This is the second part of a 3 part series titled Fine Art (Nude) Modeling – 10 Essential Tips for Beginners, and although mainly targeted for aspiring new art models, this is equally relevant to any photographer getting into or planning to enhance their fine art nude photography performance & quality.
The prior post: Fine Art (Nude) Modeling – 10 Essential Tips for Beginners: Part 1 of 3
The key aspect of the modeling tips discussed in the first part has to do with the self assessment & the preparation needed to score well in the first interactions with the fine art photographer. In this post, the modeling tips would be focused on some brilliant execution of the photography sessions & shoots.
A general caution: some of the images here depict artistic nudity and may not be suitable for all audiences. Please refrain from viewing them if you have any legal or personal constraints. Such images are masked until you intentionally wish to view them.
A quick recap of the earlier tips before we head on to new ones.
- Tip 1: Know your Artistic Talent & Strengths
- Tip 2: Understand the nature & business of Fine Art Nude Modeling
- Tip 3: Get to know the photographer’s composition style and creative depth in fine arts photography
- Tip 4: Ask & schedule trial photo sessions with the photographer
Here’s the next 3 professional tips for aspiring fine arts & fine arts nude modeling assignments.
Tip 5: Create & be in your own bubble to avoid distractions:
Most fine art photographers including myself, spend a lot of time studying the model and creating a mental sequence of the model’s adoption of the story boards (if there is one). Many shoots are free form – meaning the photographer will be a silent observer while it is up to the model to deliver strong opportunities for artistic moods.
[su_spoiler title=”Image Contains Artistic Nudity – Perfection is Imagination & Practice” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” anchor_in_url=”no” class=””]While reviewing look for the highlights & the shadow areas.
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To understand this point see a nude fine art photo session with Jeanloup Sieff: https://youtu.be/kXFtoW-6s8s . You can see from the video how much a successful photographer depends on the model and how hard it is for the model to go on so little information from the photographer as to what he wanted from the model!
Practice how to create, evolve & sustain that bubble through the photo session. Some photographers engage in mild conversation but rarely you would see a professional photographer directing a model on how to do their job. I have observed enthusiastic amateurs, both photographers and models, often converse too much in the pretense of “making them comfortable” and completely overlooking the finer aspects of true fine arts photography. Success depends on subtlety of moods, compositions and poses which requires intense concentration, vivid imagination and accurate posing.
Tip 6: Once in a while review some pictures but you don’t have to:
Once in a while it is OK to rewind and take a look at the performance. As a model, if you have that feeling in your stomach that a shot, or a sequence could be done better, you can ask to see a few images. But convince your mind that you can work through the entire photo session without taking a peek at the images. Believe it or not this requires practice – the urge to see yourself perform is often too much to resist.
[su_spoiler title=”Image Contains Artistic Nudity – Practice makes it look easy” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” anchor_in_url=”no” class=””]The poses that look the easiest are often the hardest to accomplish, especially if you count in the expressions.
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Review your pictures mostly for aesthetics & not so much for the techniques, like posture, expressions in the eyes & overall artistic vibe. If you are absolutely confident to be able to give a better shot, go for it. However, I would recommend that you take a deeper look later on and go back to the photographer with ideas of improvements.
Beginners and inexperienced models often get over excited upon seeing the first images. But unless you are seeing these images on a big screen you cannot make out all the issues in the picture just by looking at the camera’s small display. Hence it is advisable to control your enthusiasm at that moment & take your time to construct your feedback, possibly practice some poses on your own & then schedule another session with the photographer.
[su_spoiler title=”Image Contains Artistic Nudity – Beauty is in the Arches” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” anchor_in_url=”no” class=””]Some of the most elegant poses involve arches – a very difficult pose that requires lot of fitness & practice.
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Tip 7: Be prepared for personal management with a cosmetic kit:
Typically I would gift my artist collaborator with a personal kit that has almost all the necessary items one could require while on a shooting session, whether its done indoors or outdoors. Additional items are added from time to time depending on specific nature of the storyboard, the weather etc. In case you wish to be prepared on your own, here are a few essential things to have in your kit:
- Makeup removal / wet cleaning wipes
- Mild makeup as discussed
- Cotton balls
- Band aid & antiseptic ointment etc
- First aid kit
- Towel
- Water bottle or flask (if the shoot is outdoors in winder)
- Slippers or flip flops
- Shower cap to be used in between shots especially if the shooting is outdoors
- Changing robe
- Cell phone, charger or power bank
I will continue with 3 additional tips from my experience as a nude fine arts photographer & tried & tested ways in setting up new talents for success in (nude) modeling in fine arts photography in the next post:
Last post: Fine Art (Nude) Modeling – 10 Essential Tips for Beginners: Part 3 of 3