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

46 defining styles & approaches

overcoming limitations

i like to think of limitations not as a handicap but as a gift; a

framework for creativity. Working with limited resources will

give you a positive attitude: you will look at the possibilities

offered by any model or location instead of focusing on

imperfections and restrictions. you will find the beauty and

charm of every model, every place, and every light—and

that will make you a happier and better photographer. if you

can learn to work in a humble way you will be better able

to make the most of any photographic opportunity and

meet any challenge that comes your way.

Cluttered backgrounds

perhaps you don’t even have an

empty room like the one above.

household clutter can be a

distraction in an image, but there

are ways of working around it. in

the image on the far right i simply

used my model to obliterate the

view of the living room, and in the

one on the right i placed her in the

lightest spot to draw the eye to her.

however, a cluttered environment is

often an authentic one, and can be

great for nude portraits.

One room, no props

here are two images taken in this simple little room,

with no additional light. Just a room and a window

offer plenty of opportunities for a successful

session. get your model to gaze out of the window,

shoot into the light to make silhouettes, ask her

to lie on the floor and shoot all around her, get her

to curl up in a corner... if your location is limited, let

your mind be free!