Human body has always been a popular theme to depict in fine arts. But how does one make it look artistic rather than vulgar? We will now investigate a little about how a glamour artist can accomplish mastery on this delicate subject.
Nude portraits are not about our physical desires – they are all about art. They may be rather bold or provoking or sexual, yet they provoke thoughts rather than carnal excitement and raise emotions much subtler than plain loathing. This is all theory though – to hell with it, it’s high time to see how it is done in practice!
I have prepared 7 must-read tips & tricks for you to use and build up proficiency in matters of nude Glamour Photos - as well as motivate yourself properly.
- It is important to feel the border between artistry and vulgarity: as a photographer, you need to pursue the former, not the latter. Make emphasis on body shapes and texture. Unless you know what you’re doing, refrain from depicting genitals - not many photographers know how to make them look appropriate on a nude glamour portrait. Rely on your artistic taste to decide what will look great and what should be avoided - it is a more reliable criterion than strict rules of glamour photography;
- Don’t overload your model with trinkets and jewelry – when it comes to nude photography, human body must dominate the shot. To create an impression of glamour and elegance, you only need something pretty and sophisticated to complement the composition - but not to draw the viewer’s attention away from your model;
- For practical purposes one should always avoid using so-called “hot lights” in a studio. Cold lights consume less electricity, create less heat and prove to be more flexible when it comes to studio lighting. In order to acquire more subtle light, use soft-boxes. In fact, softer lighting always contributes to the atmosphere of your nude portraits, so don’t disregard with this opportunity;
- Watch out for the proportions: shooting from too high or too low might make your model look either a long-legged giraffe or a humpty-dumpty. You don’t want any of that, do you?
- Get inspired. Different poses, lighting angles or backdrops and accessories will certainly deliver you several great variations on the same motif;
- Can’t you forget that your camera has its limit of exposures and you have the limit of time? I mean it - to call your session successful, you need lots of material to look through. Even hardcore glamour photographers make some several thousand pictures in one studio session – so they could later pick really astounding images;
- Establish a connection with your model. She is not a “main character” of your shots, but the one who plays a vital part in the process. She is not simply posing nude but co-creating. If your model feels uncomfortable, you won’t get anywhere – even if you’re Helmut Newton!
Shooting nude portraits is not easy - as well as being into Beauty Photography. Yet you can achieve a lot if you keep practicing and pushing on. As they say, with one step you can start a trip of thousand miles! In the case of glamour artists one flash is enough.