Help!

[Pdee]

Hello,

I'd be lying even if I said that I was an amature photographer. To be honest I don't even really like photography. I love art, but the only area that I have any talent in whatsover is in plating food. I love to cook.

I have a dilema. My ex-girlfriend has asked me to take a nude photograph of her for posterity. I would like to do this as best that I can.

My budget is small. The camera will likely be borrowed. I don't have the capabilities to use a dark room and so far as photoshop goes I only just learnt how to crop.

Firstly can I possibly do this or should I just hire a photographer? and if I can do this then any and all advice regarding nude photography would be carefully read and sincerly appreciety.

Cheers.
Peter

 

[*Mike*]

Good boudoir photography is very much a skill; it takes a lot of practice and talent to do well.

You don't want it to come out looking like bad amateur porn - which is what a lot of mediocre boudoir photography looks like. And that's from "pros" as much as hobbyists...

I'd suggest finding a studio that's good at this and paying them. )

 

[Senor Hound]

My exes don't even talk to me, letalone ask me to take nude photos of them!

Second the professional route. Without proper lighting (which is very difficult to master) and exposure (not that kind of exposure!) a nude photo looks like one of the thousands of naked girl photos you see on the internet nowadays. Not that there's anything wrong with those photos, but they aren't really very classy at all.

 

[Alpha]

In my honest opinion, you're not going to produce the sort of work you have in mind. It takes a lot of practice, or a fantastic eye for the way light falls, or both.

 

[JimmyO]

Im going to come out and say you will not be able to take a nice shot of her. You are best to look for a pro to do it for you.

 

[bahandi]

go pro... or just set your camera to B&W or sepia... lol

 

[passerby]

Hello,

I have a dilema. My ex-girlfriend has asked me to take a nude photograph of her for posterity. I would like to do this as best that I can.

Maybe the nude pose request is not really request et all knowing full well that you have no camera.

 

[Jedo_03]

Seems obvious... given your stated interests...

Borrow/Hire a decent P&S...
Find a large plate...
Some oversize brocolli, carrots, spuds (you're the expert here...)
Arrange yr GF and all on large plate (again you're the expert...)
Sauce as required (pun may/may-not be intended)
As an alternative: add hot brandy and flambe...
Show us the result for critique
Jedo

 

[Battou]

Nudes are an increadable beast. I have some knowhow with a camera with a couple few years of experience and I am still a long way from being redy to do nudes....

Sorry, there is no possibility for an absolute beginner with no true photography intrest to accomplish a nude with satisfactory results. It's way too likely that even the best shot you can do will look little better than standardissue nudie pics. Your best bet is to go pro and reduce (not eliminate) the risk of looking like internet soft porn, or lower your expectations and accept internet soft pornesk results.

 

[Alfred D.]

Do what you do well and know how to do: cook her a nice meal. Don't do what you don't do well and don't know how to do! Leave the nude photos to a seasoned pro.

 

[Helen B]

I think that you should decide for yourself what this request, and the photo, is all about. Then if you are happy, go for it with a borrowed point and shoot if that is what is available.

This seems to be all about memories of something shared, not about pretty pictures.

The problem with asking a question like this on a mainstream photo forum is that you will get a lot of answers from people who have a fixed idea of what the image should look like. What is one person's tasteful boudoir photo is another person's lifeless monument to tackiness. What is one person's straightforward, open and honest picture is another person's boring snapshot.

If you hire a 'pro' the picture will not tell the story that you and your ex can. You will probably have just another formulaic piece of tacky, embarrassing dreck.

Good luck,
Helen