Welcome Gerhardt Thompson

Gerhardt Thompson is a great and renowned photographer. I knew his exceptional work since a long time but I didn't dare to approach him for an introduction. He did it for me.

And, despite his fame, he's a very kind artist and an enthusiastic and friendly man.

I'm deeply proud and honoured to welcome him.

"In the Dreamtime"
Art Models Rachel and Scarlet

" I was born in Australia and have lived most of my life along the east coast of New South Wales. Australia is an outdoor lifestyle that you just have to indulge. What else can you do ! To this regard I do not photograph in a studio. Well it is not simply that it has been done so many times or in so many ways before, it is more that it could have been taken anywhere in the world.

The ever changing and unique Australian landscape is the perfect backdrop for a Fine Art Nude photographic session whether it is on a beach, a river bank, rocky outcrops or a bush land setting.










"Lured by the Sea"

The nude in my opinion is so beautiful, particularly in the natural environment and many of the curves and lines of the model are found and repeated in nature.

It is the harmony and/or often the contrast of the two I try to find and blend into one. I am very conscious of the textures and it is very evident in my work… some have called it my trademark and that which makes my work somewhat unique.

The end result is something quite unique that cannot be recreated elsewhere. Even the light is different. The intensity of the Australian sun is second to nowhere and creates its own special magic that while absolutely beautiful, is also a challenge to capture and harness in this type of photography. Many try but very few successfully harness and capture the beauty it provides.

"Reflections in a Mirror"

From the series "ArchiTexture"

I almost exclusively shoot outdoors. While I have done some studio work, I find very little to challenge me when I can control every aspect of the light and mood. I also find it difficult to create something truly unique in a studio. Most of the time no matter how good it may be it always ends up similar to so many other studio nudes.

I am Australian and it is also where I live, I have spent my life in the outdoors, surfing, bush walking, sporting activities, I just love being outdoors… so I suppose it was almost a natural decision for me to go outdoors with the camera.

I also enjoy exploring the natural sunlight, harnessing its nuances and working with the constant intricate changes which I have no control over but have to work with. To me it is more of a challenge trying to harness this often hostile yet beautiful light, particularly with nudes.

"Dream Catcher"
Art Model Scarlet

From the series "Angels in the Clouds"

My website provides links to my solo exhibit here in Sydney, three International Exhibits where my work is featured and sold, over 50 joint exhibits and five European based Exposes.

I have been interviewed by La Repubblica (Italy), Jade Magazine, (UK), FHM Spain, The New Nude Magazine by Andrew Kaiser, MeinBerlin.de, Incubus Choice, The Art of Love, and Duclerk, my work has been also been published by each of them. I have also been published in the poetry journals The Sow's Ear Review and The Blue Fifth Review both based in the USA.

I have two books available for purchase, Gerhardt - The Book and The Sun Drenched Nude.

I am a photographic judge at photokonkurs and currently my photography hangs on walls around the world."

"Someday Baby When the River Runs Free"

The artworks of Marc Hoppe

Marc Hoppe

Member since 2008

"Submit"
Art Model Kat Love

"Bentable"

From Braunschweig (Germany), Marc Hoppe is specialized in fine art nude, acrobatic nudes and portraits. And as you see it, "acrobatic" is not just an expression. Fan of Andreas H. Bitesnich, André Brito, Thorsten Jankowski from who he learnt a lot and Igor Amelkovich, here are some of many Photographers who inspire him, Marc Hoppe is fascinated by the feminine shapes :

" Before I start shooting a model, I try to analyze the body and the muscle structure."

A thing I'm sure, Marc doesn't "try", he succeeds ! Take a little of your precious time to admire his work. You'll be as impressed than me by the power of his imaginative and so well composed artworks.

"Quiet"
Art Model Kat Love

By himself :

The fascination on photography began in 2004 when I started shooting architecture and landscapes.In the early 2008 I met Thorsten Jankowski and Michael Papendieck, two fine art photographers wich are also based in Braunschweig, Germany.

They gave me the inspiration to change the focus from architecture photography to the “sculptural nudes” and “transforming bodies” photography.

Before I start shooting a model, I try to analyze the body and the muscle structure. Then I try to use minimal light setup so that the focus is only on the form and the structures of the muscles and bones. I also get inspirations from architects like Tandao Ando, Santiago Calatrava, Phillipe Starck and use this in my photoworks.

"Hang loose"

"So what ?"










"Offside"
Art Model Steffi

Welcome Le-Croix

These photos have been choosed by Le-Croix himself. They represent the way he wants to be showed, today, because tomorrow is always different.

If I refer to the categories in which he sorts his beautiful photos, beyond the dark, gothic, surreal and fantasy ones, I've also seen artistic, glamour and classic labels. In fact, thanks to his fertile imagination allied to a great technique, Le-Croix is not a photographer we could really classify in one only genre.

So, Le-Croix is an inspired artist, a true one never satisfied, a great photographer and an accomplished painter encouraged from his very early age by his father. What a lucky man !

"Easy full frame"

How did all that begin ? I know you received your first camera at the age of five ?...

" I've always liked visual arts, ever since I was a child. But my real passion for photography started when my daughter was born in 1984. As I studied to get better, I discovered a certain 'style' which excited me, this was dramatic black and white.

I was hugely influenced by Bob Carlos Clarke, Ansel Adams and the Hollywood photographers of the 1940' and 50's. "

"Bend over, bad boy..."

Have you some projects running ?

"I have produced a catalogue for a fetish wear manufacturer. I am now concentrating on producing quality black and white erotic photographic prints for sale via the web. Oh ! And I've just done a 7" vinyl cover for U.S. Black Metal band "Black Trinity"."

What about your next book ?

"Ah, the book... It seems I'm always working on the book ! My style is constantly evolving and so the content of the book keeps changing... I am never satisfied."

"Bound, look closely..."

Thank you Le-Croix ! And see you very soon.

Alex B, first feature

Alex B. by David J. Green
"Bride"

Alex B. from London, UK, has recently joined the UdA team of editors. Find her at her official site, her very active blog, deviantART, Purestorm, Model Mayhem, Art Limited and Musecube. Follow her on Twitter @alexb244

by Marcello Pozzetti

"The corkscrew"

Among finalists in Carrie Leigh NUDE 2010 international competition, published in summer/Fall issue

by Frank Reinhold

"Brancusian"

Art Model, self portraitist and a sometime dancer, Alex is a very prolific writer.

Annie Leibowitz, Man Ray, Cecil Beaton, Helmut Newton, Joyce Tenneson , Pascal Renoux and many more are her favourite photographers.

Her deepest wish is to be someone’s muse for a year or so and travel around the world taking pictures in unusual locations.

By Ray Spence

"Studio Nude"

Alex B. is an Art Model of Italian origin currently based in the UK. She has been a life model for many years, starting when she was twenty years old but her main activity is the study of dance and performance.

After a modelling come back in her forties, as a life model first, Alex has been doing art nude and commercial photographic modelling for some years. She has also explored fashion and editorial.





by Marcello Pozzetti
"Detail"

With a Doctorate in the Arts, Alex has been involved in higher education teaching since the early 1990s. She is currently retraining as a dance/movement psychotherapist and thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Art nude modelling for Alex is a passion and an extension of her dance experience.

by DG
"The Squat"

by George Swift

"Waterfall"

Wannabe Models : How do you develop staying power?

One of the questions Alex was asked during an interview published on deviantArt was about sharing tips with wannabe models. Alex said the following:

"Ask for feedback on your performance, especially if you are working with a good photographer. Make note of your shortcomings but also review your strengths. Make sure you come across as uniquely different. There will always be thousands of beautiful girls. Just be you, believe in yourself and that will take you far. Be prepared to work hard. And most importantly: if you don’t feel comfortable say no!"

So, back to staying power.

by Neil Huxtable

"Black Hat "

As of now, after a hiatus of many years, Alex is back making dance work, rebuilding her creative practice, and continues with art modelling, as well as writing. She is already busy getting features ready for UdA, so keep on visiting.

by Michael Culhane
Male Art Model Mike Cooney
"In love"

Who knows what the future will bring?

Welcome Scott Church

Scott Church at his official site, his live-journal, Model Mayhem.









Scott Church is a 35 years old professional photographer since 16 years, doing nothing else but photography :

"This is my day job, this is my night job, this is all that I am."

Of course, I perfectly see what he means, because I share the same kind of complete implication in my writer's job.

Scott Church lives in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA. Until now he has published four books ("Thirty Pieces of Silver", "TrashGlamour", "Good Luck In Hell" and "Revelation", link under construction at this time), and he's actually working on his fifth :

" My present world is just about making the best photos I can everyday. I'm currently working on a new book of my "greatest hits". It will be my fifth published book. I'm hoping for a christmas release, but we'll see."

Scott Church made in october 2006 his first solo exhibition at KMFK Gallery, New York, a great moment he appreciated at its true value, and I'm sure the next show will come very soon because he deserves it.

As usual, facing a fulfilled "young, rich, gifted and beautiful" artist, I find very difficult to make a choice through all his photos. This one because I love the light ? Or maybe this one for the idea ?... Or for the colors, for his shadows, for the pose, the model, his golden point approach ?!!!

Let's stop the words to discover some shots I deeply like, among the hundreds of his amazing work.

And a lot of thanks Scott for the precious time you gave me !

"In a red window"










"Cloth skin and water"










"How many more, how many days"

The New Candid Nude by Kiran Patil, part 2

Kiran Patil

Article written and illustrated by Kiran.

"Rebecca"

The New Candid Nude, written by Kiran Patil

"Candace N II"

Nudity, by itself, is not sexual to me. It is honest. 

That is the crux of why I continue to explore what I will call the "new candid nude".Candid nudes have been photographed since the invention of the camera. What I feel is 'new' in my work is the philosophy behind the approach of taking the photograph, not necessarily the visible properties of the picture itself. It much more than a simple snapshot aesthetic of yesteryear.

I have found that there are three masks that most people wear when they are photographed : clothing, physical and emotional.

"Morgan"

"Elisa"

Let's look at an imaginary man walking out of a corner cafe, cigarette poking out between his lips, sporting a leather jacket and sunglasses. What is our impression of him ? His eyes are hidden, adding an air of mystery. The leather jacket exudes a tough-guy persona and the cigarette hanging from his mouth screams of being a rebel. Whether we conciously realize it or not, clothing acts as a mask of how we want the world to see us.

Remove the clothing and we remove the first mask to help reveal the true Essence of a person. This is why nudity is essential in my photography.

"Carrie"

Clothing is just the first obstacle, however. We still have to deal with the physical and emotional masks, which are much tougher to unveil.

The physical mask is the purposeful way that a person postures their body to interact with the camera, the environment and themself.

As we all know from looking at glamour magazines, certain poses and facial gestures signify sexuality, submissiveness, strength, success and so forth. When being photographed, even inexperienced models will often structure their body and face such a way that projects an image flattering to the viewer. In a world obsessed with perfect images, one cannot blame a would-be model for doing this.

"Kerri"

In order to break the free from the physical mask, I ask the subject to engage in an activity.

I find that the act of doing something - anything - for a length of time can push the awareness of being gazed at from the forefront of model's mind.

"Kerri II"

"Claire"

The emotional mask is tethered to the physical mask. We express how we feel by our body's posture. When the physical mask goes down, the underlying cause is the erosion of the emotional mask.

In performing an activity and concentrating on that one task, a person will show their true self. 

Even something as innoculous and dull as folding their laundry will reveal a state of emotion that they may have been holding back. It is important that the photographer not take photos right away. Some time must pass before the model "loses themself" in the activity.

"Helene"

The goal of the new candid nude is to explore the person's Essence - the intangible quality that makes a person who they are.

The emotional mask is the last layer to peel away before the viewer is able to see the truth of a person's existence.

Whether the photo is a success or not, we should applaud everyone who steps in front of my camera. Once the emotional mask is removed, there is a vulnerability that is exposed and if I were a brutal madman, I could easily say something to strongly wound a person's psyche.

The new candid nude is not a venture that should be taken lightly by a photographer. Every word and every action taken should be considered carefully.

Siyar Demircan joins us

Siyar Demircan is 29. He's from Istanbul, Turkey, a great city I visited with an incredible pleasure. By now, what I know about him, I'm waiting for more, it's that he loves Nuri Bilge Ceylan, me too, and dark movies (impossible if I want to write fairy tales...).

So here is a short exhibition, the first of a long serie, you'll understand why by watching these pieces of art.

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