The Nude Genre

Firstly, let me say that it's pleasing to see that you've gotten comfortable with the whole genre and that your worries have eased in time!

In terms of asking why I shoot nudes, I shoot all levels from fashion right through to nude, but I think that when it's done right the results can be great!  I appreciate traditional art nude but I also appreciate creativity and there's quite a range between the two, so for me I think I like the challenge of capturing nudes in interesting and artistic ways.  On a side note, I hope that our paths cross one day! :)

Apart from the aesthetics of the nude female, I believe photographing nudes sets me apart from many "ordinary" photographers that either don't get the chance or lack the courage to shoot nudes.

I don't shoot many "art" nudes, mainly going for the boudoir style. Probably because that's the sort of images I appreciate most (I think studio images are often a little clinical). It also suits my style of looking for interesting angles & ambient light.

As an aside, I love the added confidence in "older" models which gives the images a more natural or "real" feel. Their expressions are often better than models who just "pose".

Why do I sometimes take pics of nude models? I haven't a clue! I've never tried to analyse it. [Sorry - I'm not much help, am I?] 

But I agree with Mr.Nammett --- In common with a lot of us on here, you clearly enjoy doing what you're doing. And it's good to see a nice upbeat, positive post.   

I very rarely shoot nudes these days. I think it is the limited places you can upload/display them these days. I also don't constantly upload PP with images. I think the nude interest has been flooded, with images where lighting is not careful, the theme is more sexual than artistic, editing is often non-existent or OTT. This has led to not really noticing some of the more interesting, well crafted nudes. Will I be shooting the nude genre again? Yes,  but I am fussy about the subject I photograph. I want to create rather than shoot someone naked for the sake of it.

I think I mainly shot location nudes as I lack the imagination for clothes and studio work.

Far easier to as a model to pose sympathetically with their environment if they are naked, rather than worrying about colour / style clash.

It's also significantly less gear for the model to carry when on the train and walking to the location.

I don't book anything like the number of shoots with nude models I should like to, due to limited finances, and I only take my photos in hopes of making drawings or paintings from the results, which for me is where the real fun begins. Drawing people, nude or clothed I do not find easy (never have) and so I get a buzz when I "win" at my own game (against myself). For me, there is nothing more beautiful or more difficult to paint than a beautiful woman (also children). On my easel at the moment is a landscape, more specifically a ruined English abbey on a sunny morning, and if I don't get that crumbling stonework quite right, or I paint that tree taller than it actually is, or even in the wrong position, I know I shall still end up with a pleasing painting (and few, if any, people looking on, will spot any of my "mistakes"). I can relax. However, make just a few slight mistakes while painting a nude woman and those will shine out like proverbial sore thumbs (it's biological apparently; our attention is finely tuned to looking at our fellow humans, more so than other things). My heroes in the art world like Van Eyck, Holbein, Van Dyke, Waterhouse, Ritzberger, Bourgereau, Boucher, etc. etc, fill me with pure awe and where painting human beings were concerned, they could all "paint the socks off anybody" and I just love it!       

Although I enjoy most genres, my favourite is nude in nature (when executed well by both parties). I do not enjoy nude just for the sake of nude and try to be selective with who I work, although it's not always possible.

I guess my appreciation for nude started during my artistic education, in college and throughout university. I always admired nude statues and works of art, but then during my studies I got the chance to draw life models and really enjoyed it. It made me realise that it's something I could do and that my body can be art too. It can be really empowering and freeing, and it's such a joy when I get to create with someone who shares my vision and is talented and passionate about their craft.

I got into photography - other than family snaps- via the nude genre.  And by nude I mean not implied, not concealed, not boudoir, not adult: Just plain nude.

My wife asked me to photograph her at what she felt was her physical peak: 41 since you (didn’t) ask. 😁.  Seemingly I met and exceeded her high creative expectations.  A lighting course followed and I went from there.

But that start has coloured my approach to the nude.  With a few early exceptions I photograph women not girls……over 25 preferably over 30.  I find as you mention Holly Alexander that at that age models are much more comfortable in their own skin.  They don’t have to try so hard and are clear what they want from each shoot.  (Obviously, that is beyond payment - I never do TFP).  I also try to focus on physicality.  I prefer athletic, even muscled models and, again mostly, go for minimalist staging.

I do shoot clothed, street, portraits, etc probably up to 50% of the time but even for that work I always choose models who work to nude.  It’s always my starting point.  This is again because those models who work to nude seem to exude confidence and physicality that shines through even the most constrained clothed shoot.

Finally, I am unconstrained by ‘the limited places [I] can upload/display’ my work as that’s not my driver.  I do exhibit locally when I can.  I have sold images and friends and relatives are used to seeing my images displayed around my place.  But I do it for the sheer enjoyment I get out of the images I produce.  

Before I started nude photography I didn’t think I had an artistic bone in my body.  Now, thanks to my beloved, I and her continued support, I consider myself a real artist…..if somewhat low key and manqué.

I really appreciate this post and can't wait to read through it all properly. I've considered, for the future, doing art nude but I am terrified of it impacting future careers, of my personal life, of regretting it, having nude images of me out there that I may not love. What if I want to get into a career and it's a barrier?

I've had a think about why I do it. 

It's probably because I like shapes and shadows, and I think that often works best with a nude model. Although I've done a bit of adult stuff, for most of my nude stuff I prefer it to be non-sexual - i.e. stuff that does NOT make blokes go 'phwoar!'. I often think it's a shame that some folk automatically associate nudity with sex. But that's another topic.   

Some of my favourite nude shoots have been outdoors. With outdoor stuff I have a strong preference for 'a picture with a model in it' rather than a picture of a model. (I hope that makes sense!)  

Another possible reason for doing nude stuff is that I can. I love high fashion stuff and a lot of beauty stuff, but I'm absolute rubbish at those styles. I've tried, but I just don't have an eye for it or the ability to convert an idea into a picture. I become frustrated at my lack of ability. But I like to think that, with the help of a good model, I can turn out a half-decent 'shapes and shadows' style nude pic; so even if other people think my stuff is rubbish, it gives me enjoyment. And that's why I do this - for enjoyment. 

Alyssa Taylor said

I really appreciate this post and can't wait to read through it all properly. I've considered, for the future, doing art nude but I am terrified of it impacting future careers, of my personal life, of regretting it, having nude images of me out there that I may not love. What if I want to get into a career and it's a barrier?

you mentioned all the reasons for you why you shouldn't do it. Once it's out there there is no going back from it.  Art nude models are my favourite models, I've worked with some amazing models who are proud to be doing what they do and what they are creating, are completely comfortable in their own skin and couldn't care less what the muggles think.  That doesn't suit everyone and their lifestyle. 

Allesandro B Absolutely. I'm extremely confident within myself but I know art nude isn't for me at this point in time and I'm happy sticking with concealed levels. But I know in the future, I may be open to art nude at a time I feel is right for me. I love this thread and reading many people's perspectives:)

Years ago, while a student studying film lighting, I was told to start with an egg to understand how light falls, how it shapes and gives modelling to a an object.

And then came flash which was a steep learning curve.  So nudes were the obvious place to start and, though I rarely shoot nudes now, the learning continues.

Alyssa Taylor said

Allesandro B Absolutely. I'm extremely confident within myself but I know art nude isn't for me at this point in time and I'm happy sticking with concealed levels. But I know in the future, I may be open to art nude at a time I feel is right for me. I love this thread and reading many people's perspectives:)

I'm sure you would be fab if that was a path you chose and I think it's good that you know the potential pitfalls and are not lured into it. 

My favourite genre is nude location work as a model. As a photographer I don't shoot as much nudity but thats maybe because I am super selective on themes and images and I won't shoot nude for the sake of it.

When modelling nude on location I feel so free and liberated and love the contrast between skin and the rocks waterfalls forests etc, I am not as keen on studio nudity unless it has super creative lighting or a good theme or story to the image, just a model standing there starkers or laying with legs spread for the sake of it is not art to me, I see so much of it on here and it does nothing for me, I have done nudity and a little OL but they either have a story to them or creative lighting / shadows / gels etc. I think alot of photographers shoot it for their own gratification and that is absolutely fine but as a model it can be a bit soul destroying just stood there bollocko with no inspiration theme or mood while someone takes hundreds of images of your body with lack lustre lighting against a studio wall. I tend to decline tags on these sort of images as they just don't fit what I want on my own portfolio. I have nothing against people that do this but it would be nice if more folk were more creative with nudity, seen enough readers wives style images to last me a lifetime.