The Nude & Photography-study of line, shape & form

Nude photography is not what many people think it is and I don't feel like writing more than I have too in defense of it.

Nude photography has been around since the invention of the camera, even longer, nudes have been portrayed in well known works of art. Portrayal of the human body is also as old as the Greek and Roman civilizations and their very well known marble statues.

Nude photography is not erotic photography where the intention is to suggest sexuality. Nude photography is also not pornography, where images are meant to show explicit sexual acts. Nor is nude photography the same as glamour or boudoir photography, although they can sometimes intermingle. Both glamour and boudoir emphasize the model.

In its essence, nude photography is a medium in which the form and shape, line and texture of the human body is the main element and its main emphasis. In most types of photography, the model or the subject are easily identifiable, most portraits show the model's face, in opposition, most nudes rarely show the model's face or at least the face is not clearly recognizable. The emphasis is, again, on the form and line of the body itself.

A search of photographic nudes will yield ample results in which you can see nudes portrayed as unrecognizable entities, under extreme or with very creative lighting, and on artistic poses which emulate the artists of old.

The market for nude photography is geared or aimed towards the production of images to be used as artistic impressions, the same as it would be with standard paintings. There is also a market for nudes in the calendar, poster and greeting card industry, although they are not easily found, and no you can't get them at Wall-mart. Book publishing is also a lucrative arena for nudes. The key is to represent them in tasteful poses where the form, shape, line and texture are the main points.

Contrary to other types of photography, most nudes do not emphasize the typical model persona or body type, instead most use models that are regular everyday people like you and me, most nude photos show parts of the body or just enough to hint.

Nude photography is well suited for the studio although nature offers very suitable forums to showcase it. Creative use of light adds an exciting venue which lends itself quite well for this type of photography also.

Nude photography is very adept for black and white photography as this type of medium has the characteristic of highlighting shape, line and form more than its color counterpart. Plus as many would say, black and white photography adds charm and intrigue to any photograph and any subject.

Regardless of the photographer's intentions, laws governing nudity must be followed, such as the signing of model releases, which is nevertheless required for any modeling shoots, as well as laws concerning the use of minors in any photography genre, and never ever in nude photography.

Bottom line never overlook laws that govern this type of photography, be tasteful yet creative, use proper submission guidelines and always be professional.

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