Exquisite Curves: Learn Composition and Posing for Photographing the Female Nude

The contours of the female body are a masterpiece of nature and were the inspiration for the title of this book. There are an infinite number of ways to represent this beauty. The photographer's role is to create work that is appealing, fitting, and meaningful. This book takes a two-pronged approach: first by teaching the academic and second by encouraging hands-on creativity. This guide presents the material through five main chapters: Composition, Technique, Posing, Self-Expression (Style), and Shooting Assignments. The instruction is intended to be accessible to any novice with a serious interest in the composition and posing of female nudes. You do not need to be an artist or a photographer to understand the material but a basic understanding of camera operation is assumed. It is written for the uninitiated and for those who have no more than a modest amount of experience with photography or composition. The book begins with a discussion of visual literacy and its importance. Next are the abstract elements of composition, such as lines, colors, value, mass, depth, illusion, time, and motion. A section on design principles instructs in the assembly of these elements. Visual pathways, including cyclical, triangular, and others, are explained. Methods of design such as the rule of thirds, the golden mean, diagonal method, armatures, and forty-five degrees are all described and illustrated. The design instruction is rounded out with a discussion of commonalities and pitfalls in the design methods. The various camera techniques range from controlling framing, focus, and lighting. There is information about high-key, low-key, and minor-key lighting, complete with histograms and diagrams that show where the lights are set up. The section on post-processing mentions the importance of vignettes, contrast, monochrome (black and white) images, color mapping, the zone system, isolating images, and making composites (montages). The book includes 100 examples of nude poses (in addition to the numerous other samples) grouped into sections, such as standing, furniture, and props. The section on style addresses why we make a photograph and what constitutes an artistic body of work. There is a discussion of how your choice of genre, whether it is pinup, glamour, or fine art, figure study, or commercial design, influences your composition. The examination of style would not be complete without addressing how to analyze your work and sources of inspiration. The shooting assignments are real-world exercises that provide an opportunity to put what you have learned into practice. The book is rounded out with a glossary, index, and bibliography. Who among us, even if we've never picked up a camera, hasn't wondered what it would be like to create a nude photo that we could claim as our own? But not just any nude; a stunningly beautiful woman. But such a woman wouldn't pose for just anyone, would she? This book is written for the serious beginner, the curious non-photographer, and even the moderately experienced photographer who needs a better grasp of recruiting and working with nude models. Understanding this book does not require comprehension of photographic technique. Many photographers spend countless hours seeking advice on how to find quality nude models and how to direct them in the studio. Too many photographers make initial contact with a model, only to be frustrated when she never follows through by booking a shoot. This guide addresses finding models and building a long-term working relationship. The author's assumption is that those who read this book are doing so largely because they want to photograph more suitable models more often. Recruiting and interacting with models is not as difficult as it may seem. Working with nudes can be easy. It is a common misconception that those of us who recruit women for nude modeling possess some kind of secret power. On the contrary, the more quickly you can dismiss notions of mysticism, the sooner you can get down to business. Photographing nudes entails more than just photographic technique; this guide is about the interpersonal and psychological elements that play a larger role here than in any other kind of people photography. Some photographers fail, simply because they're ignorant of the etiquette of working with models. With luck, it will help you avoid making missteps that many photographers commonly repeat. The author has photographed several hundreds of nude models, each of whom has come to him through one of the techniques described in this book. Since his experience is chiefly with female models, he writes from that perspective. This guide will tell you how to create a portfolio that will attract models and how avoid some common pitfalls and misconceptions about the proper way to display your images on the web. It will give you some simple tips on finding models without wasting your money on needless efforts. Most guides assume you've already found a willing model. This guide is for those who are having trouble finding the special models that will take your work to the next level. It also does not assume that you automatically know how to bring up the subject of nude shoots or etiquette for the studio. You will learn how to start a shoot, direct the model, and how to close the shoot. This includes handling payment and the model release. Not just any model release works for nude photos. The purpose of this guide is to fill those gaps with precise, in-depth advice. This guide focuses only on recruiting and working with models. Discussions of cameras and lights are absent; there are plenty of other books for that. Instead, this one is specifically about creating and maintaining a sound working relationship between photographer and model within the context of creating beautiful figure work. Some treatments of this subject are through rose-colored sunglasses, avoiding controversial topics altogether. Glossing over some of the more awkward aspects of working with models, such as difficult personalities, leaves the reader confused and unprepared. This book gives you the clear, unfiltered story by addressing contentious aspects and advising you of potential pitfalls. Things usually go smoothly, but that is not by chance. Sometimes you need to know how to prevent problems before they occur. There are plenty of models out there waiting for you to photograph them. This book will help you find them, work with them in the studio, and build a solid professional relationship. Learn to photograph beautiful nude female models by reading this book. This is the second edition of True Confessions of Nude Photography: a step-by-step guide to recruiting beautiful models, lighting, photographing nudes, post-processing images, and maybe even getting paid to do it. Prior experience with nude models is not required to benefit from this how-to guide. This guide can be enjoyed by anyone, but is written for two main audiences: the accomplished photographer wanting insight from a peer, and the serious amateur wanting a guided introduction to the field. The female body has been an inspiration for artists since before the invention of photography. Naturally, nudes were one of the first subjects of photography as well. Although the guide covers the basics of nude photography, it is assumed that you have a digital camera that is more advanced than a point-and-shoot and that you already understand the basics of operating your camera. This book deals with female models. You won't find male models or advice on photographing non-models in this book. Finding Models. Nude photography entails more than just photographic technique, there is a huge interpersonal element; much more so than in any other kind of people photography. The guide addresses everything from finding models, to working with them long term. Most guides on photographic technique assume you've already found a willing model. This one assumes that you're having trouble - or at least having trouble finding a model that you feel takes your work to the next level. It contains techniques for finding and recruiting models. Techniques. A range of processes are explained step-by-step. You'll find more than just a selection of photos and a dissection of each; you'll see full lighting diagrams as well as frank discussions of techniques and pitfalls in the days and weeks leading up to making a nude image. From finding your first nude model to selling your first nude photo, the guide presents complete, concise instruction on lighting, posing, and-post processing with Photoshop. The second edition is a major update. It is printed in a larger size than the original edition, and contains twice the amount of text (approximately 55,000 words.) Includes 126 pages, 221 nude photos, and 8 detailed lighting diagrams. Use Light to Photograph Nude Female Models This guide shows you how to use light to photograph nude female models and create various moods and effects. From the plainspoken to the artistic, each lighting configuration is diagramed in painstaking detail. Learn the art and skill of using light and controlling shadows from the author of True Confessions of Nude Photography. For those who loved the lighting section in the first book and want even more, this follow-up book concentrates purely on Nicholas' nude lighting style with updated images, text and diagrams. More than just studio lighting. From indoor to outdoor, studio to location, you'll learn what can be achieved and how to make it work for you. From just one light in a small room, to elaborate creative setups, everything is described. Shoot Great Nude Photos Photos you can actually create yourself. If you think that great photos require expensive lights, an enormous studio, and a team of assistants, this book will debunk that misconception. You may be surprised at how many ways you can shoot great nude photos you'll be proud of without breaking the bank. And there's plenty more you can accomplish if you do want to invest a few well placed dollars on some moderately priced equipment. This book doesn't promise that learning is easy or quick - your results will be based on your level of effort, but it is easier and quicker with a guide. 18 Lighting Setups with Diagrams There are sections on Equipment, Lighting Exercises, Lighting problems, Outdoor lighting, Studio Lighting. The lighting setups include the use of softboxes, umbrellas, snoots, gels, booms, diffusers, parabolic reflectors, water nudes, and a beauty dish. Techniques include isolation, backlighting, accent lighting, and fill light. Lights Camera Nude! includes an 18 lighting setups and over 80 example photos as well as a link to online bonus material exclusively for readers. 18 models, 80+ example photos, 100 pages, approximately 14,000 words of text.