^{photo by Goldmund via iStock}

Fine art nude photography is slightly different from the sometimes radically different form of nude photography with lots of variation possible in how it’s approached and presented. The basic rules and tips can still apply, several are listed in our article 10 Nude Photography Tips. 

We’ve talked before about some of the reasons for trying out this genre. Let’s now look at some tips for fine art nude photography from professional photographers that can help us get started or get better. 

Use Partial, Implied Nudity

For fine art nude photography, oftentimes a view or pose that doesn’t show actual nudity will be more interesting than fully nude images. This works because it becomes an exercise in presenting art to the viewer.  

Of course, some other times, using specific body parts or a full view of male or female nudity can also be fine art nude photography, just don’t limit yourself to feeling like all nude photography projects require complete nudity. Learn more about nude male photography on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

Shoot In Monochrome

 ^{photo by miljko via iStock}

Working in black and white has been a staple of fine art nude photography for decades of the art form’s existence. Monochrome reduces the experience for presenter and viewer to basics of light, shadow, form, and texture.  

Monochromatic fine art nude photography isn’t limited to black and white, either. Experiment with different colors of light or lens filters. This can add an air of surrealism or drama to the poses and composition.

Avoid Eye Contact

 ^{photo by dundanim via iStock}

I mean, eye contact of the model or subject with the camera or viewer. You can have all the eye contact you want with the model, which might help directing the posing. 

By having the model purposefully not engage the viewer in this manner, fine art nude photography creates a mood of detachment or separateness from the world. This can have a great effect on the overall mood of the final image.

Try it out for yourself. Create a pose that is appealing with the model having eye contact with the camera, then simply have them look down. The change is obvious and can become dramatic, romantic, or even somewhat eerie, depending on what you are attempting to create.

Use Various Lighting Techniques

A lot of the artful component of fine art nude photography comes from employing the various lighting and exposure techniques you already know. If you’re lighting with side lighting, try out the same composition with rim lighting, or move the lights to the other side of the model.

You can vary intensity, color temperature, soft or hard, and all of it will affect your fine art nude photography in a particular manner that could work for creative imaging.

Put It In Writing

If you are engaging in fine art nude photography as a commercial endeavor, you obviously need a contract, model releases, and so on. Even if it’s all between friends, having written agreements evens out any expectations. You can also view another post about male nude photography.

Don’t Touch

A cardinal rule in fine art nude photography is not to touch the model. Use your voice instead, directing clearly what you want the model to do. This is why all those preparations spoken  of in other articles are so important. 

Communicate

Before, during, and after, communication between model and photographer is vital for a successful fine art nude photography session. Talk out your ideas together, sow the model what you’re doing, and then let them see the results. 

Following these professional tips will let you engage in fine art nude photography and achieve fantastic results.