Nude Series
1. Introduction
2. Finding a nude model
3. Posing your model
4. Artistic nudes
5. Implied nudesThere is a fine line between glamour nude photography and artistic nude photography; some of the images that follow in this article some will say are glamour not artistic. It is in the eye of the photographer or the purpose behind each shot. Don’t judge by what you can see or cannot see but how the artistic talent or view is conveyed.

Pose, light and props can be the clay of the artistic nude photographer and how each one is used can convey different messages, we encourage you to experiment with all three to discover how beautiful the human form can be portrayed.

Light and pose

Strong shapes and the subtle use of light can produce dramatic artistic nudes, keep lighting simple but plan how you want each shot to look, learning how light works and how it casts shadow is an important skill of the nude photographer. Apart from basic studio lighting, natural light is a brilliant source a window and a reflector can bath a model in subtle light, just be careful you don't give someone an eye full outside they were not expecting.



Experiment with light start out by keeping it simple with either a full white background or a full black background. Both produce their own effects you might find a liking to one more then the other depending on your emerging style.

You would think that you would require sophisticated lighting but that could not be further from the truth. A simple single light with a reflector can produce most of the effects seen here.

We don’t just have to silhouette but can bath the model in light as well, I cannot emphasise enough the creative use of light and the effects it can have on each shot to completely change the mood of the image.

Props and keeping it fun

Props can be used to achieve many goals, to make it fun, more sexy or something random to challenge the viewer. Think outside the box, as you never know how the strangest object might just turn a normal shoot into something a little special. The following images are just that, the most random of an object that worked to produce an amazing set of female artistic nudes.

Body parts

Shooting just a part of the body is not only quite sexy it also often produces some of the most artistic of shots, often wall hanging worthy. Shooting body parts can be a great way to start the road into nude female photography, you can get by with simple lighting and the most basic of studio areas.



Kis! Keep it simple, experiment shooting all angels with the same light positioned the same each time, see how by just moving around the light-source the whole feel for the image changes. Don't be afraid to experiment and try whatever props you might have laying around. Use high heels to accentuate long lines in standing poses, use plain backgrounds to begin with and above all get to know hoe light creates shadow and wraps or falls over a subject.

Top tips for shooting artistic female nudes

1. Be creative, think about how you can bring a new idea to the subject, we don't want to see the same well used poses over and over again so get creative.

2. Simple lighting, less is more in many cases focus on form and strong lines, experiment with light.

3. Try warm light, adjustable studio lights will give a much warmer skin tone especially with no back-lighting. I also suggest using a diffuser if you are controlling the lights, to make sure there are no harsh shadows are falling over the scene.

4. Positioning your model to make the perfect pose making sure all body parts are perfectly positioned and framed right down to your models finger tips and toes.

5. Find the best camera angle and try different view points. Your camera positioning can have a strong impact on your model and overall theme of the shot. Start at eye level height and experiment from there. Shooting your subject from a lower level will give your subject a more imposing or strong look.

6. Expose for the shadows so we can convert to black and white, it is better to expose for the lowlights than the highlights with digital photography so take note and expose for the shadow. (If your shooting digital)

7. Shoot in RAW, we can easily get creative with white balance and gives a far greater latitude for processing.

8. Perspective, having the model look directly into the camera can create a completely different effect, try experimenting with different looks and lighting combinations.

9. Trust The model need not be sexually alluring. In fact, there are only two physical requirements and one emotional requirement. The two physical requirements are good skin and a well-proportioned figure. Since photography is an art, it might also be good to have a woman with a body that is not so perfect. Leonard Nimoy experimented with this.

10. The emotional requirement is trust. The model should feel comfortable with you as a photographer. This is why male photographers who are new to nude photography normally choose their wives or girlfriends as models.