Interview with Digital Photographer Magazine - July 2007

"Photographing the Nude"  

1)      Please describe your primary motives for doing nude photography. This a direction which probably more than any other demands the photographer to be honest with himself as to why he/she is doing this, isn’t it?  

Yes you do have to be very honest with yourself. I have a background in fine art and have always been in awe of painters like Bouguereau, Degas, Monet, and Rembrandt. I especially like Rembrandt and Carrivagio’s use of light in their works. The high lighting contrast on the human figure is absolutely beautiful and set’s a mood in and of itself.

 So, I’d say my primary motivation is to “paint” classic beauty with photography. With the development of the digital camera, I found a medium with which I can create visually and instantly have the finished product in a matter of hours as opposed to days or weeks.

2)      Was there any single situation in your life that you might define as being a crucial in helping you make a decision to start doing nude photography? If not then just describe briefly how did you start and what is your experience in this field?

 I had never really been interested in learning photography when it was a film-only media because I have very little patience in waiting for results. When I was drawing, painting, or designing buildings, I would get to see the result in front of me as it progressed. I approach a photo session much the same way.

 I would say the situation that started me in photography was purchasing a digital camera (Sony Mavica) about 7 years ago and my former wife, who is an artist, thought we should try doing some nudes. I immediately loved it and upgraded to a digital SLR, set up a studio, purchased studio lighting, and read and learned everything I could about photography. After shooting several different friends and acquaintances, I started having professional models interested in my work for their portfolios.

3)      In a few key words try to summarize your thoughts on the question of what is the most difficult thing a photographer has to master to succeed in b/w nude photography.

 Just like any fine piece of art, the image has to affect the viewer, it has to set a mood, or trigger an emotional reaction. It has to say something.

4)      Do you think you possess some features of character which make it easier for you to feel yourself at home in the realm of nude photography? In other words does a photographer require certain personal features to be able to work in nude photography successfully?

 I understand design and composition. I have a very good grasp of lighting and geometry. I think the most important thing I look at from the nude figure is that it is my primary canvas and how I can use light to paint a beautiful image.

5)      You’re working in fine art nude photography direction, aren’t you? What is the difference between it and say erotic photography and glamour photography?

 I think it’s the motivation for the end result, erotic appeals to the libido and glamour appeals to the ego…art appeals to the intellect.

6)      Who buys b/w fine art nude photographic pictures and is it possible to make a living only with them?

 Nobody buys it and you can’t make a living…lol.  Thank God I have a real job.

7)      Would you like to go into more lucrative beauty, fashion and glamour photography, because a stylistic and formalistic line between them and fine art nude photography seems to be not so evident but the money you get for shooting fashion and beauty is not a joke.

 I’ve been asked this question many times by models and friends. I absolutely have no desire to get into any of those fields. I do my images for me. I’d rather work in my studio with a willing model and create a beautiful image than shoot a glamour model in order to sell shampoo. Of course I say that now, but if my kids need to eat, I’m shooting hair…lol

 8)      Was there any photographer who served as a source of your inspiration in the early days of your career and maybe still does? What did his/her photos teach you?

 Not really, I’ve never looked at other photographer’s work as inspiration…I’ve looked at technical and style aspects of other photographer’s work and have tried to learn from both the positive and negative results they’ve gotten and how I might make my images better.

9)      After Weston, Saudek, Brandt, Mapplethorpe, Sally Mann, Jock Sturges, and even Greg Gorman is there still something new to be discovered in b/w nude photography? And what are you trying to discover actually?

 The only name I recognize without Google is Maplethorpe and I like some of his work. I’ve never really paid attention to who is supposed to be the “best” according to the media and critics. I feel that limits creativity in setting a false standard.  I’d rather concentrate on what is the result of my mind’s eye and throw it out there and see if anyone likes it. I’m trying to discover if the results of my work are enough to be communicated to the viewer with the same intention and reaction as the image I created in my mind.

10)   What is your idea about a creatively successful b/w nude photo? What would be its main ingredients?

 When I look at it on the screen and say “I like it”…and I don’t touch it with Photoshop.  

11)   Form, light, expression, drama, composition – what is more important for you?

 Light…that’s it.

12)   Lots of the masters in this genre intensively explored form of a female/male naked body. Does nude human form stay in direct relation with the feeling or can it alone act as a subject in nude photography?

 When I started, I shot mainly studio single figure studies and then felt I should move to props, exterior shots, and multiple figures.  I thought this might be a natural progression in developing my work. In the last year, I’ve found a need to go back to basics and really explore a single figure and a single light. It’s sort of like a rebirth with knowledge.

13)   What can and should tell the form to the viewer, what kind of messages is it capable of transferring?

 Its basic design, you don’t just draw and see what turns up…you have to have an idea envisioned and a personal reaction that you are trying to communicate. If your idea is strong enough and your capabilities of capturing that representation are developed enough, you can deliver whatever message you like…

14)   Is there any criteria you choose your models on? And generally speaking, who are your models – mostly professionals or amateurs?

 I choose models primarily on what I find visually appealing. I also like to know about them personally and get a feel for their concept of art and why they would choose to pose nude.  

Most of my models are amateur or have minimal experience. I find they are eager and have no preconceived notion as to what looks good about them in images, allowing me to pose them in what positions I feel looks right for my images.  

 I’ve also shot a few professional models that are extremely good at nude art work and are very helpful in the creative process. They are aware of their body position at all times.  

 My favorite model is a good friend that has vast modeling experience and has recently begun a career as a professional photographer. I’ve had over 20 sessions with her and the images are phenomenal.

15)   How do you look for them and how do you make them trust in you? Do you pay the models?

 Most of my models are referrals now. I’m still active on two model/photographer websites.

  As far as the trust issue, when I began, I knew most of my models personally as friends, so that was not a big issue. After I started accumulating some nice images, it was easier to get new models on the basis of them viewing my work.

 I don’t pay models because I’m not receiving money for my work. My personal belief is that unless a client is paying a photographer for a product, then the model shouldn’t expect pay from the photographer. A model that expects pay just to pose for a photographer’s personal work is in essence dismissing his professional services as less than equal to her own.

16)   When meeting with your model in a studio do you have a clear idea of a character you’d like him/her do depict on the photo? Or you mostly improvise?

 I initially have an idea in mind. As the session progresses and I see the abilities of the model, I’ll be more flexible and let the work take new directions. I’ve worked with several very talented models that took my ideas to places I never expected with wonderful results. Those are the fun sessions for me.

17)   How do you behave yourself during a photo session? Do you talk to the model to make her feel at ease, do you put music on? How do you cross the distance, how do you stimulate trust and intimacy?

 I am always extremely professional during my sessions and very courteous to my models; this has helped build my reputation as an artist and gained me quite a few referrals from models. I believe people feel very vulnerable and self conscious when they are nude, especially in front of strangers.

 Normally before I shoot a new model, I will meet her at a coffee shop or for lunch and get to know her in a comfortable environment. I explain what I’m looking for in my images and what to expect during the shoot.

 During the session, I do my best to make them as comfortable as possible and create a project type environment to make them feel part of the creative process. I take several breaks to review images with them on my laptop and get their opinion and suggestions about the images. Normally, this puts the model quite at ease and she begins understanding what the session is about and nudity becomes a non issue.

18)   How to make a model play plausible drama, express real feelings which make a photograph look stronger and more authentic?

 I usually appeal to their personal experiences as far as what type of emotion I’m looking for in an image.

19)   You work mainly in a studio? Do you have your own studio, if yes then how big is it, what kind of props do you have?

 I do work mainly in my studio and it’s not as big as I would like. It limits me sometimes, but I work around it. I’m currently looking for a larger place with a friend of mine who is a photographer also. I use very few props, mostly interesting single pieces of furniture or posing platforms I have built.

20)   The lighting – there’s no rule for using it in nude photography, but do you prefer certain type of light? Maybe natural light?

 I prefer a single studio flash. I’ve had some luck with natural light and would like to explore more options using it when I get the appropriate studio.

21)   What kind/how many light sources do you have and which of them do you think are the essential ones for nude photography?

I started with continuous light sources (spots and photflex lights with softboxes). I found these difficult to work with in a digital format due to my camera’s limitations and the effects I was trying to achieve. I switched to studio flash and began a whole new learning curve to achieve the results I wanted from them. I am the master of the interval timer as I have spent hours experimenting with light using myself as the test subject…lol

 I think it’s essential to master the studio flash for nude photography. I usually shoot with one source, but have used as many as three for some images. I find it necessary to learn to position reflectors correctly as well.

22)   Please try to describe or better draw schematically some of the light setups you prefer using?

 The setup depends on what I see when I pose the model. Normally I’ll start with a 45 degree set up to either side and then work the lights around to back lighting or maybe overhead.

23)   How often do you change them during photo session? Do you tend to make any light corrections when doing post-production retouch in Photoshop?

 I might move the lights three times and shoot the same pose or even add or delete lights as I view the result…that’s why I love digital cameras. I mainly use Photoshop for conversions to b&w and adjusting brightness and contrast levels. I do use it for skin touch ups as well.

24)   Now is it hard marketing those kind of photographs you make? What are your basic marketing principles and strategies?

 I’ve found it difficult to find a market for fine art nude images. I’m sure erotica would be much easier as it is closer to the pornography market. I have been successful in getting some of my work featured on fine art websites along side contemporary photographers like Helmut Newton, Petter Hegre, and Claus Rose; which has been a great honor for me.

 I’m currently working on a book with another photographer, who is female, which will feature nudes of older women. It should be interesting to see my view of the model as a male photographer and her view of the same model as a female photographer. I’m very excited about this project.

As always, I’m still submitting to galleries hoping to be “discovered”…lol

25)   Do you have any specific ambitions in the field of b/w nude photography? Do you still hope to make something new or you’d rather keep on singing visual hymns to the beauty of female form?

I think I’ve only dropped a grain of sand into the vast ocean of possibilities in shooting the nude form. I’m enjoying the journey more than any other experience in my life. I hope to continue progressing and producing beautiful images so that others can enjoy my visions long after I’m gone.