A little advice please.

[SwissJon]

I've been thinking for some time that I'd like to get some people into my landscape shots.

Now I'm a big one for communing with nature, and it seems to me perfectly natural that the people appearing in my shots should be naked. I'm not after making erotic photos, far from it, but I feel that having spent a lot of time considering how best to harmoniously combine the human form with natural settings, the form should not include clothing.. I just feel that the curves and flows of the skin and hair would reflect the curves and flows of natural surroundings in a way that would be spoiled by covering them with anything other than the lightest of fabrics. What I'm really looking to do is melt the human form into the landscape in a way that makes it a part of that, rather than being the subject for which the landscape becomes the prop. I guess I'm going to have to experiment to see what works best for me.

My wife doesn't have a problem with me doing this, her only comment was "I don't want you to make pornographic photos.. Since I agree entirely, we're looking to move forward on this together.

Now for the advice -

I have absolutely no idea how to go about finding someone prepared to model for me, where do "nude models" hang out? What kind of payments do you make for this kind of thing? Do you pay for getting to the location or just "on location" time?

I've no idea about law and whether I need a permit. I've no idea what kind of open spaces would be suitable for shoots, probably somewhere that is not frequented by the public often, or perhaps a naturist area.. I know you can't advise me on the law in Switzerland, but what about nude outdoor shoots in your area?

Finally, are there any other people doing this kind of photography (I repeat.. NOT pornographic/erotic) that I can get some ideas from? On the forum or more successful photographers?

Sorry mods.. If you feel this would be more suitable else where, feel free to move it.

Thanks in advance for your considered, non-childish responses.

[BigFuzzy]

Heya Jon,
Interesting idea, good luck.

I would suggest creating a profile in something like ModelMayhem and posting a "casting call" and see what you get. Lots of models out there looking to expand their portfolios.

Though I'm unsure about rates etc, you will often times be able to get models to work for TFCD (time for cd) sort of arrangements. Can't help with the other stuff though.

Good luck!

[ravncat]

That's a darned good question - if you are in the US, it seems like you'll have to deal with "indecent exposure" statutes.

I know that is also true in Japan - there was a fairly well known photographer arrested here a year or two back for doing (non pornographic - fine art style) nude photography in cemeteries - he was arrested after the opening of his show - his photos being the proof that it happened - the models were not bothered...

It seems like you'd be best dealing with private locations when possible - if public, you may have to "evade" the law and just do it. I suppose you can check with your police office and see if there is any form of action you can take - freedom of speech probably won't cut it - and it would likely be less of a legal hassle to set up before you do it... depends again on where you are and how many people visit the location.

As for getting models, I have no idea - see if friends are interested --? Model Mayhem perhaps? I've never dealt with looking for models...

[SwissJon]

What's Model Mayhem??

Ah, don't bother, Google knows.

The laws in Switzerland are quite relaxed I've since found out (from a Swiss friend).. In fact the Swiss constitution guarantees the right of people to wander naked freely in places designated as "Wilderness", which means you occasionally come across naturists in bird reserves and the like. That kind of means that I've got a good idea of where I can do this kind of work.

Which leaves me with my last question.. Is there anyone who is already producing this kind of work.. There's lots of out door nude shots but most of them seem to be related to porn sites, and that really isn't what I want. I'm not interested in creating titilating images, the nudity is really meant to be incidental to the situation and not as a means of titilation. The art is in the landscape, the person is there because my photos feel empty at the moment, the nudity is meant to compliment the beauty of the landscape image, not be the reason or creating it. In my imagination I see a forest with trees, and suddenly you notice that one of the trees has someone leaning on it, sillouetted, or there's a stream, and you notice someone sitting next to it, considering it.. Perhaps a medow with flowers and in the distance you see someone walking though it. I don't really know how to describe it, except that it's not cheap titilation. So any links (PM me if you feel it's not appropriate for the open site.) would be most welcome, I'd like to be able to show people the kind of thing I'm imagining and get some ideas about what works.

[LeeofVa]

SwissJon,
I entirely agree with you on photographing the female form. On ocassion I have done tasteful nudes and they have turned out beautiful. It takes some work and it takes a model in the right frame of mind. My last model was wanting her own personal portfolio and I was happy to oblidge her. The shoot went better than I ever expected. It would be easy to cross the line to pornography but you must not and turn you works of art into smut.
Finding a model is sometimes the hardest part of the operation but you need to go at it from a different angle. Do you know some young women well enough to mention the subject to them? If so that is the best way to find someone. They may not be perfect but you will find that has little to do with truly beautiful nudes. Ask them if they know anyone who would like to have some nude or semi-nude photos to give to their husband or boyfriend as a gift (a very special gift I might add). Sometimes the person you approch is the one who turns out to be your model! Other times if they aren't offended by the idea they will work at finding you someone to model. Don't insist on perfect bodies, the best photographs I have take of a nude woman was of a slightly overweight lady in her early thirties. She was the mother of two children and was absolutely thrilled at the resulting pictures. (So was her boyfriend). It took some time to edit the pictures in PhotoShop to rid her of a few minor scars, etc., but the effort was worth the time.
I didn't pay her anything for posing and since she has had me take photos of her three more times as well as getting some of her friends to pose for me to the point I had a waiting list. I try to finish one set before starting on another. A couple of her friends also turned out to be great models also.
Let them go at it at their own pace. Don't press them to take their clothes off immediately but let THEM work into it at their own pace. Finally when they get entirely nude, especially outdoors, they will become entirely different people, feeling the warm sun and breeze on their bare skin. My first model had never been nude outdoors before but when she finally dropped her panties and was completely nude she couldn't have been a better or more willing model. Don't worry about the length of time it take to reach that point for when it comes you will capture some exceptional photos. Letting them work into it at their own pace gives them control over the situation and confidence when they finally overcome that last piece of clothing, which I call their security blanket.
Oh, by the way, in all the nudes I have taken I have never had to pay one cent to the models. You will be surprised how many women have had secret desires of modeling nude for years and all you have to do is ask that one right person to get the ball rolling.
Good luck and I hope you find a model soon. Maybe your wife can help you find a model. After all what better solicitor could there be than the photographers wife!

Have you ever tried to access the (empty) nude forum on this website? It won't accept my password. Has anyone had the same problem? We need to get the problem resolved for questions such as this.