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How To Photograph A Nude Man

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  • Videojug
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How To Photograph A Nude Man

Learn how to photograph the beauty of the male form. We will show some of the things you will need to know to take great shots of the male nude…from finding models, to posing, composition, and lighting. Learn how to photograph the beauty of the male form. We will show some of the things you will need to know to take great shots of the male nude…from finding models, to posing, composition, and lighting.

Step 1: Finding A Model

You're asking a guy to pose nude for you for hours at a time, so he needs to know you're legit. Professional artist models are used to posing nude, but most people aren't. So Show prospective models a portfolio of your best pictures. Draw out what you plan to photograph. That way, there will be no surprises during the shoot.
Some good model sources:
•model agencies
• ads in photo magazines
•college art departments

Step 2: Where To Shoot

Remember, the focus is on the body, not the background. That said, paper or cloth backgrounds can transform an ordinary room into a photo studio. And shooting outside gives you great natural light.

A nude beach is perfect… but a secluded garden or yard will do.

Step 3: Get Comfortable

Keep the room warm. Put up a storyboard of what you plan to shoot. That way, the model knows exactly where you're going. Also, provide a changing room.

Step 4: Lighting

Use some strobe flash heads with either chimera soft boxes or reflecting umbrellas. You can rent these, including the stands, for under $75. If your camera can't fire the lights, rent an independent socket you attach to the camera's hot-shoe. Attach a sync cable to the flash unit, so the strobes fire when you snap your pictures. And use a light meter to set your exposure.

There are many ways to light the male nude, but since the male form is all about the muscles...you want to light in a way that highlights them best. Light from angles that cause the muscles to cast shadows on each other. Go really dramatic with only using backlight or use no light on the subject at all, exposing for the background and creating a silhouette.

Step 5: Strike A Pose

The male body is about power. Muscles. Make them stand out. Have your model flex... or twist his shoulders off-axis from his hips. This creates a sense of movement.

Forget that you are looking at a nude model. Just look at the form in front of you, as if it were an abstract sculpture or a landscape. What shapes are interesting? There's no need to show the full monty unless it adds to your picture. Usually, showing it will distract viewers from everything else in the picture. Focus on natural poses to hint at the sensual. Steer clear of the pornographic.

Forget that you are looking at a nude model. Just look at the form in front of you, as if it were an abstract sculpture or a landscape. What shapes are interesting? There's no need to show the full monty unless it adds to your picture. Usually, showing it will distract viewers from everything else in the picture. Focus on natural poses to hint at the sensual. Steer clear of the pornographic.

Photographing the male nude gives you a thousand choices. Choose well… and you'll have more than a naked picture. You'll have art.

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Tips & Comments
  1. edodeweert

    the act of getting naked in order to be drawn, painted, photographed, sculpted is sexually loaded; thbe act of drawing/painting/photographing/sculpting the naked human is sexually loaded; those posing naked and artists as well as those in the arts world may not want to admit that, but it is true nonetheless. i have observed many people drawing (maybe a better way to put this is: trying to draw etc ). me, or any naked human being has been intriguing (don't you just love this word?) i am a 67-year old male and have been posing naked for fine arts students in 8 different institutions with over 100 instructors. check out my blog at www.themodelundraped.blogspot.com

  3. PhotosbyErich

    if you are a LEGITIMATE and credentialed, CREDIBLE photographer, you could try contacting your local nudist club for possible models and subjects. The American Association for Nude Recreation ( http://www.aanr.com ) has a listing and links to most clubs throughout North America on its website. Note that any club(s) you contact will probably ask you a number of questions to ascertain your "intentions." But if you are patient in your communications, explain what you are trying to accomplish, DO NOT ACT or sound "creepy" and offer to be chaperoned, as well as providing references, you may find what you need. Please note that most nudists or naturists as they are sometimes called are not "perfect 10s" and simply view the body as a natural thing. Those most willing to model will likely be retired as they do not have the same concerns about job / what others may think and have more time. If you are interested in the human body as a natural art form rather than as an erotic subject, this may be an option for you...

  4. Mandy8388

    We’ve built a new social networking site and photography club devoted to glamour and nudes. There’s lots of info on nude photography there. It’s mainly aimed at amateurs and people just starting out, but there are heaps of practical tips. See http://www.eroticphotolounge.com

  5. dloera

    I just love how people like to complain about free stuff. Thanks for your video I found it useful.

  6. Rachsaysthis

    This is one of the most stereotypical, sexist, anti-male nudity instructional videos I've ever seen. Why have a giggling "dumb" female voice in the video. The male form is about more than just muscles. I have shot male nude models before. The focus is whatever the artist is aiming for. I noticed also in shooting the female nude, the model is not nude. Topless does not nudity make. Nor is there a male photographer shooting her. What's with the hypersensitivity in using a male photographer to shoot the woman. Videojug shame on you! To budding new photographers...DO NOT as a previous commenter stated, use this video as a guide. It's horrendous, sexist, anti-male, and insulting to men and also women.

  7. yousucklots

    This is the worst instructional video on photographing nudes that I have ever had the displeasure of suffering through! Since when are male forms all about "power" and "muscle"? That's the gendered equivalent of saying all women should be blonde with big boobs and a size 0. Last time I checked, some of the greatest nude photographers ever work with real human models. In addition to the awful, gendered way this video portrays "photographing the male nude" the resultant images shown far from art. The images are the equivalent of really bad glamour. Please, any beginner photographers that might stumble into this, DO NOT reproduce images that look like the ones in this video. Please! A final point I'd like to raise is that there is nothing wrong with photographing male anatomy... all of it. Penises have been depicted in the fine arts since ancient times. If you are shooting nudes, then shoot freakin nudes if you'd like. There is no rule that says a penis necessarily distracts a viewer.

  8. lela123

    who??? micheal jackson? where he was? in this video? hahahhaha

  9. bossvisoin

    This video is good, professionals that "Photograph a Nude Woman

  10. britishfoodgirl

    This would have been better without that women's stupid voice.