defining styles & approaches 33
introduction
this section shows you the best ways of getting started as a fine art
nude photographer and of developing your personal style.
the first questions are about themes. do you want to photograph
intimate nudes, glamorous nudes, erotic nudes? do you like to tell stories
with your pictures, or portray the models in a way that reflects how you feel
about them? or are you more interested in looking for shapes and forms?
you may choose to work mainly in black and white or in color. Both
approaches have their pros and cons. Many nude photographers prefer
to work in black and white, since it places more
emphasis on tone and form and avoids some of
the distractions of color. then again, if you work
in color you can play with warm and cold hues,
primary and pastel shades, harmony and contrasts.
how will you react to unexpected photographic
opportunities that come your way? Will you ignore them and stick to your
original plan, or incorporate them into your work? are you going to
overcome limitations of budget, equipment, space, time, and experience,
and turn those challenges into opportunities? are you confident in your
use of hairstyling, makeup, and props, and able to use them selectively so
as to contribute positively to the overall effect?
then there are your models. Where will you find them? how do you
approach them? What body type works best for your imagery? you will
find suggestions on these pages, but approaches, tastes, and
preferences are all highly personal, so what i have done is to run through
the key questions to be considered before arriving at your own decisions.
having found your models, how will you make them feel at ease? how are
you going to direct them into expressing the mood you choose for your
image, and convey to them clearly what you have in mind? for how much
of your time do you need to play the movie director directing his or her
actors rather than working on perfecting a still pose?
nude photography is a fascinating craft, but remember that working
with people, just as in standard model photography, is all about human
interaction, in which open, respectful, and crystal-clear communication
is an absolute necessity.
