NUDGE PHOTO. GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS – 5 SIMPLE STEPS
Nu-photography over the years has been one of the most controversial and difficult genres of photography to master. This was mainly because this kind of filming follows a thin line between aesthetic art, which causes deep emotions without censorship, and soft porn, which causes arousal and sexual tension.
Dot the i. Nu-photography reveals the amazing essence of human nature: its fragility, endurance and playfulness. Traits that are most often hidden under clothing and accessories indicate a connection with culture, religion, or ideology.
But how to separate from this context and remove someone’s intimate authenticity without creating the wrong impression? In this article, we will share a few tips on how to make your models more comfortable during a nude photo shoot and how to successfully conduct such a shooting. Do not worry, we will also touch on technical details – especially for geeks!
Most likely, you are going to work with an inexperienced model, which, despite its uncertainty, still expects you to present it in the best light.
It is a bit difficult, to say the least, especially if you are working with a model for the first time. So be sure to take the time to build a mental connection and create an atmosphere in which the model will feel at ease in front of the camera. You can, for example, show her your portfolio or offer a couple of posing options that you consider most appropriate for her physique. If in doubt, you can always take inspiration from the works of recognized masters of nude photography: you will be inspired by Helmut Newton, Bill Brandt or Andreas H. Bittensic.
No matter how familiar you are before the shooting, in any case there must be a border between you and your model. Never touch her or look at her, she already agreed to appear naked in front of you.
Take a few pictures and ask for feedback. Does she feel comfortable enough, or perhaps she wants to try a different angle, which she considers more advantageous for herself? This increases the confidence of the model and convinces her that she gets what she needs without looking like a frightened animal at the zoo.
Alternatively, you can reflect the intended position and ask to do the same, talk about the emotions that you want to convey through the photo.
The most common mistake when shooting a nude photo is to flood the model with too much light. Not. Do it. This
You only overexpose the picture and leave no room for secrets. Instead, create powerful images with illuminated rim light – a type of lighting that only emphasizes the silhouette of the object, that is, it creates a halo effect. To do this, use a small softbox or strip to control where the light falls on your model. Place it behind her so that he looks towards the camera and the stream of light just touches the skin surface, leaving the rest of the body in the dark.
Setting up is quite simple, and the result can help any novice photographer to gain confidence.
In nude photography, less is more. This happens for two reasons: not all people are 100% confident in themselves when they are naked, and not every viewer appreciates the scrupulous nature of this type of art. For an implied feeling of nudity, use some props, such as drapery, furniture, or a blanket to cover some areas of the model’s body. The model can use its own hands and clasp itself with them, or bend to better emphasize certain parts of the body, such as the body (for women) and the spine (for men). Remember that the focus of a photograph is not actually nude.
Not every person is proud of his freckles, scars, spots on his skin, or something else. That is why very often shooting in monochrome is best suited for nude photography. It makes shooting less about the body and more about the true essence of the model. However, remember that this approach is not a panacea at all. You can work with models whose natural skin color blends so well with the background that you want to keep images in color.
One more tip before we finish. It is worth mentioning again that nu-photography reflects pure emotions and the essence of human nature. While you may be tempted to work exclusively with sporty, slim models who can pose for Vogue at any time of the day or night, think about absolutely real people.
