Nervous about first time photographing nudes (film)

[grapejohnson]

I've been interested in trying this, but as my girlfriend has given me permission awhile ago it looks like I finally have the opportunity. I love shooting portraits and candids, so it doesn't seem far off, but I want them to be classy and flattering. I'll probably shoot with high iso b&w film, and probably a little amount of natural light for nice shadows, etc. any recommendations as to what films produce a nice skin tone (for a pale caucasian female)? I have a roll of Kodak p3200 I might try at 1600 with a yellow filter, but seeing some scans of fomapan seems like a much cheaper and contrastier answer.

Second matter of concern: if I shoot in true b&w, I don't have access to darkroom equipment and would have to have them sent out. I don't exactly want just anyone to have access to these negs. I work at a drug store with a minilab, and am able to develop my own film at work. Store policy states that nudes are OK as long as they aren't children and it isn't the act of having sex, so I won't get fired. Are there any c41 b&w films that are higher than 400 iso? Any of them good? I like XP2 a lot.

Anyone experienced with this? Sorry this is so all over the place, but I really have no idea where to start.

 

[fotomeow]

maybe not much help, but I wonder if you could push the C41 to 1600? I imagine the IQ would change.
But at least you could process it at work.

 

[ferider]

You could develop the negatives at home, and scan in the minilab.

My negative development kit cost me around 100 bucks. All you need is a changing bag, a tank and wheel(s), a thermometer, developer (at that ISO I recommend DDX), fixer and some distilled water. Try, it's not difficult at all.

Roland.

 

[grapejohnson]

maybe not much help, but I wonder if you could push the C41 to 1600? I imagine the IQ would change.
But at least you could process it at work.

The minilab is a noritsu and has no option for push/pull. there is no DX reading either. Frankly I have no idea how it works. I think it would probably just come out really underexposed.

 

[grapejohnson]

You could develop the negatives at home, and scan in the minilab.

My negative development kit cost me around 100 bucks. All you need is a changing bag, a tank and wheel(s), a thermometer, developer (at that ISO I recommend DDX), fixer and some distilled water. Try, it's not difficult at all.

Roland.

the drum scanner doesn't scan true b&w, it stops halfway through the first frame and forces you to yank it back out. that does sound like a pretty good option otherwise though. i've been wanting to get into home developing but had no idea what kind of budget i'd need to begin.

 

[I Love Film]

Where are you going to put your film and extra lenses if you're shooting nude?

 

[grapejohnson]

Where are you going to put your film and extra lenses if you're shooting nude?

haahahahahahaha, nice one.

 

[CameraQuest]

I've been interested in trying this, but as my girlfriend has given me permission awhile ago it looks like I finally have the opportunity. I love shooting portraits and candids, so it doesn't seem far off, but I want them to be classy and flattering. I'll probably shoot with high iso b&w film, and probably a little amount of natural light for nice shadows, etc. any recommendations as to what films produce a nice skin tone (for a pale caucasian female)? I have a roll of Kodak p3200 I might try at 1600 with a yellow filter, but seeing some scans of fomapan seems like a much cheaper and contrastier answer.

Second matter of concern: if I shoot in true b&w, I don't have access to darkroom equipment and would have to have them sent out. I don't exactly want just anyone to have access to these negs. I work at a drug store with a minilab, and am able to develop my own film at work. Store policy states that nudes are OK as long as they aren't children and it isn't the act of having sex, so I won't get fired. Are there any c41 b&w films that are higher than 400 iso? Any of them good? I like XP2 a lot.

Anyone experienced with this? Sorry this is so all over the place, but I really have no idea where to start.

no reason to be nervous,
its your girlfriend after all.

just take off your clothes and start shooting.

Stephen

 

[DNG]

I would not send it out... to risky with ultra photo police employes!!

There are labs that will do them, with privacy guaranteed, but, at a cost..

Why not photograph in Digital?? for now, get a Film Developing kit together, and standardize on film (Tri-X,), and get good results... the you ready to shoot film and develop with good results.

Just don't try to do "Porn/Slutty" poses, ART POSES!!!!, NO Fully exposed "V" area, YET, let your girlfriend know you are wanting "Art Poses". She may allow more as she trusts your ideas... AND "Her Ideas". Don't forget to ask what kind of poses she may want.

There are plenty of examples on the web,,, Try PBase and search "Art Nude", "Nude", Semi-Nude",

 

[unixrevolution]

I, too, found doing my own BW development at home to be easy and inexpensive.

Changing bag: $20ish
Tank and Reels: $25
Developer: $10-15
Stop bath: $10ish
Fixer: Also $10ish
Mixing/measuring: Call it about $25
Distilled Water: $1/gallon
Film clips: $3/pair
Squeegee: $10

I find that once you sink the cost of the equipment, I can get away for about a dollar a roll to process. I also find having the ability to push/pull on a whim is really excellent.

Kodak TMAX P3200 and Ilford Delta 3200 are both excellent high speed film, and can be rated anywhere from 400 to 12,800 ISO. I prefer to shoot mine at 16.

But Plain ol' Tri-X or HP5 pushed to 1600 works well too!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Recently someone on another forum wrote to never shoot portraits of women with high iso (800+) film in low light. Forgot the exact reason for it.

Too much unflattering detail perhaps?

Anyway, I wish you luck in your venture.

 

[grapejohnson]

...Just don't try to do "Porn/Slutty" poses, ART POSES!!!!, NO Fully exposed "V" area, YET, let your girlfriend know you are wanting "Art Poses".,

yeah, that's my aim. more of a boudoir thing.

Recently someone on another forum wrote to never shoot portraits of women with high iso (800+) film in low light. Forgot the exact reason for it.

Too much unflattering detail perhaps?

i like grain in general with b&w and think the shadows i could get from low light could be very complimentary. iso 100 would probably be amazing as well, but then the lights/flash would have to come out making things tacky or cheap looking. who knows though, i haven't tried it yet

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I work at a drug store with a minilab, and am able to develop my own film at work. Are there any c41 b&w films that are higher than 400 iso? Any of them good? I like XP2 a lot.

Lucky you! Photographically-speaking at least...

Anyone experienced with this? Sorry this is so all over the place, but I really have no idea where to start.

XP2 can be pushed to 800, but not sure about 1600. There is also Fuji's Superia 1600 which is of course color C41, but if you'd rather desaturate than compromise with pushing a C41 film, that may be your best option, as far as working with C41 film at high ISO.


If using B&W at high ISO, if light is going to be a commodity, I'd stay clear of using color filters. If, however, you choose to use one, the choice is very subjective: it depends on the look you want, on the subject's skin, what your lighting is (you may inadvertently offset tungsten lighting if you use a blue or red filter, for example, or kind of offset fluorescent if you use a dark yellow filter). A blue filter or dark green filter will generally make blemished skin stand out more blemished. A red filter (again, generally) will make certain things get "evened out" (i.e. nipples will not be so prominent as they'd be lightened enough as the rest of white skin.

You can only learn by yourself from mistakes, and take recommendations as guidance, not as an absolute.

Good luck!

 

[grapejohnson]

went with xp2 on the a-1 since I have a 1.4 for it

 

[raid]

Good luck with the shoot. Post some of the results that you feel OK about being posted.

 

[giellaleafapmu]

I saw this thread only now, nobody told this to you but I would ask whoever I photograph to sing a release form. I know, I know, she is your girlfriend and you will not be doing anything with the pictures but, believe me, I have seen a lot of nasty cases and if nothing nasty will happen to you all the best, you will just keep the release form somewhere, together with the negatives or the files as a memory.

GLF

 

[back alley]

Good luck with the shoot. Post some of the results that you feel OK about being posted.

raid...supporter of the nude form...😉

 

[Contarama]

It is my understanding that if you publish or display any type of "nude" photograph without the model's consent or a release, even if it is your wife/ex-wife girlfriend whatever, you are subject to arrest and prosecution if said model wants it that way.

 

[Bobbo]

It is my understanding that if you publish or display any type of "nude" photograph without the model's consent or a release, even if it is your wife/ex-wife girlfriend whatever, you are subject to arrest and prosecution if said model wants it that way.

Maybe where you are. In the U.S., as long as you don't sell them, there's nothing they can do about it (especially if permission was given or if in a public place). If you sell them without a release, you might get sued, but not a trip to jail.

BTW, THIS is the thing digital does best... shooting without any sort of outside work 🙂. Used to be the land of Polaroid, but far better quality.

 

[willie_901]

Taking the photos and how they are used are separate issues.

As far as I am aware in the US model releases are not required for non-commercial work. So editorial usage, which includes display in galleries and art shows is does not require a release. Using them in advertising or in a situation that implies endorsement of something or somone is the accepted definition of commercial use.

You do have to be certain the model's right to privacy is not violated. This is a separate issue from displaying or publishing the photos. In fact, you need the model's permission to take the photos because a person's right to privacy is often defined as a reasonable expectation of privacy when undressed.