Nude Photography

Nude photography is a style of art photography which depicts the nude human body as a study. Nude photography should be distinguished from erotic photography, which has a sexually suggestive component.

Many photographers consider an art nude photograph to be a one that studies the human body, rather than the person. A photograph of a person that is meant to be recognized is called a portrait, and nude photographs often do not show a face at all. Nude photography is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. As an art form, nude photography is a stylized depiction of the nude body with the line and form of the human figure as the primary objective. Photographers sometimes use extremes of light and shadow, oiled skin, and shadows falling across the body to show texture and structure of the body. [1]

Early photographers often depicted the nudity of women like the one we see here by Félix-Jacques Moulin. Many, like Edward Weston, Ruth Bernhard and Jerry Avenaim, preferred to depict the lines of a body as a piece of art. They imported from the terminology of painting the terms art nude and figurenude to avoid suggestions that their works were erotica or pornography.

The art has of taking pictures has changed dramatically decade by decade both because of technology and the way we view pictures. Even at the begging of last century taking pictures was a relatively cumbersome process that only a professional that had dedicated much time to learning the process could undertake.

Nude Photography roughly took the same path as conventional photography. BY the roaring 20's it was fairly commonplace. I believe that a woman's body was thought of as beautiful if she was heavier than is more common these days.

Nude photography following the classic model set forth by the old masters can be considered art, no question. Using the human body as a landscape and using various lighting techniques, again is really art.

Where you can get into the pornographic arena is when the images intent is to titillate and stimulate the viewer by showing implied or actual sexual acts, with or without the benefit of a good photographers shooting the scene. Generally if poor photographers are shooting such scenes, it is sometimes called "amateur" porn and when there is some thought or pre-visualization involved, it is just called porn.

That is easy to say, but depending upon the culture and social and religious standards any and all nude imagery can be considered porn at any given time in our history

Best thing to do is to put together a portfolio. You can get this started by attending a photographer workshop or looking into photo or art courses in your area.

Once you have some good photos you can put up a website, or publish on other photography sites

As for tips, the one thing that you should always remember, always act courteously and professionally in all your dealings with a model or any client. The one sure way to permanently end your photography career in a real big hurry is to act inappropriately with your subject, nude or otherwise.

For ideas on photos, just take a look at other peoples work, the simplest way is to look around the internet. See what you like and what you don't. Once you see something you like try and figure out how it was created and attempt to duplicate it. Then experiment until you develop a technique of your own.

It depends. Models starting out sometimes do "TFP", which means they will Trade For Prints--model for free in exchange for professional photos they can use in their own portfolio.

Nude Photography is the tasteful depiction of the human body, relatively little erotica in the pictures, just good photography with all kinds of models. Nude photography does not require raving beauties to pose.

Erotic Art Photography...requires better than average looking models posed in suggestive ways, but not XXX rated. A very fine line to tread, but many good photographers do it daily...it is suggestion, not overt here.

Glamour Photography: Taking pictures of people, showing them at their very best...netting to soften the picture, dream-like qualities are often used. Nothing to do with nude or erotic photography. Glamour shots are a common gift, and certainly a great idea, as the subject is present at their very best for whatever age they are.

What do they think about Michelangelo's David? The Venus de Milo? These are considered classical pieces.

Unfortunately, we are conditioned to see the nude human form as obscene, bad, forbidden. Hopefully, society will get over this. I have no problem with tastefully done nude photographs, they help me on my own studies of the nude body.

I honestly believe that so many people equate nude and porn because both nudity and pornography have the same restrictions applied to them by the FCC, at least on regular television. CBS was fined a half million dollars for a one second boob shot, which isn't even a sexual thing! (I wonder if the fine would have been more if it had been male or female genitalia exposed instead...somehow I doubt it).

Also, both porn and nude are associated with fear and embarrasment. People are afraid to be seen naked because they are taught it is wrong. Some Christians cite Adam hiding from God because he was naked as proof that nudity is wrong, but I don't believe that...he hid because he was bad, and told a feeble lie like a young child who didn't want to get caught.

The same with porn...so many people don't want to admit they watch sometimes, yet the industry makes billions every year, and is one of the few consistently profitable markets on the internet. Go figure.

So because they have all the same taboos on them, people assume they are the same.

Many jobs require a fair amount of true hands on experience. Photography is one. However, if you could find some on line classes somewhere that allowed you to e-mail in your work and progress, to be evaluated by a "teacher", you just may be able to learn - on line.

The key here is you would still be doing the actual work of taking pictures and working with real people. Just reading and looking at other people work would not give you the physical experience needed.

First of all you need to create an establishment of credentials. You don't want to just walk up to a lady, state you are a photographer and say you'd like to photograph her nude. Create an official business out of it. Have a website designed and create some business cards to show that you are more than just some creep off the road. On the business card state that you are a glamour / budoir photographer. Mainly because glamour isn't just nudes. It's a high impact style all by itself aimed at creating a bold feeling.

Have clients who have appreciated your work spread the word around to start and offer an incentive to them. For every referral they bring your way, offer a free 8x10 good for any sitting. Word of mouth is the fastest and cheapest form of advertising out there.

Once your name is slowly starting to spread. Work your occupation into the casual conversation. When someone asks to know more, hand them a business card. Don't pursue the matter unless they ask more about it. Let them call you and then arrange a formal meeting to sit and discuss more details. Also - if you want to be professional, don't limit your clientele to females. You may not like it, but there are men out there (though a small percentage) that will want to have a photograph or two taken.