I find it is to easy learn something if you systematically understand its principles and rules. Take driving a car, for example. It is an extremely complicated task, but in practice, we all manage to learn it. We get to know the rules to follow like speed; things to keep in mind, like checking your mirrors; and the subconscious application of skill when operating a car. The same learning principle applies to photography. It is harder than driving, since no central body dictates the rules, so we have to find and understand them out mostly by trial and error and analysis. I like to look at great photos and try to understand what makes them great, especially compared to others. This is called reverse engineering.
Today I will show you one of the key principles in nude photography via reverse engineering.
I will use the Pirelli Calendar as an example, being one of the most iconic works in nude photography. In 2011 it was shot by Karl Lagerfeld, the world famous fashion designer and now, a photographer. The theme of the calendar was classical mythology. I will just use a few examples, but the whole set is easy enough to find on Google.
Take a look at these two images.
They are very similar: similar composition, the same lighting and both feature beautiful models. [E13]The top photo is especially straightforward, simple, and symmetrical. The bottom one is asymmetrical, and this makes it a lot more attractive. We see more beautiful curved body lines as opposed to bold straight lines in the top photo.
Let's take a look at details. First, the models’ legs. In thetop photo, they are separate and fairly straight up and down. In the bottom photo, one leg is straight and the other is bent. This is a fantastic little tip that will instantly make most photos of women look better. Look at professional photos, and be surprised at how often this is used, probably because it works!
Make sure that your model's legs are together, and that one is slightly bent and positioned in front of the other. The rear leg should be straight.
"Put your right foot slightly in front of your left, bend your knee a bit, and shift your weight to your left leg".
That's all you have to say to your model. It will sound professional and improve the photo dramatically. Take a look at this image from the same calendar:
The photo is still very much a frontal view, but one leg is in front of another and the knee is bent. It looks far better than the first photo.
Now that the legs are out of the way, let’s move up above the waist. Notice how the girls in most photos all have their arms up? This trick makes their breasts look more shapely, especially if they are bigger. Ask your models to bring her arms up and her breasts now look perkier! Try this and post your results (if you are brave enough) to blog's Flickr pool.
Photos are located at Fashion copious
Today I will show you one of the key principles in nude photography via reverse engineering.
I will use the Pirelli Calendar as an example, being one of the most iconic works in nude photography. In 2011 it was shot by Karl Lagerfeld, the world famous fashion designer and now, a photographer. The theme of the calendar was classical mythology. I will just use a few examples, but the whole set is easy enough to find on Google.
Take a look at these two images.
They are very similar: similar composition, the same lighting and both feature beautiful models. [E13]The top photo is especially straightforward, simple, and symmetrical. The bottom one is asymmetrical, and this makes it a lot more attractive. We see more beautiful curved body lines as opposed to bold straight lines in the top photo.
Let's take a look at details. First, the models’ legs. In thetop photo, they are separate and fairly straight up and down. In the bottom photo, one leg is straight and the other is bent. This is a fantastic little tip that will instantly make most photos of women look better. Look at professional photos, and be surprised at how often this is used, probably because it works!
Make sure that your model's legs are together, and that one is slightly bent and positioned in front of the other. The rear leg should be straight.
"Put your right foot slightly in front of your left, bend your knee a bit, and shift your weight to your left leg".
That's all you have to say to your model. It will sound professional and improve the photo dramatically. Take a look at this image from the same calendar:
The photo is still very much a frontal view, but one leg is in front of another and the knee is bent. It looks far better than the first photo.
Now that the legs are out of the way, let’s move up above the waist. Notice how the girls in most photos all have their arms up? This trick makes their breasts look more shapely, especially if they are bigger. Ask your models to bring her arms up and her breasts now look perkier! Try this and post your results (if you are brave enough) to blog's Flickr pool.
Photos are located at Fashion copious
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