Artistic Nude

[Mata]

What an interesting day of ‘Artistic Nude’ photography. Three hours went so quickly I felt I was just warming up.

It was great to have the experience of setting up and experiment with the lights, directing the model experiment with tethering and got a ‘Model Release Form signed. Everything went perfectly.

The model was great. I had discussed some ideas and asked her to share her thoughts at the start as well as we went along, especially as she has around ten years’ experience. She was actually pleased I had asked her and surprised? Apparently she doesn’t get asked for her ideas so she just does what she is asked even though she knows it could be done better? What a waste of her experience?

I am glad I decide to ‘Tethered’ the shoot. It allowed me to slow down and make adjustments with pose and some subtle changes to the lights. It only takes about 3-4 seconds for the full image to download on the computer. It also made the model more comfortable as she was able to view the larger shots on the laptop screen and agreed when the shot looked good and at times redo the shot for better affect.

My idea from the start was to do ‘Low Key (lights)’ photography. I think I succeeded fairly well for a first time shoot.

It’s also interesting to see what a contrast is between the ‘Low stage light’ shots which were taken about four weeks ago and this set.

It is interesting to see what a difference just a subtle change in the pose can have such a dramatic effect of the light as in the first two image below. A lift of the head is all it takes.

I haven’t done any editing yet, just some cropping to get the look I was after.

[Mata]

The images below were taken with lights from two different angles. Again the effect is so different. . I have kept the lamp in first image for affect.

[Mike Farley]

Thanks for posting your results. Good to know that you had an enjoyable day and developed a good working relationship with your model. Tethering in the studio is how many pros work as the larger display gives better feedback than the rear of the camera. It also makes collaborative working easier and keeps the art director happy.

You should try converting your shots to black and white while you are editing as this can add to the artistic effect. I would remove the light from the first shot of the second post as it is a distracting highlight and looks like a mistake. I can imagine an image where the light is included, without necessarily looking like a "how I did it" shot, but you would need to show more of it to make it clear to the viewer that was your intention.

[Mata]

I am going to make a proper start on editing all the photos I have kept that I think are of a good enough quality starting (hopefully) by the end of next week when I will have finished my remaining workshops.

The ‘Artistic Nude’ photos that I decide to keep, are all going to be edited and converted to Monochrome.

You are right about the lamp. It was more of an afterthought then planned.

It just happens that I have an idea building up about doing a ‘Lamp and model interaction shoot’. I being the observer taking the photos? Something for next year to ponder on.

I have done a simple editing of the ‘lamp’ image and converted it to Black & White below. It’s something I am going to play around and see what theme develops.

[Mata]

These were taken last week.

I didn’t think they came out too well as I was using three lights and may have over-done-it?

I thought I might as well experiment with black and white. They have come out better than I expected.

This model was also taller and slightly slimmer the one above. She has a lovely ‘S’ curve to her pose.

[Mike Farley]

Hi Jay

I agree about the lighting being a bit overpowering in this shoot and in some of the images you seem to be getting close to blown out highlights. The shot which works best for me is the solarised one at the end, which makes the subject nicely abstracted, although it is a pity that you lhave lost the detail in her hair.

In this month's* Digital SLR Photography magazine there is an article about a shoot John Wright did for the naked issue of Women's Health magazine in which the subjects were women who have achieved success in their own fields and are not professional nude models. Remarkably he managed to get them relaxed enough working with him that they agreed to go completely uncovered when they had started by insisting they would not remove their bras. Most of the shots were taken with the subject standing vertically and the image was subsequently rotated through 90 degrees to make it look as though they are floating.

This is a link to the set: http://www.johnwrightphoto.com/womenshealth

* I.e. the January edition. At least unlike some magazines, it will still be on sale during the month in which it is dated.

[Mata]

I am experimenting with light at the moment. I have a number of other lighting ‘techniques’ I want to try and then I will have a better understanding what works best. I am playing around with the effects at the moment. Trying to see what works for me. I like the ‘solarised’ look as well. I have done plenty with different images, some work better than others. It’s something I am going to spend time on to prefect the technique and create some pre-sets for future use.

Thanks for the link. Found the images interesting. The rope ‘prop’ works really well (It helps he has warehouse for a studio).

I like the website design. Very simple. Let the content speak for itself. No frills or heavy flash. Like it very much. Just the design I was looking for myself.

You have been more helpful then you realise!!

[Mike Farley]

I am glad that you found my post useful. For myself, I am torn between the simplicity and lack of information on his website. As an example, not being much of a sports fan I did not recognise many of the people in that section and a simple caption would have helped.

[Mata]

It seems the New Year has started with a Bang. Been out and about since Saturday.

Need time for processing.

This Nude shoot I did in Stratford, East London with an experienced model on Monday. The concept was ‘Nude in a box’ and worked very well.

The model had bruised knees by the time we finished. Lol

I have had to re-size it a couple of times before it could be uploaded.

I have had to re-size it a couple of times before it could be uploaded in order to keep the box concept. I have strengthened the coloured ones.

[Mata]

This was an interesting experiment with a projector. Images projected on a nude female model.

I think the darker and stronger colour works best. Used a slow shutter with a tripod as there was little light other than the projection image.