Nude portraits undoubtedly belong to the most popular subgenres of glamour photography. However, it’s far from easy to shoot aesthetically flawless pictures without falling into vulgarity – so how can the latter be avoided? Let us see in which way glamour photography can make it happen.

Nude photographs first of all serves an artistic purpose, and so it is meant to create an appropriate impression – that of aesthetics rather than “oh, what a pretty lass!” kind of rapture. 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. Let us turn away from ethereal and boring theory, though, and get down to practice!

Here you find 7 techniques and pieces of advice to guide you through the basics of nude Glamour Images and provide some valuable insight as well as priceless mindset.

• It is important to feel the border between artistry and profanity: as a photographer, you need to pursue the former, not the latter. Accentuate the natural curves of model’s body, nuances of texture, light and shadow – great nude images emerge out of these visual trifles. Displaying too intimate details should be avoided – people usually feel uncomfortable when staring at someone’s genitals. Let your sense of taste take flight – if you’ve got one (and you must have, otherwise why in the world would you take interest in glamour photography), nothing can go wrong;
• You shouldn’t fall victim to the game “look how much junk I managed to stuff into this picture!” – your model is to wear only essentials that contribute to the mood of the picture and correspond to basics of good taste. 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;
• Don’t use hot lights for lighting if you don’t want your model to melt down like a snowwoman. Cold lights consume less electricity, create less heat and prove to be more flexible when it comes to studio lighting. If you need a softer, more diffused light, using fost-boxes is always the most desirable option. Actually, always try to make light as soft as possible – it creates a proper mood;
• Don’t let the laws of optics stand in your way to creating a nude masterpiece: the shooting angle can alter the proportions and make your model either too tall and thin or too short. You don’t want any of that, do you?
• Get inspired. To break the limits and stereotypes, combine and try different approaches, styles and techniques – the outcome may be truly astounding;
• 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. No good photographer takes less than a thousand of pictures per session – just to have a vast choice;
• Communicate with your model, make her feel at ease. She is more than merely a model, but your best friend and a co-author. Your model is the second most important person behind the creative activity – if not the first. A model who doesn’t feel comfortable can ruin the shot, however skilled you are!

Nude photography is not easy – nor is Glamourous Photography in general. Everything can be accomplished, however, if you try hard and do your best. As they say, with one step you can start a trip of thousand miles! We, fellow-photographers, can do it with a single flash.

Improve Your Photography