working in this genre:

“My wife knows that I look at models the same way a peasant looks at his potatoes.”

The phrase, at first glance shocking, belongs to one of the most outstanding photographers in the nude genre, Helmut Newton. The master meant that the nude photographer, like the peasant, is very happy that the model looks good in the photographs. Photos with her participate and win in various competitions. But a true professional in nude photography, like a normal farmer, would never think of framing his potatoes. It seems that we have dispelled all prejudices that could become obstacles to understanding the essence of the profession of “nude photographer”.

Working with a model when shooting nudes

The first and most important thing is to create an atmosphere of psychological comfort on the set. For you to get good photos, the model must feel comfortable. It is a mistake to believe that only amateur models are worried. Everyone is worried, the pros are distinguished only by more technical work with their body.

So, a few simple rules:

Plan your time so that you have time to relax before the model arrives. That is, you need to arrive at the studio at least half an hour in advance. Calmly prepare lighting fixtures and create a cozy atmosphere. Tea, coffee, snacks and other important household items. This also applies to plein air photography.
Be friendly, show where all the amenities are located in the studio so that the model does not have to ask or guess. Take time to discuss the main ideas and filming concept. You can show examples of photographs that could be used as a guide. Tell us a little about yourself.
Music plays a big role. It makes the atmosphere more relaxed. Calm piano music and some kind of lounge or chill-out are best. Naturally, the music should be in harmony with the atmosphere of filming.

This section can be used as a reminder that should be given to the model in advance.

Depilation should be carried out at least 24 hours before filming. This way, redness and irritation will be eliminated, which will then have to be retouched.
It is not recommended to wear tight clothes and underwear with tight straps and metal fasteners before filming. Since the prints from them will be visible for a long time after the clothes are removed.
Do not use greasy creams before shooting, as they give the skin an oily sheen. The desired matte shine can be achieved by rubbing a special care cream into the skin. It is applied to the skin shortly before arriving at the studio.
Aspects such as fees, working conditions, etc. are discussed separately in advance.

Start of filming. Warming up

There is no need to rush headlong into experimenting with complex poses and immediately expose the model completely. It's better to do everything gradually. It has been verified that the first shots are better for the model if it has some kind of support.

Seated postures

In the first minutes of a photo shoot, it is good to offer the model lying or sitting poses. And a direct gaze in this decade is not at all necessary.

A professional model, if you ask her to sit on a chair, will immediately do everything as it should. Stand with your feet on your toes, place your hands on your hips (or put your hands behind your head), and bring your back into an S-shaped position. The gaze will most likely be directed towards the main light source.

If you are working with an amateur model, then you should definitely pay attention to:

Does she keep her back straight?
Are her hips too pressed into the chair (she should “float” a little);
The way the light falls on her face, right?;
The object on which the model is sitting should not be too high.

If you sit the model on a low chair, and she puts her legs on the tips of her toes, then the legs will visually appear longer, and the belly (if it stands out) can be hidden.

The model's upper body should remain straight.

Standing photography poses

This is the next stage. Give the model a chair or any other object that she can lean on. A good option is columns. Further, complicating the task, it will be possible to do without a supporting object. The main thing is to take as many pictures as possible, and also not to forget to talk to the model, because there is nothing more unpleasant for the model than working in oppressive silence, from which only the clicks of the shutter button can be heard.

Catch the model in motion and be sure to keep it in the lighted area.

For graceful posture, shoes with high heels will not hurt; an option for barefoot models is to stand on tiptoes or heels and walk on tiptoe. Experiment.

Try to cover the spectrum: in some pictures the model stands on her entire foot, in others she stands on her toes. Notice the difference in posture and core tension.And be sure to take a break, give the model enough rest.

Important! During breaks, show the model the footage so that she can evaluate the quality of the work done and that everything was not in vain. But you need to show it if, in your opinion, there is already something to show. Listen to her opinion.

Special poses for nude photos

Lying down, with a arch in the back

An excellent option for “warming up”.

Pairs perfectly with underwear; options with jeans and a light open shirt are possible. In terms of composition, a low wooden table (or large box) is suitable, the height of which should not be higher than the model’s knee. Cover the surface with a cloth that should hang slightly. The main source (softbox) is placed on the right hand, or it can be light from a window. Place a reflector opposite (it should highlight the legs a little). Background: black and does not need to be highlighted. Simply select the desired distance from the background or darken the main light.

Focal length: 55.0mm
Shutter speed E 1/125 s
Aperture f/20.0
Flash 500W, full power
Dist. to object Ok. 4 m

Shooting algorithm

The model lies on her back, her head is facing the light and can hang slightly off the table. Due to this, you can visually stretch the upper body and make the model more slender. The model's legs should not be relaxed, on the contrary, they should be tense. It will be great if the model doesn’t just pull them forward, but bends them and places her knees at different heights. The leg that is further away from the photographer bends at a sharper angle and thus looks a little taller. The arms are thrown back, resulting in an elegant posture.

Sagging posture is a distinctive, signature feature of “Nude” photography. Due to this, the model looks slender, tall and long-legged. As for exposure, it is measured based on the highlights.

Adding speakers

To get a more vibrant photo, we recommend capturing the natural movements of your subject. Here a lot is given to intuition. You need to catch the exact moment when the model forgets that someone is looking at her. A little ingenuity and everything will work out.

Option. Tell the model that she needs to change her shoes without leaving the frame. Or say that the tights are unraveling in one place, or that a thread needs to be removed at the bottom edge of the coat. Record all the model's reactions to your tricks. In this case, you can use any shooting technique. With a professional model you don’t even have to be tricky. It’s great if the model takes a pose that can be “frozen” with a short shutter speed.

Let the model rotate slowly around its axis. It is important to set the light correctly and ensure that the shadows fall as they should. A successful pose plus the correct cut-off pattern is a reason to quickly press the trigger.

The role of details in nude art

In this genre, nude details have an aesthetic role, often an abstract one (in contrast to the same softcore and hardcore). That is, your main goal as a photographer is to give the viewer a reason for imagination, for participation in the creative process. Erotic dreams in this genre, as we have already said, are not paramount.

Option. Place the model on red velvet in front of a glowing backdrop (either a softbox or a plexiglass wall). On your side there is a golden reflector that will highlight dark areas and add a warm touch.

The desired pose is selected during the search process. You are looking for the desired position of the model in the light that falls from the right. Practice shows that the best options are obtained spontaneously. Try to reduce the distance between the camera and the model. Approach yourself, don't use the zoom because it will reduce the lens's aperture (and then you'll have to open the aperture wider).

Focal length: 55mm
Shutter speed: 1/125 s
Aperture: F/14
ISO: 100
Flash lamps 1x500 W plus reflector

Working with form using light

Light is the main formative element of photography. It is important to see it and understand what results can be achieved by using it one way or another.

Slimming with light

The model stands in front of a softbox or plexiglass wall. Alternatively: natural light from the window passing through white curtains.

You can also use unsoftened light. The model can pose wrapped in transparent material. As an option - a knitted tablecloth, curtain fabric. The model can wrap herself in a shawl or throw a scarf over herself. Ask her to make movements with her hands and have her turn in different directions. Pay attention to the tension in your legs and hips. High heels are perfect here. As an option, the model takes an uneven stance, tensing one hip and relaxing the other.

A fully open aperture will give an interesting overexposure in the waist area. The slenderness of the legs is achieved due to reflections of light.

Focal length: 55mm
Shutter speed: 1/125 s
Aperture: F/7.1
ISO 100
Flash 1x500 W

conclusions

We showed the main points on nude photography that may be useful to a beginning photographer. Once you start working in this genre, you will understand how difficult and vast and incredibly interesting it is. Today art nude is real art. The abundance of nudity on the Internet is inversely proportional to the quality of the photographs posted. The selfie boom and some people's desire for exhibitionism make true art-nude photography a rarity. The more valuable are the pictures that you will get after learning how to shoot in this genre. And we wish you good luck and a real romance with your profession.

Nude photography has a long history as a provocative art form. The human body itself is a beautiful creation whose complex shapes, smooth contours and unique features make it a stunning subject to photograph. However, the photographer needs to be careful about how to achieve the intended aesthetic presentation in his images while maintaining a professional approach. Always plan ahead, use a wide variety of photography techniques to capture the beauty of your subject, and make sure she feels comfortable at every stage of the process.

Steps

Part 1

Preparation

Find a model willing to go nude. Your first priority is to find someone who will agree to do nude photography. Try to communicate with women who are interested in modeling and are interested in photography as an art. If you don't have such contacts, you may be able to hire a model through a professional modeling agency. Before using the services of such agencies, make sure that you are able to pay for them.

Have an idea of what you want to achieve. Before you get excited about the idea of starting taking photographs as soon as possible, you need to clearly mentally imagine your idea and how to implement it. Think about what kinds of thematic elements could be used, and also consider technical aspects, including possible camera angles, lighting ideas and shot selection. The worst thing you can do is start nude photography without preparation. There must be an invisible atmosphere of trust between the fashion model and the photographer, and if a girl has to undress in front of an unprepared amateur photographer who doesn’t even have any idea in her head, it will not be easy for her at all.

Find a suitable location for photography. Keep an eye out for eye-catching locations that might be good for nude photography. The visual intrigue of your chosen location should do justice to the beauty of your subject. Natural landscapes including fields, forests and bodies of water are a popular choice as they complement the natural beauty of the naked body. However, you can also choose industrial sites, urban buildings and any other interesting places as a background.

Avoid public areas and places where you will be watched or disturbed.
If you need permission to take photographs in a specific location, please complete all formalities before taking photographs.

Set a time and place for a preliminary meeting. Set up a preliminary meeting with the model to discuss the details of the photo shoot. Invite her to lunch, coffee, or a visit to your studio for a friendly chat. Try to break the ice between you before you get down to work. When the time comes to take your camera out, you will already be familiar enough and will be able to communicate with each other more comfortably.
- Be sure to outline your concept so the model has an idea of what to expect. Don't be afraid to ask the model about her views on what you have in mind.
- Use this time to assess the model's comfort level with the idea of future shoots. Get to the main point and initiate a dialogue with questions: “Would you mind if...? How would you feel about...?”
- A preliminary meeting is not a date. Do your best to help the model relax, but maintain an appropriate professional attitude towards her.

Part 2

Photography

Pay special attention to lighting setup. Distribute the light sources so that they highlight and accentuate the natural shape of the model. If you're shooting in the field, this could be the soft diffused light of a sunset, or it could be a more pronounced balance of light and shadow for contrasty black and white photos. Your lighting should be in harmony with the model's shape and pose so that you can get the most aesthetically pleasing photos.

Experiment with different photography techniques. Until your photos become known for their own distinctive style, don't be afraid to experiment with different compositions, filters, lighting, and so on. Each of your models will be unique, so each of your photographs should be somehow different from the others. Be thoughtful and take the time to capture every nuance of your subject, location, lighting, and action.
- Mix different techniques. For example, include a few black-and-white photos in a photo lineup of rich color shots, or find other ways to incorporate different thematic elements into your photo shoot.
- Think about what you can do to improve the appearance of your photos (without changing them too much) when editing.
Don't be afraid of spontaneity. You don't have to stick too strictly to pre-set plans. While it's important to have certain ideas in mind, improvisation can give you fresh and exciting images. Sometimes the best ideas come by accident, when you're just fooling around. Who knows, you might have a breakthrough if you just let things take their course.
- Instead of strictly adhering to a sequence of pre-planned poses, let the model move and pose freely while you photograph as much as you can. If there is nothing worthwhile in the frames, you can easily delete them later, but you may end up with one or two truly special photos.
Don't feel like your photos have to be very revealing. Shake up lifeless photos with clever ways to hide or play up your subject's beauty. Use minimalist accessories (scarves, jewelry) to cover intimate areas of the body, or shoot the model from an unusual angle or while interacting with furnishings, taking into account spatial perspective. The purpose of nude photography is not always to show the female body in every detail. Sometimes the fewer, the better.

Part 3

Treat the model with respect

Give the model some privacy. Provide your model with a private place where she can undress and prepare for the photo shoot. This way she won't have to undress in the field right in front of you and the rest of your team. Anyone would feel uncomfortable taking off their clothes completely in front of spectators. Remember that the model's comfort is of paramount importance, even if she has been nude hundreds of times before.
- It would also be a good idea to prepare a robe or other comfortable clothing that the model can throw on if she gets cold while you are getting ready for the next series of photo shoots.
- Be prepared to clear the area of excess personnel and begin working with the model one-on-one if she doesn't like the idea of having a large crowd around.
Try not to touch the girl. As a photographer, you must be aware of your intentions and be able to give clear instructions so that the model can realize them. This does not mean that you can treat the model as if it were an inanimate object. Be clear in your instructions on how to do what, rather than trying to pose the model yourself. Even if your intentions are not bad, touching a girl in any way while she is completely naked can be misinterpreted.
- Make it a rule to keep your hands away from the model, unless she herself asks you to help her take or reproduce a certain pose.
- A nude model is not a prop. Remember that the woman you are photographing is also a person who has every right not to be touched without permission.
Cooperate with the model. Give the model some freedom in how she poses. Encourage her to contribute her own personality to your project. It's likely that this won't be her first nude photo shoot, so with her experience and knowledge of her own body, she'll have a better idea of what looks best in photos. Feed off each other's ideas and draw inspiration from them.
- Make sure the model will agree to your requests before demanding them.
- Working with a model who knows how to help you make your vision a reality can be a very rewarding experience.
Conduct yourself professionally. Your interest in nude photography should be solely due to the fact that you see beauty, mystery and great expressiveness in the naked human body. Take the model seriously, perceive her as an experienced master of her craft with her own considerations. Never joke about her body or make suggestive or judgmental remarks. If you offend the model, she will begin to have a negative attitude towards working with you.
- If you seriously upset the model, she may be downright critical of your talents and advise others not to work with you either.

Try to make the photography process fun and good-natured. This will help build trust, lift spirits, and create a more pleasant social atmosphere.
Prepare a playlist with your model’s favorite music to make her feel more relaxed and confident during the photo shoot.
Ask your model to come to the shoot in loose clothing. This will avoid unsightly marks on the body from tight outfits.
When you're done taking photos, use a photo editor to improve the appearance of your photos, as well as remove any obvious flaws in your photos.
Ask your model to apply a thin layer of oil to her skin. A light shine will highlight the contours of the body and help achieve maximum results from the lighting.

Warnings

Ask the model for her opinion on editing her body features in photographs. Some models are more tolerant of this than others.
Be sure to ask your model for permission to touch her or film her in a new position.
Before posting photos, make sure that the model has nothing against other people seeing her photos.
Do not do anything to overstimulate the model during or outside of the photo shoot.

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