Figures of Grace: Iceland, by Dave Rudin

by Dave Rudin

Member since the beginning and UdA Art Editor

Brooke

Aubrey

There are some places in this world where the landscape just cries out to be photographed.  Iceland is one of those places.  Filled with waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, lava fields and hot springs, it offers a landscape like few - if any - other places.  At a certain time of year, it even offers 24 hours worth of daylight in which to photograph.  What better place is there in which to showcase the beauty of the human figure?

Brooke

Aubrey

Aubrey

Well, there is one major caveat:  the weather.  Iceland doesn't normally get very warm, with an average high temperature in July of 57 degrees Fahrenheit.  Add in the strong wind that can happen, plus the unpredictability of it all, and it can all add up to trouble.

Nadine

Zoe

That's what happened to me on my first art nude expedition to Iceland in 2013 with models Aubrey and Brooke Lynne.  As it was, it turned out to be the coldest summer in memory, but despite the difficulties, Aubrey and Brooke did admirably.

Zoe

Rebecca

Nonetheless, I felt a second trip was in order to try to get things done right and to take care of unfinished business.  This time, in 2014, through a combination of both better weather and better planning, I was able to get more good results with Nadine Stevens, Zoe West and Rebecca Tun.

Rebecca

Rebecca and Nadine

Nadine and Zoe

Is my Icelandic adventure complete?  I don't think so, as much of the country still remains for me to see.  When I will return for the next visit I do not yet know.  However, I do know this:  Iceland beckons - and I will be back.

Dave Rudin, a B&W aficionado

Dave Rudin

Dear Dave,When I proposed you to write an article about your works, you told me a big yes ! A big thank you, Dave, you make my day !





Genesis...

I began photographing nudes at a workshop in Woodstock, New York, in August of 1995.

The previous year, I had completed four years of going to business school at night (including summers) because I felt doing so would give me a better chance of finding a new job. (Ha!) Now that I had completed what I felt I needed to do, it was time for me to do what I actually wanted to do – and that was photography. I had come across the Center for Photography at Woodstock and its workshop programs in the fall of 1994, so I decided to sign up for a nude figure workshop the following summer.

" Nude Nevada 5 - 2006"
Art Model Carlotta





"New Mexico Nude - 1998"

My work with the nude figure also receives the credit for turning me into a primarily black and white photographer. I decided from the start to photograph this in black and white as the masters of the genre had primarily done. This led to me doing my own developing and printing and coming up with my own vision for black and white.

Now when someone asks me why I don't photograph in color, I simply answer, "Why should I ?

"Nude Nevada 7 - 2006"
Art Model Carlotta

"Nude Scotland 2 - 2004"
Art Model Alison

In a world that often seems chaotic, I try to give my images a sense of beauty, of elegance and of grace - hence the name for my website, Figures of Grace. While this may apply literally to my work with the nude figure, my aim is to instill a sense of grace and elegance into all of my images.

"Untitled Nude 2 - 2006"

Dave Rudin's interview

" In a world that often seems chaotic, I try to give my images a sense of beauty, of elegance and of grace - hence the name for my website, Figures of Grace. While this may apply literally to my work with the nude figure, my aim is to instill a sense of grace and elegance into all of my images."

"Nude, Joshua Tree"
Art Model Madame Bink

Art Model Carlotta Champagne

 
Dear Dave, how did your passion begin ?

I began photographing when I was small after my father gave me a camera. He later gave me his 35mm camera, a Minolta SR-1, after he bought a new camera for himself. I used 35mm equipment for a long time, especially while travelling, mostly in Europe.

In 1994 I completed a graduate business degree after going to school at night for four years (including the summers). I went back to school for career reasons - not because I enjoyed it - but after four years of that I wanted to start doing something again that I really enjoyed : my photography.

"Nude, Nevada 2 "
Art Model Carlotta Champagne

My goal is to show that there also exists a world of beauty, something to show that life is worth living - and I think that's a thing we all need, too.

"Nude, Malibu"
Art Model Maria Eriksson

Make of your passion your job ! That said, sincerely, how long could you be far from your camera ?

To be honest, I'm not someone who photographs all the time. I only have time off from work (and enough money) to travel three or four weeks out of the year, which is when I do most of my photographing for the year. Sometimes I will also photograph models on a weekend day.

As I develop all of my film myself, and as I have a limited budget for my photography expenses, I can only do so much in the way of actually photographing.

Of course, even if I'm not using my camera all of the time, I am still busy developing film, organizing and scanning photos, making prints, etc.

Art Model Maria Eriksson

Dave, what inspires you ?

For my nude photos I think I'm just inspired by beauty, and that beauty is something I try to convey in my photos in my own way.

When I'm travelling I try to find interesting looking people to photograph - people who are beautiful in their own way, you might say - plus interesting looking places.


Your portfolio contains many outdoors shots. Is it your favorite theme, woman in nature ?

When working with nudes, I like locations that are interesting in and of themselves but would also be harmonious to include with a nude. This can be a purely natural landscape, such as the rock formations where I've photographed in Nevada, or a place that includes interesting architecture, like the ranch where I photographed models in New Mexico several times.

Art Model (and photographer !) Kat Love







Art Model Maria Eriksson

Who did influence your style ?

There are a lot of photographers I admire. Edward Weston was great at many types of photography - still life, portraits, landscapes, nudes. One of my top favorites was the fashion photographer Horst - almost all of his photos have a beautiful sense of elegance that I try to include in my photos. I admire Lucien Clergue for his nudes, Helmut Newton for his erotica, Ansel Adams for landscape, Henri Cartier-Bresson for photo-journalism, etc. I also like the work of contemporary photographers like Linda Butler, Howard Schatz and John Swannell.

Art Models Theda
and Kate Mandala

Great masters indeed. About your inspiration, is there a large part of improvisation during your shootings ? 

When I normally begin a photo session with a model, I don't have a preconceived idea of what I will be doing. Often I will be at a location for the first time.

Basically, I just try to do what inspires me at the moment depending on the landscape, weather, etc. 

When I work in a studio I try to plan a little more, but often I just try to think of something on the spot.

"Nude, California 2"

Art Model Kat Love

You're addicted to BW, isn'it ?

My work with the nude figure receives the credit for turning me into a primarily black and white photographer. I decided from the start to photograph this in black and white as the masters of the genre had primarily done. This led to me doing my own developing and printing and coming up with my own vision for black and white.

Now when someone asks me why I don't photograph in color, I simply answer, "Why should I ?"

That's clear. Do you find easily your models ?

A lot of the models I work with have been recommended by other photographers I know. There are also a lot of models here in New York where I live (though a lot ask for too much money so I can never work with them !). When I travel and try to work with models I use websites such as Model Mayhem to find people to work with, though sometimes it can be difficult to find models who are both available and affordable.

Art Model Rhowena

Art Model Lydia













What kind of ambiance do you install to warm the often shy atmospher of the beginnings ?

I just try to be respectful of the model, work slowly (often with a tripod) and don't force the model to do anything she doesn't want to do that's too uncomfortable or difficult.

"Untitled Nude"
Art Model Rei

What is your artistic dream ? Your challenge ?

To have my work seen and appreciated by many people and to gain some recognition for it.
If I were to divide photographers into two types, I might choose those who depict the world as it is and those who depict the world as they would like it to be. I definitely fall into the latter category. The world is (and, I suspect, has always been) a place where one feels helpless to change things.

With a camera, I feel empowered - not to change the world, but to create my own world on film and paper.

"Studio Nude 2"
Art Model Alison

A book to come ?

I'm not sure. If there will be a book, it will be self-published via one of the internet companies that do this. I recently ordered from Koday a 5x7 inch book with 100 of my nude photos. This will be a small prototype for a possible book, just to have an idea of how a book may look. I've already made a small book with some of my travel photos from Asia.

Nice ! Thanks a lot Dave for your precious answers. It's good to know you better... Come back soon, this site is yours.

"Nude, Ohio 4"
Art Model Jacqueline Chantelle

Jacqueline Chantelle by Dave Rudin

2008

You can read about Jacqueline and see more photos of her at Model Mayhem, One Model Place and Retro Kitten.

Written by Dave Rudin :

Chris is still out on medical leave, so I'm still continuing to try to keep things going here in his absence by making a posting about once a week or so.

Today I'm writing about the model Jacqueline Chantelle. Jackie is a very lovely young woman who I had the pleasure of working with not once but twice last year. She lives in the Cincinnatti, Ohio area and is a lot of fun to work with.

My first session with Jacqueline was in the studio of my friend Dave Levingston in Dayton in the springtime. During the summer, I photographed her outdoors in the Hocking Hills area of Ohio. (Sadly, our photo shoot that day was severely hampered by so many other people being there.)

Sarah Ellis by Dave Rudin

It has been five days since my friend Chris last posted an entry here. Unfortunately, he's unable to update the site here due to his hospitalization for a medical condition, and I (and I'm sure all of you reading this) wish him a speedy recovery.

Even though Chris is unable to update the site at the moment, I think he would want it to continue in his absence. So, as he has designated me as a Contributing Editor, I will try to make some postings now and then of models I have worked with and other photographers that I know. (Perhaps some of my fellow Contributing Editors can do the same if they are able to.)

Today I will begin with a very beautiful model who I had the good fortune to photograph twice last year - the lovely Sarah Ellis.

Sarah can be seen at her official site, Model Mayhem, One Model Place.

Yours, Dave Rudin, Contributing Editor

Here (below and one above) are a few of the photos that I made with Sarah last year.

Mark Saintz interviewed by Dave Rudin

" I am mostly confident that we have achieved some good shots, by checking the view screen during the shoot, but I can be usually surprised when I have that first look at the images full size." Mark Saintz

"1975"

" This is an old image of mine titled 1975, called that because that is when I captured it. The mannequins were brand new, straight out of the plastic, I was brand new too, I hadn't been taking photos for very long at this stage. It won me a mention in the local newspaper which gave me the push to go further with the medium. The shot was taken in colour on Kodak 64 slide film, printed onto paper by a local lab back then and recently found by me and scanned, photochopped and presented again after all these years."

Mark Saintz at his official site, his Newcastle Art Nudes blog.

"Dam hand"
Art Model Mia

" This is a detail of a pre dawn shot of Mia taken on the shore of a local dam. I wanted to post the whole image but this detail of her elegant hand kept grabbing my eye. No matter how I cropped or manipulated I couldn't get away from this image. I even left out the be-ringed breast but eventually came back to that as well."











Dear Mark, how did your passion for photography begin ?

At the age of 16, I began my working life as a window dresser here in Newcastle 160km North of Sydney on the east coast of Australia. Some of my older colleagues were interested in photography. Being that we all worked in the retail visual arts so to speak, which required good use of colour, balance and placement, it all tended to come naturally. Peer group pressure and hard core criticism by those peers made one try that little bit harder. It was there that I took the image of the mannequins faces titled “1975”. Only faces I promise, I wouldn’t dream of taking nudes back then, even though I was surrounded by them. Nude mannequins that is… I wonder what an analyst would think of that connection ?

"Trapped"
Art Models Peita and Rosie

"Fan"

Don't wonder ! It's Art... And where did you learn it ?

I tagged along with those co workers and joined a local camera club which held monthly contests. These were always judged by notable professionals so many an old school tip or technique was passed on.

I later moved to London alone in 1984. I picked up some better camera equipment on the flight over and decided to embrace photography as a way to combat loneliness.

I took thousands of images over that two years stay including my first nudes.

John Hedgcoe was my teacher via his fine book “Hedgecoe Nudes” back then. It turned out that I wasn’t lonely at all but I still hammered that Minolta during the two years I was there, the paint was worn off the top of the body before I later traded it in on my first Nikon. So I guess you could class me as mainly self taught.

The most important facet of my trade as a Display Artist is placement and balance and hopefully 30 years of training and practice during my career in this field is reflected in my photographic images.

"Up is down and down is up"
Art Model Rosie

"Abstract a shower"














You seem really prolific. How long could you be far from your camera ?

I don’t pick it up every day. It is a tool that I use as required.

I made a very bad mistake 10 years ago by working as a professional in the worst job I ever had : a school photographer. I didn’t pick up a camera for six years after that little nightmare. No art involved and absolutely no creativity. The company I worked for glued the aperture ring, film speed dial and shutter speed dial on the equipment we used, if I recall, they were medium format Bronicas. In my opinion the manager of that branch was a buffoon and an idiot. I believe he’s still there, I’m told he had to buy shares in order to stay with the company.

When I see your inspiration, your creativity, this way to go from a style to another, successfully, I can understand why it was such a nightmare !... By the way, who are your favorite photographers ?

I know it is cliché but Helmut Newton. He set me on this path, it is all his fault. I like China Hamilton's work as well.

Also Dave Rudin for his way with the subject, he seems to get the very best from them, BT Charles for his humour, Nad Iksodas for his vision and art. Locally Ric Woods. I tend to like frank stares at the camera by the model.

Now a very difficult question : how long did it take to find your style ? Could you define it ?

I am still looking for it, I try to compose in a slightly abstract way… I would prefer that you who view my images answer that one for me.

"Draped"
Art Model Kitty










Art Model Leeanne

My answer is clear : your eclecticism is amazing, as I'm trying to exhibit it from the beginning of your interview. To go farther, is there a message you want to express through your work ?

Be yourself. A cliché I know, but that comment can cover all bases including the model, me the photographer as well as you, the viewer.

"Bluff"
Art Model LeeAnne

Do you plan every details before a shooting ?

No. I blame my original profession for this. We were told what theme of window we were to do on the morning that we were to dress it so one had to come up with props and concept within 30 minutes. I mostly work this way. I do like the thrill of that. Of course it can go wrong but not usually long enough to make me look too foolish. I like to improvise and save the day. That quietly gets me off.

That said, I do plan some shoots to a small degree when a concept is required by others but I mainly like to do it all off the cuff.


As an Australian photographer, have you also this preference for outdoors settings ?

Yes I do, mainly because it is so available to us still. I am always looking for new locations but I do not seek uniquely Australian looking backgrounds, they tend to bore me. Indoors equally appeal to me.

"Beach ghost"

Some words about your models ?

Who am I without them ? A nature photographer ? A sunset snapper ? They are all so special. They trust me and I trust them to make me look good.

I photograph women because I love women. It is as simple as that. I really enjoy this type of work when I witness the power that is enabled in the model as she gains the strength and self confidence that this work brings out in them. What occurs on the day is all their decision and that is just fine with me. I am only there to record it as best I can.

"Lounge"

Art Model Rosie

How do you feel at the end of a shooting ?

Worn out.

I am mostly confident that we have achieved some good shots by checking the view screen during the shoot but I can be usually surprised when I have that first look at the images full size.

I tend to leave them for a few days and approach them slowly. I suppose that I am so immersed in the shoot that I don’t want to know about it again for a few days afterward.

"High"

Art Model LeeAnne

Have you some challenges you're dreaming about in a near future ?

Studio G. white bicycle project. An exhibition.







"Audacious"
Art Model Mia

" I am overwhelmed by this rather audacious shot of Mia, taken in the very early hours of what must be the quietest night of the year. This shot was taken on the bridge that leads to Carrington, an inner city suburb of Newcastle. I do like it."









A beautiful dream, and a real project, if I'm well reading behind your concise answer ! Keep us informed. And what about your next ?

When and where I am invited. If not where and when I can arrange it.


Have you published a book ?

Not yet but with what is available out there (self publishing wise) that will be soon.
I made the cover and centre spread of that most famous and widespread magazine titled “Kink-E.” Not exactly what I was striving for as my first printed foray but hey, I’m not complaining.
Magazines ? Not only Black+White would be a nice place to be seen, it is my favorite and Australian based. I would love to be featured in that some time if they ever get around to publishing it again but that is wishful thinking, me being featured that is.



 
I note. A message to send ?

Don’t take yourself too seriously.

One method that I judge others by just how seriously they do take themselves, the ones in this world that tend to take themselves too seriously give me great entertainment at their expense.
Value your work but don’t kid yourself for one moment. There will always be someone out there better or worse than you.

Thanks a lot Mark. I'm going to follow your advice. 

"I fell down into"
Art Model Leeanne

" This is LeeAnne at a local beach VERY early last Sunday. It took a round trip walk of about 6 kilometres to get this and dozens of other varied images with a dramatic sky and wonderful golden light as a background. The little lights you see on the horizon are ships waiting to come into the port of Newcastle."