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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Hints/tips for shooting nudes
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 02/09/2006 01:36:40 PM · #1
I am going to try to shoot some nudes for potential inclusion in a fundraising calendar (I'm not organizing it).

I have very limited experience and limited equipment.
Any tips on shooting tasteful nudes without a formal studio or studio lighting?

I have the 18-55 kit lens and the 70-200 f2.8.

Also, tips on taking flattering shots of normal sized, curvy women (ie not model thin)?


02/09/2006 03:08:33 PM · #2
bump
 02/09/2006 03:15:05 PM · #3
Lighting is essential in nudes. So, you need to have a good abundant light source. One such light source is available free - the sun.

Lokk at a lot of classic nudes and the light source is a north facing window (in the Northern hemisphere) ... it gives a very flattering and diffused light. So perhaps parlor shots would suit your needs, if you can find a "parlor" with a nice wide window.

Edit to add: Most studio nudes are mimmicking this technique with large soft boxes instead of diffused sunlight. So, you can still get very flattering nudes with just sunlight.

Also, you may consider outdoor nudes, woodland scenes or such.

Now ... nudes tend to be more accepted as art with a nice B&W treatment. I'm not by any means saying that color nudes are not art, but have found that in general, the public accepts nudity more readily if it is portrayed in B&W.

Message edited by author 2006-02-09 15:24:08.
 02/09/2006 03:16:37 PM · #4
Talk to the models and keep them calm. It's weird to stand in front of a camera naked. Make sure their comfortable that will help you out a lot.
 02/09/2006 03:17:04 PM · #5
Come to our workshop :)

nude/glamor workshop
 02/09/2006 03:19:10 PM · #6
Originally posted by iamkmaniam:
Talk to the models and keep them calm. It's weird to stand in front of a camera naked. Make sure their comfortable that will help you out a lot.


Very good pint. I make it a point to keep the subject occupied with other things, so as to take her mind off the fact that she is nude. Keep her talking and thinking.
02/09/2006 03:23:55 PM · #7
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Lighting is essential in nudes. So, you need to have a good abundant light source. One such light source is available free - the sun.

Lokk at a lot of classic nudes and the light source is a north facing window (in the Northern hemisphere) ... it gives a very flattering and diffused light. So perhaps parlor shots would suit your needs, if you can find a "parlor" with a nice wide window.

Also, you may consider outdoor nudes, woodland scenes or such.

Now ... nudes tend to be more accepted as art with a nice B&W treatment. I'm not by any means saying that color nudes are not art, but have found that in general, the public accepts nudity more readily if it is portrayed in B&W.


That's exactly the thoughts I had. Natural light coming in a window. Or outdoors.

And black and white is very much my thought. Though, due to the theme of the calendar - they do want at least one color in the shot. So it would have to be a selective desat.

Do you think my 70-200 would be a good lens - based on the 2.8 aperture and amazing sharpness? My kit lens tends to be a bit soft focused (though, that is not necessarily a bad thing with nudes).
 02/09/2006 03:25:07 PM · #8
Your best bet is to look through the challenges and see what kind of nude shots you want to do.
Some are sexy, some are sensual, some more abstract and less revealing.
See what you like and pick up what you want to do from what you can see.
 02/09/2006 03:27:01 PM · #9
Originally posted by AutumnCat:
...
Do you think my 70-200 would be a good lens - based on the 2.8 aperture and amazing sharpness? My kit lens tends to be a bit soft focused (though, that is not necessarily a bad thing with nudes).


The only problem I have with the 70-200 is that you are going to have problems getting full body nudes, if you are in a cramped space. For the outdoor nudes, yes it would work fine, but you might end up having to use the 18-55, if you want to do full body nudes indoors. Or perhaps choose poses that can get the full body into the frame.

Message edited by author 2006-02-09 15:30:35.
 02/09/2006 03:27:47 PM · #10
what? Kavin Riggs still hasn't written anything??? :-P
 02/09/2006 03:27:58 PM · #11
Oh, also - are there any cheap or common items I could use to enhance backgrounds or lighting?

Not needed so much if outdoors - but if we have an indoor bedroom type set up it might need some enhancement.
 02/09/2006 03:28:36 PM · #12
Originally posted by Anastasia:
what? Kavin Riggs still hasn't written anything??? :-P


Hey Kevin doesn't do nudes!
 02/09/2006 03:28:40 PM · #13
Boy, with your 70-200 you are going to have to have a big room to fit her all in without making the crop feel cramped. Maybe take a look at a typical room in your house and how far away you'd have to be to get a full figure.

Perhaps you could pick up a 50mm/1.8 somewhere? They are dirt cheat and make excellent portrait lenses. $75 roughly.
 02/09/2006 03:34:58 PM · #14
the beach and the 70-200 would be a good scene, especially if you can find some interesting rocks as a backround! Soft lighting for in a studioesk setup.
 02/09/2006 03:35:36 PM · #15
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Boy, with your 70-200 you are going to have to have a big room to fit her all in without making the crop feel cramped. Maybe take a look at a typical room in your house and how far away you'd have to be to get a full figure.

Perhaps you could pick up a 50mm/1.8 somewhere? They are dirt cheat and make excellent portrait lenses. $75 roughly.


Thanks for your input! Yes, it would take a large room. I may not be shooting in my house. And I was also thinking of doing more abstract shots, too.

But getting the 50mm would be a great idea (it's one I had thought of getting, anyway). Price is definitely doable.
 02/09/2006 09:40:18 PM · #16
A few hints on handling the models, so to speak...

Get the models to change into something like a bathrobe an hour before you start shooting, this is to make sure that their skin won't have indents from underwear or other clothing.

While your models are naked, respect their personal space and vulnerability - give them more personal space than you would otherwise, and NEVER touch them. Not to adjust a pose, not even to adjust their hair. Not even if you are the same gender as the model (the tutor in a nude modelling course I did observed that female photographers working with female models are the worst offenders here). If you need your model to do something, demonstrate what you need yourself, then get them to do it.

If your model needs to climb up onto something (table etc.) - try and provide a footstool to make it easier. It's harder to climb onto things with dignity when you're naked.

Like some of the others suggested, talking to the model is good, so that they feel relaxed and comfortable. I find some positive affirmation helps too - the odd comment along the way of "yes, that looks great" or similar helps the model feel comfortable about themselves. If they aren't comfortable, it will show in the photos and the results won't be as good. Try to avoid ANY negative comments about anything, even yourself, while you're shooting - if you shoot a bad shot, don't say it's bad, say "it's ok but I think we can do it better by...".

If you're able to have some background music playing, that's good too.

The other advantage of talking to the model is that sometimes they'll come up with good or interesting ideas for posing etc.

If you've got some source/inspiration materials in advance, that can help you start with posing, and then you move from there to other ideas of your own. The Nudes Index series is good for this, as is (in Australia) the Black and White magazine.

Make sure that the area is warm enough for the model to feel comfortable. If it's a little too hot for the photographer, then it's probably about right for the model. Unless you're TRYING to get goosebumps.

And above all, have fun!
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