|
|
Nude photography is the genre of art photography, whose subject is the representation of the naked (full nude) or partially naked (half nude) human body.
The aesthetic value of nude photography and its boundary to erotic photography can only be determined with difficulty and inter-subjectively and is also affected by its numerous overlaps with pornography. In consequence, nude photography and erotic photography always find themselves branded in multiple ways, and labelled as works of artistic freedom, aesthetics, kitsch, junk or provocation. The boundaries of nude photography, erotic photography and pornography are so undefined and continuously changing that they are always determined and defined by the subjective moral view of the individual and the generally accepted cultural confines of "customs and tradition".
Whether the picture itself is art or junk always lies in the eye of the beholder. One (subjective) definition of the worth of a nude photograph is: "A nude photo is then good, when the Model shows it around at the coffee table at her grandmother's birthday party and receives positive feedback." (Günter Rinnhofer) Other definitions have been by far more controversial. For Horst Werner this art form has always been about provocation and evoking of emotions. He prefers disgust, shock and aversion (as evoked for example by his photographs of nudes at a cemetery or of disabled people) to indifference, which in his opinion, is often the only reaction generated by other, more conventional art styles. Additionally, it is nowadays no longer such a taboo to depict the primary sex features of a human being. However, in contrast to pornography, nude photography does not actively pursue to excite the audience, although this does not exclude that it is consumed with this intention and effect.
Tasteful nude photography is often regarded as high skilled photography as besides technical knowledge and the ability to manipulate light the nude photographer also needs strong communication skills and the ability to build a positive relationship with his model. A modelling contract between photographer and model often includes additional remuneration to the model besides payment and publication rights.
Subgenres and Subjets
"Feminine nudity must be given to men by the teaspoonful, not with a scoop." (Coco Chanel)
Nude photography divides into three basic forms: the "classic" full nude with a simple background, full nude model where model is completely naked; the detailed nude depicting certain details of the body, abstracting and making them anonymous, and emphasising the forms and structures of the nude; and finally the half nude, where the model is partially clothed or partially wrapped with accessories.
History and development
The nude is a classic subject in art. Already the early high cultures (Egypt, Crete, India among others) knew nude representations. Its development into other representation forms can be pursued from Greek clay to the art of the middle ages and on to the European art of the modern age. Since the renaissance, the study of the nude human body is an intrinsic part of art education at art academies.
Since around 1847 the nude has also become the object of photography, the first nude photographers including Philippe Debussy, E. Delacroix, Eugene Durieu and B. Braquehais. Models were both professionals and prostitutes and photographs were both artistic and "spicy", which often invited the aversion of moral and law enforcement officers.
Important Nude Photographers? Bettina Rheims David Bailey ? Eric Kroll Helmut Newton ? Hans-Peter Muff ? Jan Saudek Meister der Koloriertechnik (kolorieren) ? Jeanloup Sieff Man Ray ? Paul Outerbridge Petter Hegre ? Richard Kern Roy Stuart ? Robert Mapplethorpe Sam Haskins ? Uwe Ommer Günter Blum
This article was first published by Maria A. Novatschkova, art critic at Poster-art-gallery.com > nude photography
![]() PC World | Getting Started in Digital Photography PC World If we're snapping so many photos, though, shouldn't we try to take the best ones we can? Here's a primer on digital photography--how to get started, ... Browse Cameras - Page 1 |
Taking Good Concert Photos Washington Post Before we get into the mechanics of taking concert photos, don't forget that most venues have rules about photography. Sometimes those rules are fairly ... |
Digital Photography Workshop NorthJersey.com Wharton Public Library, 15 South Main St., presents a series of Digital Photography Workshops, the third Wednesday of each month, from 7 to 8:30 pm Workshop ... |
![]() Harbor Light | Area grad working as photographer in famed Ansel Adams Gallery; living the ... Harbor Light âOne of my friends I was ice climbing with knew Sarah Adams, Ansel's granddaughter, and through her I got a job teaching photography and photo guiding at ... |
Transcend's compact flash cards for digital SLR photography enthusiasts Manila Bulletin These are ideal for photo and video enthusiasts, allowing them to take full advantage of their high-resolution equipment. Transcend's Ultimate series 600X ... |
Get the Most From Your Point-and-Shoot Camera Lifehacker You can do a better and more detailed job with a photo editing application after the fact than any camera can do on the fly. Never trust the digital zoom to ... |
![]() TrustedReviews | Panasonic Lumix G2 digital camera Easier (press release) Suitable for a wide range of scenes from portrait to landscape photography, the LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./MEGA OIS offers a zoom range of 28-84mm ... Panasonic LUMIX G10, World's Lightest* Digital Interchangeable Lens System ... Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 interchangeable lens system camera unveiled Panasonic DMC-G10 review |
![]() TFTS (blog) | Canon U.S.A. Showcases an Array of Photo Imaging Solutions at the 2010 Wedding ... MarketWatch (press release) The current lineup of professional EOS Digital SLR cameras empowers wedding and event photographers with high-quality images and functionality, necessary to ... Canon USA Announces a New Addition to Its Award-Winning Line Of REALiS LCOS ... |
TSS Photography Teams Up with USA Football Nationwide dBusinessNews Atlanta (press release) Boasting a 36000 square foot state-of-the art, fully digital photo lab, TSS also offers hundreds of novelty products that feature children's photos ... |
Award-Winning Photo-Journalist Brings Hollywood Glamour to Scotland with ... Allmediascotland Award-winning photo-journalist Alistair Devine has launched a dedicated digital wedding photography service offering blushing brides and grooms throughout ... |
| Photography site map Photography Information New Homes Photos Ridgefield Washington Photos - Phuket Thailand |