No pictures, but interested in a discussion on "The Nud

[Thorsten]

November 30, 2007 at 9:16 am

I thought it might be interesting to start an open discussion on the topic of “The Nude”. Anything goes really, provided it’s somehow useful, educational or otherwise informative or even if it’s just to voice your own thoughts or approach to the subject.

I had intended to post some of my own images here last night, but between one thing and another I simply didn’t get around to it. I’m delighted that this forum was created (thanks Mark). I don’t do a whole lot of art-nude (yet) but it’s an area I’d like to develop. There are a number of obstacles I need to overcome in order to do this. One obvious obstacle is models. There are hardly any reliable art nude models in Ireland that I know of, so this will continue to be on ongoing challenge.

Another obstacle is the whole area of trust. When I do find a model prepared to do art nude, I (and anybody else for that matter) need to be able to demonstrate that I’m not another GWC (Guy with Camera) simply looking for someone to get their kit off. There are so many “photographers” out there that have ulterior motices that it makes life very difficult for genuine photographers. I would like to think that I am now in a position where I can demonstrate my bona-fides to a model and that she can feel comfortable working with me. Getting there hasn’t been easy and has taken a long time, but it’s worth persevering with.

Yet another obstacle is my own creative vision. This is quite possibly the most difficult obstacle to overcome, IMHO. In a world where everything has been done before, how do you come up with a new angle or interpretation of an image? I have always believed that the two most challenging disciplines in photography are still life and art nude. People think that you simply need to put a pretty naked model in front of the camera and fire away and you’ll get a good shot. But without the clothes, you are left with nothing but the bare essentials and the only tools available to you are composition and light and it is so very easy to get it wrong.

I probably won’t be posting a whole lot of images here for quite some time, but I do intend to take an active part in this forum with a view to learning more about this genre and also helping others if I can.

[Mark]

November 30, 2007 at 11:55 am

Off topic, but wanted to say that once I upgrade the site here (waiting on final release of phpbb 3.0), I’ll be able to create
a subform(s) for critique and general discussion on the topic of nude/art nude etc… It’ll help to keep this area nice and clean
and hopefully easier to use.

Anyhow, until then continue on :)

Thanks

[Rob]

December 2, 2007 at 10:48 pm

Well done Mark on getting this started.
I’ve never shot nude before, though I do have an interest in perhaps
doing a little in the near future, just some creative ideas I’d like to try.
And I agree with Thorsten regarding the ‘creative vision’ being the most
difficult obstacle to overcome. But, as I mentioned in another thread
somewhere else on the site, there’s always a new way to see something;
you just have to find it and hopefully capture and interpret it.
It’s fairly daunting for me, but I do intend to be as active as possible here
and hopefully I can learn a little from those of you with experience in
‘this sort of thing’, as Father Ted might say…

Rob.

[jb7]

December 10, 2007 at 3:26 pm

There’s an interesting discussion going on on the Large Format Forum at the moment- with a lot of useful insights-
in particular, the contribution from Duane Polcou-

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=30125

References to drugs throughout the thread might seem a little bizarre, but should be read with this little news item in mind-

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=30056

[Thorsten]

December 10, 2007 at 3:56 pm

Thanks for posting that link, Joseph. Some important points raised there. One of the things that you often hear both models and photographers discussing a lot is the whole area of model safety and comfort. And yes, it is a very important to address this every step of the way. But people tend to forget photographers safety. Things can very quickly go horribly wrong for a photographer if they haven’t taken the time to prepare in advance. What’s to stop any model from making allegations against any photographer? I think the discussion you linked to highlights this very important fact by making references to alcohol, drugs, discussing ideas in advance of a shoot, model releases and chaperone’s. Ensuring a models comfort and safety at a shoot goes a long way towards avoiding and pitfalls in the future, but there are always extra precautions that can and should be taken where possible, but in a matter of fact professional manner (the last thing you want to do is scare your model away with endless pages of legalities!).

[Mark]

January 19, 2008 at 2:08 pm

You guys must be running out of ideas, as its gone very quiet in here ;)

[Rob]

January 20, 2008 at 2:27 pm

Mark wrote:

You guys must be running out of ideas, as its gone very quiet in here ;)

Or perhaps it’s just a little chilly of late for persuading people to
get their kit off… ;)

Rob.

[seanmcfoto]

January 21, 2008 at 4:44 am

I was supposed to have a shoot Monday but it was cancelled because.. er.. something came early?
Otherwise I’d have new material. No one commented on my last photo post anyhow :(

[Mark]

January 21, 2008 at 9:52 am

Good point Rob ! :)