Whenever I start working with someone for the first time, I begin with what I call “survey.”  I simply have them stand facing the camera and shoot them full length, then have them rotate slowly clockwise and shoot at various intervals until they complete the circle.

I was intrigued by the shape of this woman’s nose, and decided to make an image that celebrated the wonderful profile she has.  The fun as playing with the sharp lines of her forearm and nose in contrast with the rounded shape of her breasts and back.

To read more about how I came to make this image, and evolved it into something else, take at look at the blog at NudePhotoWorkshops.com, where I share tips for shooting fine art nude photography.  And while you are there, take a look at the fine art nude photography workshops and opportunities for private instruction in fine art nude photography.

Well, maybe not exactly, but on location or in the studio, light is a key ingredient in whether a fine art nude image works or not.  My wife sometimes comments on how I seem to be off in space somewhere, but the reality is that when that happens, I’m most likely taking in some unusual light and looking for something to shoot with it.  Fortunately, she is also in the arts, so she understands.  Anyway, my point is that as photographers we need to ever hone our skills at observing light, and understanding how to use it to best advantage.  Here’s one example.

My studio is in an old school, so there are huge windows throughout the building.  I was certainly attracted to the space I ended up renting because of the three large windows in the studio itself.  But I was equally intrigued by the light in the hallways and staircases.  The window light in such tight spaces is magical.   That’s  because the apparent contrast is lessened the closer the light is to a subject.  So if a model is close to the window, the light wraps around her with a sense of direction but without harshness.

In this case, I decided to make an image about light.  I placed the model in a spot where she would be surrounded by darkness to create tension between the large windows and her highlighted figure.  How the model occupies the space, and her size within the frame became important in creating a sense of balance and movement within the photograph, so we tried several variations of her position before arriving at this final frame.

Whatever you are doing, pay attention to the light.  And even if you can’t shoot something at that specific moment, catalog it in your memory so you can either go back at another time, or recognize a similar situation when you come upon it with your camera.

Tips like these on fine art nude photography, plus information about nude photography workshops and private mentorships are at my website, NudePhotoWorkshops.com.  And while you are there, sign up for the free monthly newsletter!

I always enjoy the opportunity to photograph bodybuilders in the nude.  The definition in their musculature creates wonderful possibilities when it comes to using artificial light to create dramatic studies.  This series was created with a single umbrella to the right of the model, shot on a Canon 5D Mk III, 1/160 @ƒ22,  ISO 200.