Pascal Baetens. Nude Photography. The Art and The Craft. 2007

opportunities & choices 41

Ambiguity

deliberate unsharpness can create

intrigue in an image, especially

when the subjects are in motion.

in black and white the effect is

enhanced because the images

resemble stills from a surveillance

camera, adding to the mystery.

Simplicity
the clean, unfussy feel of this image is created
by the central position of the model, the
artlessness of the pose, and the absence
of distracting background elements.

The angular hairstyle is important to the
symmetry of the composition: this would be
a completely different picture if the model was
sporting wild, unruly hair.

If this image was in color you would see
yellow sand, green foliage, and very pink
sunburned upper arms. reducing it to black,
white, and gray gives it a serenity that would
otherwise be lost.

High contrast

this image makes use of contrast in two ways.

there is a strong contrast between the light and

dark areas, and also between the model and

her environment.

The image has a very cinematic feel.

the model’s pose is introspective and

thoughtful but she is looking into the

environment and in the direction of the light.

the position of her legs suggests confidence,

yet her arms are protective. if this was a film

still, what would the image say to you?

The concrete wall creates a frame around the

model. the softness of her skin contrasts with

the rough textures of her surroundings.

Grainy effect

Much of the character of this image lies in the

grainy texture—the result of using a fast,

sensitive film. Working with high iso values

on a digital camera will introduce “noise,” which

produces a similar effect.

Many image manipulation programs include

“grain” filters, which allow you to artificially apply

these kinds of effects to clean images.

The light is coming from the side, sculpting

the torso. details and close-ups work in a

graphic way, and the anonymity invites the

viewer to study the shapes and forms in detail.