{"id":855,"date":"2015-08-13T16:21:46","date_gmt":"2015-08-13T16:21:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.pixlr.com\/?p=855"},"modified":"2015-08-13T16:21:46","modified_gmt":"2015-08-13T16:21:46","slug":"composition-a-perspective-on-body-parts-anatomy-nude-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pixlr.com\/blog\/composition-a-perspective-on-body-parts-anatomy-nude-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"Composition: a Perspective on Body Parts, Anatomy & Nude Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photos of body parts can be\u00a0sexy. Or boring and everyday, depending on the editing choices you make. Body parts can be more impactful than a facial portrait when composition and lighting are the key factors in your final cut. Facial segments, hands, feet, necklines, backlines, navel dips \u2014 any and all fragments of the human build can draw keen and mysterious interest from viewers if you take time to shoot thoughtfully. Images like these often tell\u00a0no story. They simply celebrate the visual definition of form and function that we might otherwise bypass in our daily lives.
\nDo you think they’re dirty?\u00a0Some may dart their vision away from these simple compositions of lips, necks, and hip dips, mentally (unavoidably?) placing them in a deviant category. I truly believe there is an appreciation in portioning off these beautiful shapes that make us who we are \u2014 even if some people assume that all artistic and carefully composed nudity is rooted in a sexual nature. The human body is beautiful, with unique valleys and mountains to explore. Artistically capturing pieces\u00a0of indirect nudity really has nothing to do with sex. It’s the same as in figure drawing: create lines, shape, movement, and shading. Only instead of mimicking or imagining it, you’re capturing it.
\n\"infographic_BodyPartsPhotography\"<\/a>
\nImage Sources: 1<\/a> | 2<\/a> | 3<\/a> | 4<\/a> | 5<\/a> | 6<\/a> | 7<\/a> | 8<\/a> | 9<\/a> | 10<\/a> | 11<\/a>\u00a0| 12<\/a> | 13<\/a> | 14<\/a> | 15<\/a>\u00a0| 16<\/a> | 17<\/a> |<\/em>
\nTo get the most out of your own compositions, follow these loose guidelines<\/p>\n

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Shooting Guidelines<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Learn to crop in action, otherwise referred to as\u00a0in-camera composition<\/strong><\/em>. You will gain a stronger composition by shooting what you want the outcome to be, rather than shooting broadly and then heavily cropping later. If you’re new to this method and feel unsure about the composition, shoot with a bit of space around what you think you want to capture, close to where you might crop the final image. That way you have a little padding to work with until you know your framing style.
\nCompose<\/strong> body\u00a0parts at close range (the majority rule) with minimal white space.
\nMost adult body parts in photography look best with a harsh side or back lighting<\/strong> which produces some rim light. In turn, this produces a source with 50-75% darkness<\/i> on the opposing side. This enhances the details of shape and form, adding drama where it might otherwise be missed.<\/p>\n

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Editing Guidelines<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you are practiced at in-camera composition<\/strong>, minimal to no cropping should be necessary. This is a learned technique and will only get better if you practice frequently with all things you take photos of. Just apply it to everything you snap, and it will become a habit.
\nGrain<\/strong> is a big part of black and white images. You can choose to enhance the in-camera grain<\/em> (e.g., of a low-light image) or add faux grain<\/em> (e.g., textured overlays). Obviously, Pixlr apps have tons of options when it comes to adding texture and overlays.
\nThe best way to dramatize<\/strong> nude skin is to start with a black-and-white image. You will have even more control over defining the highlights, dark valleys, and gradients of your subject matter.
\nThere are no\u00a0solid rules of thumb. For instance, if I am photographing a newborn or small child, I might be shooting for\u00a0innocence (crisp and lighter)<\/em>, using a more lightweight and softer look and feel. You are documenting delicate features of soft creatures; therefore, the capture can be completely different than say capturing the beauty of a woman’s collarbone for artistic reasons.
\nKnow your purpose: Is your final product for\u00a0journaling<\/em> or is it more\u00a0artistic<\/em>? Do what works best for you. That is how you set yourself aside from the rest. Experiment and break out of your comfort zone.<\/p>\n

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Experimentation Ideas<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Skin is a fun thing to photograph. Add some extra elements to break out of your comfort zone:<\/p>\n