Between glamour photos and the more formal naked figure photography lies erotic, documentary and personal photography. Are these pictures erotica, art or porn?
Personality, whether it is the model’s genuine personality or a make believe one conjured from the photographer’s and model’s creative collaboration, is created in the viewers mind by setting, clothes and props.
In creating images of the erotic, photographers tend to swing between hard and soft styles. Whether poised and flawless in a hard-edged setting or soft and innocent lying in a meadow the image created is of a stereotypical woman. A creation in which the photographer, model and viewer are all compliant.
Glamour on Looking Through Glass
That is not to say that these images are not valid. The hard lines of modern architecture, scrap yards or decaying buildings can contrast with and emphasise the sensual lines of the human body. Hidden meanings and subtexts can lie within the images. Even if it is only the disdainful self-mocking of the modern world.
A model who projects her real or imaginary personality, is able to adopt poses beyond the stereotyped repertoire of standard glamour, can become an object of fascination to the viewer.
Are these women glamourous? Of course. Would they appear on a glamour magazine cover or a calendar? Probably not as depicted in these photographs but several have when they adopt a different persona for the camera (see Creating the Scrapyard Nudes Calendar).
I take pictures of people, hopefully some of the images here capture a little of their personality. To see more go to my Portfolios
Creative Nude Photography shows you how to go beyond the norms of conventional glamour. The book contains sections on the concept, but is it art plus practical advice on finding models and camera techniques. The final section shows examples of creative nude projects
Want a hard copy to read? Printed edition available here
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