The Figure Study

Figure studies have usually been considered an exercise for art. That means they haven’t been considered an art form by themselves, although they can be beautiful.

A figure study is a nude photograph (or, more often, a series of photographs) where the nude is the subject, but the exploration of lighting and position of the model (and camera) cause the viewer to focus on the line, shape, texture and form of the model, as opposed to their nudity.

The truth is that any photograph of a model, clothed or otherwise, is a figure study before it is anything else. If the nude is used to present any sort of message outside of the shapes and light in the photograph, it is not a figure study. This is the category that allows a photographer to place all their work in some category, as opposed to calling something a “failed abstract” or an “almost glamour shot”.

Figure studies do not promote anything but themselves. They are beautiful inasmuch as they make our minds travel through the picture, just like any other subject matter. In fact, figure studies are sometimes referred to as “nude landscapes”.

• If you are interested in shooting nudes, figure studies are absolutely the place to start. Just methodically shooting every lighting and camera angle with a model, then looking through those shots, will spark ideas for the more dedicated work the next time you shoot with that model.

• Start with one model, one light, and one lens. Only move on to another level of complexity (two lights, or a different lens) when you feel you have exhausted the possibilities of this initial setup.

• Take copious notes. Metadata will only take you so far. Consider this a detailed scientific exploration...of a naked person.

• Before stepping in to shoot the figure, take an establishing shot from a distance to show the entire setup, if you are in a studio, or the entire scene if you are outdoors. It will help with placement or re-locating if the figure study sparks a separate idea.

• Absolutely, never delete a shot while doing this work. Yes, you can tell if you didn’t get the composition right by looking at that 2” screen. But you will only be able to tell what you did get at full size. Keep them for inspiration, or even just for lighting reference, but keep them. The world is really glad DaVinci didn’t throw out his pencil sketches, aren’t you?

• Figure studies do not have to show the whole body but, unlike close-up abstracts, they are not intended to trick the viewer into any other message, other than the beauty of line, shape, and light before them. Many attempts at abstracts that do not “work” are still great figure studies.

Example by AlanJAger
Example by CathieT