Nudes in contemporary photography
Nudes in contemporary photography rely on a balanced aesthetic. The composition, lighting, pose, and gestures all contribute to the mood of this piece. Bright tones complement and stand out against the warm figure and dark colorless background. The overall atmosphere is festive, but there is a seriousness to the way the elements are arranged and presented. Although it is an irregular jumble of components, the composition is deliberately composed, balanced, and centered. It masquerades as a random moment in time, but is too polished not to be an invention of the artist.
A nude woman revels with squares of paper falling around her. Patches of blue and purple tumble through the air. Some are brilliant in the light while others have their hues deepended with shadow. The oversized confetti clusters in flocks on either side of the figure as they flutter downward. None of the scraps of paper has quite reached the ground, telling us of a story that is just now unfolding.
Her hands are clasped behind her hips and her arms are straight down her back. This arrangement forms a bit of negative space between her arms and back, drawing interest to this area of the composition. One of her heels is playfully raised off the floor. She looks over her shoulder, echoing the flighty cheer of the cascading colors. Her face, hands, and feet, each form one of three main points of interest to guide the viewer through the image.
Her face beams with a cheerful buoyancy and a generosity of spirit. Despite the explosion of energy around her, the overall affect of the artwork is calm. She is neither dancing nor jumping for joy. Although her expression is animated, both of her feet are on the ground, and her arms are stationary.
A flower adorns her ear, which is framed by an orderly wave of auburn hair. Although her stance is relaxed in demeanor, the muscles of her arms are flexed and defined. From her cheek to her foot, her right contour is an vertical series of undulating curves, stark against the inky blueish background. The cornerless expanse of negative space gives an ambiguous sense of depth and helps provide a sense of immediate proximity and familiar affinity with the subject.
This image is also available as part of a triptych (three same-sized artworks to be displayed together.) Collecting nudes in contemporary photography involves discovering artworks with moods that match your particular tastes. Choose one or more of the three festive nude photographs in this triptych for your walls.
Nudes in contemporary photography, such as this expressive artwork, explore the beauty of the female form. This beauty is manifested in the physical form, brought out by the arrangement of light and shadow; but the effectiveness of an artwork depends on the emotional connection that is formed by the viewer.
