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finding locations for nude/nude-esque shoots
Hi, could anyone give me pointers on how you find a good spot for shooting that isn't highly trafficked and keeps the model feeling comfortable? I like to shoot in the woods, most of which, in the bay area, are pretty full of hikers and families, and I'm open to exploring urban/industrial areas. I've shot some amazing sets with Sonia (Devi) in high-traffic areas, were we kept having to cover her up and stop shooting as people walked by. Sorry if this has been discussed, I swear I searched it. Jan 20 16 05:00 pm Link So 99.9% of those hikers will be on the established paths or easily accessible areas. Bring an assistant or two who can warn of anyone approaching, have a fast coverup for the model, and do a bit of trailblazing. Jan 20 16 06:04 pm Link Make sure the model is fully aware of what she is getting into as well. I personally wouldn't be comfortable doing this and it would show up in the resulting photos. Private property where I had permission is a whole different story. Jan 20 16 08:02 pm Link Derek G Cooke wrote: If you are willing to travel about 2 hours South to the beautiful Monterey County, I live on a 60 acre ranch with plenty of green grass, oak trees, scenic vistas, a vineyard and old barns as backdrops. Models can pose here in complete privacy. It's not as exciting as shooting nudes in public streets or urban areas, but it's perfect for nature nudes. Look at my album for "Art Nudes or Otherwise" Album for samples. Send me a message if you are interested. I've been planning to teach some seminars, and to also provide access for a fee to the location and even models I work with. Jan 21 16 12:32 am Link Patrick Walberg wrote: PM sent Jan 21 16 10:56 am Link Years ago, I knew of some nice spots down the coast. How far are you willing to travel? Also, don't forget about private property (with the permission of the property owner, of course). Ask. This is a good example of the potential benefit of having (& nurturing) a supportive local artistic community. Ask your fellow Oakland / Bay Area photographers & models. I'm now several hundreds of miles away from you and am not likely to have real suggestions. Jan 21 16 12:03 pm Link I've always wondered about Big Basin Redwoods State Park. There are so many off-trail areas where it seems like one could wander unobtrusively. Anyone ever shot there? Jan 21 16 12:48 pm Link Timing can be as important as location. A popular picnic location is often markedly less popular on week days and early in the morning. Light industry sites are often ghost towns on weekends. National parks often have great locations a bit off the beaten path. Jan 21 16 03:25 pm Link Rob Photosby wrote: This is the key. Once you find a nice place just schedule the shoot for the time/day that tends to have the least usage. If it's a park do it when everyone should be at work or in school. If it's a industrial shoot do it on the weekend. I've shot at 4:00 AM on a street shoot to avoid onlookers and cars. Jan 21 16 04:35 pm Link Derek G Cooke wrote: Could start by making day-trips off the beaten path. A GPS can help you pinpoint where you actually are. Keep a small notebook in the car & write down where you are. Jan 21 16 05:28 pm Link Toto Photo wrote: Although I have not tried it yet, I would think Big Basin Redwoods State Park would be a great place to shoot nudes. The morning I woke up in a wooded cabin in the Redwoods on New Years day some years ago is still one of my favorite memories of a beginning of the year celebration. The smell of the redwoods, combined with the babble of water flowing from the near by brook is like waking up in heaven. I'm not kidding! Jan 21 16 06:11 pm Link Rob Photosby wrote: Vector One Photography wrote: Absolutely critical is the "timing!" If I want to shoot a model nude in front of a Bart train for an example, it's possible to do so at a very late or early morning hour. I have seen photos of models that other photographers have shot. Shooting in the middle of a street at 4 AM is also possible .. I have done that before! Jan 21 16 06:17 pm Link It's also useful to have someone who you trust that can act as a look out / HEWS - Human Early Warning System...  Having the right person is important. I have someone I trust that I know will concentrate on the job at hand, knows how to behave around nude models (they love him!) and more. In most cases simply choosing the right shooting spot with an appropriate lookout position is enough. In other cases, where there are just too many possibilities, I've watched him jump into action when someone walks towards the shooting area. He chats with them, asks them for directions or, if there are multiple people coming through at once, otherwise distracts them in some way. Making sure their attention is on him (facing away from the shoot) while they're walking through the (carefully selected) small zone where the shoot is actually visible (appearances can be deceiving!). They never had a clue. Invaluable! Jan 21 16 09:26 pm Link There is a nude beach in Shelter Cove with very black sand. My bucket list has me wanting to try a very fair skin nude model with the black sand on the 3.5 mile beach there in B&W. Bad part is it's about 4.5 hour drive from SF though. There are motels in Shelter Cove though near the beach. Jan 21 16 09:54 pm Link National forest where you don't have to stay on the trail or you access the area through a less-traveled route. Just keep your bearings. Patrick makes a very gracious offer. Some of my favorite places have been on private land, but I was fortunate to know the owners. Jan 22 16 06:40 pm Link |
So scout out not only the location, but the time.
