Research; Women by Women

With this book, i looked into the general view to photographing nudes and how it made the models and photographers feel. - Does it make the model feel different being photographed by another woman? Do the images have a different feel to them? - Being a female photographer, wanting to photograph a female nude myself, i felt that this was important to look into.

This famous, iconic photo of the gorgeous Marilyn Monroe inspired me a lot with the idea of the natural look.

Although Marilyn has lipstick on, it looks as if she could have just woken up or be the after look from being devoured. By being naked in bed makes Marilyn herself and this image ooze sex appeal. Every woman wants to look and feel sexy.

The strong highlights create a halo, or outline around Marilyn, whilst highlighting the creases on the sheet which is delicately draped over her body. The curves and smoothness of her body are also highlighted, such as her arm and the curve of her breast etc.

The mid-tones define the curves of her body, whilst the shadows give the image depth and texture.
The bright light comes in from the left of the image, this could be natural daylight from a window or a single light from one side in a studio.

This image of this pregnant female is beautiful. The pink tones to the image make her face and body glow and look really healthy. The pink tint could also represent that the female may be carrying a baby girl.
The female is looking away from the camera making the image look more natural and unposed. The way in which she holds her arms not only cradles her bump, but they are in the position of cradling a baby to her chest. This may suggest she is longing to meet her child. Her hair and make-up look very natural, just like her being nude. - In the natural form. The white material behind her that she's sitting on is ruffled to give texture. The material and background may be white to represent purity, cleanliness and innocence.

This is a mid-shot of a female perhaps walking from or to a studio set-up, or maybe even walking around her house/bedroom.

The light seems to be perhaps one soft-box lighting from the left angle of the shot, judging by the highlights on her arm, breast, hand and hip. This lighting smooths the skin and draws attention to the curves of her body.

The mid-tones define her curves and the muscles. You can see this by her shoulders and the top of her back, which then directs your gaze down the arch of her back to the curve of her bum. Making you, the viewer take in all of her and this image. Seeing a curvy, sexy woman worthy of being admired.

Her expression looks natural and unaware of the camera, making us an observer of her and also giving a slight voyeuristic approach.

This photo gives the impression that this lady has just got out of the shower. The darkness of her hair makes it look as if it could be wet, the white material that's slightly in view looks like a towel and also, the obvious concept, that she is nude.
Although the darkness of her hair is a huge contrast to the mid-tones which smooth her skin, this image has quite subtle highlights, drawing attention to her shoulder, arm, her lips and face which are all erogenous zones, giving this image a sensual outlook to it.

This image has a voyeuristic feel to it, where the female looks unaware of the camera. Being nude and on her bed, she may have been intimate or is due to be intimate with someone.
A female body is linked to beauty and curves and this position shows most of this. The way her back is strongly arched in a perfect curve into the small of her back, to me was the first focus point. It is also strongly highlighted smoothing her skin and adding to this motion of curvature. Your eyes then gaze to her round, pert breasts which are a sensual part to a females body. The mid-tones highlight the texture of her hair and the muscle definition of her stomach and hips. - Another sensual area. The shadows give the image depth.