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Fine art nude photography
Maria A. Novatschkova
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 Sujets
“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
About the author:
This article was first published by Maria A. Novatschkova, art
critic at
http://www.poster-art-gallery.com/nude-photography/fine-art-nude-photography.php
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