aquarelle wrote:
What’s the difference between “Naked” and “Nude?”

To use "naked" as in someone saying "Oh do you shoot naked women?"  seems low brow to me.  There are times when one might use the word "naked" but not so much as an artist.  The word "naked" has a harsh feeling in the meaning to it, as in he was stripped naked and searched before being let go. To use the word "nude" for artistic endeavors has a softer meaning to me. Posing nude is far different sounding than posing naked.

aquarelle wrote:
What’s the difference between “Naked” and “Nude?”

The words pretty much mean the same, don’t they?  But why don’t the words ever seem to be interchangeable?  There is Norman Mailer’s war novel, “The Naked and the Dead.”  Why not “The Nude and the Dead?” 

Naked Lunch; Naked City;  The Naked Spur;  Naked Aggression;  Go Naked in the World;  The Naked Eye; The Naked Maja;  The Naked Prey;  The Naked Edge.  These are famous books, paintings, movies and phrases that have entered the culture.  Why is everything “Naked?”  Why isn’t anything “Nude?”

Models pose nude.  We never hear of a “naked” model.  It’s nude photography, not naked photography.  Nude figure art, not naked figure art.   A nude statue, not a naked statue.

We have Duchamp’s “Nude Descending a Staircase,” but there it’s used as a noun.  You couldn’t have “Naked Descending a Staircase.  There’s no noun form for “naked”—unlike “A Nude,” there’s no such thing as “A Naked.”

I’m a figure painter.  I would never ask a model to pose “naked” for me.  It sounds like she’d be embarrassingly “nude,” exposed and maybe even damp and chilly.  “Naked” seems kind of like “nude,” but with less clothes on. 

Anyone have any thoughts on that? 

(I would like to add, however, that I am neither a “Nude” painter OR a “Naked” painter.  I usually keep my clothes on when I’m working.)

IMHO, "Nude" implies unclothed, artfully. "Naked" implies a vulnerability, or unintentional nudity. I try to aim for both, FWIW.

Patrick Walberg wrote:
..."naked" has a harsh feeling ...

Nude has a softer feel.

Weldphoto wrote:
Seems also that nude refers to people whereas naked can describe more, like "naked truth". It is an interesting subject as a so many words in the English language. I agree that when referring to a person "naked" is a bit harsh.

English language is a fun topic.

“Naked” also has the feeling of being caught unprepared—“I dreamt I was giving a speech and I was naked.”

“Nude” seems more willing and intentional—“Nude bathing permitted here.”

Adventure Photos wrote:
I think of 'nude' as photo arts, and artistry.  Or of a nudist, nude resort.  'Naked' sounds like when a person is surprised in a nude situation..."caught naked", when skinny dipping let's say.  The Naked Run, or Naked Mile' as we hear nude group runs often called.   I think many translations from the bible about sin and being nude, also use the word 'naked' , nakedness, etc.  So it seems to have a more negative interpretation to many people.    There was an awful , sex haven sort of 'nude' resort near me known as 'Naked City' back in the mid 1980's, so the word seems to fit well for something more nasty than just nude arts.

Good observations.  Adam and Eve didn’t discover that they were nude in the garden, but “Naked.”

I remember Indiana’s Naked City very well.  When I was in college, I was a guest on Chicagoan Jack Eigen’s NBC  radio show, promoting a school play festival.  In a very odd pairing, the winner of the Miss Nude Universe, the 1st runner up, and Dick Drost, the Naked City promoter were also guests.  The two winners sat naked in the studio while a couple of student actors and I talked about college theatre.  Afterwards, Miss Nude Universe gave me a warm embrace and invited me out to Naked City to see her.  One of the strangest nights of my life.

True story.

Bob Helm Photography wrote:
While both mean lack of clothing Naked also implies vulnerability and without means of protection.

This is exactly why I always describe my modelling work as naked.  I find that thinking of it as being vulnerable, exposed, and without protection makes the entire creative process have a different feel or atmosphere, which works very well for me and for the people I model for. 

I think it's important, at least to me, to make that description of myself as being naked.  And I certainly hope that is the thought that many of my photos and art I've posed for over the years leaves with those who see them.

Patrick Walberg wrote:
To use "naked" as in someone saying "Oh do you shoot naked women?"  seems low brow to me.  There are times when one might use the word "naked" but not so much as an artist.  The word "naked" has a harsh feeling in the meaning to it, as in he was stripped naked and searched before being let go. To use the word "nude" for artistic endeavors has a softer meaning to me. Posing nude is far different sounding than posing naked.

It may have a different interpretation when a model such as myself thinks of herself as being naked, than it would be for a creative person like a photographer or artist to use that word when hiring a model.  It works quite nicely for me to think of myself as being naked while modelling. 

Maybe it is a bit harsher, but it's perfect for me.  As an example, I offer this photo by MM member Lindee Robinson, entitled "The Naked Truth" in which a 20ish girl (interestingly she was not a model and did this as a favor to the photographer) intentionally dressed to look like a Barbie doll is contrasted with me sitting naked in the corner, and frowning at her.  I am most definitely naked, vulnerable, and unprotected, and the nearly 800 positive comments think so too, as well as all the people who attended the art gallery show where this was originally displayed.  I think if this were called "The Nude Truth" instead, it would not be as effective of a title, nor would it set the mood that was intended as a creative adventure here.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27800803  warning 18+

There are times when "Naked" just works better than "Nude".

aquarelle wrote:

Good observations.  Adam and Eve didn’t discover that they were nude in the garden, but “Naked.”

I remember Indiana’s Naked City very well.  When I was in college, I was a guest on Chicagoan Jack Eigen’s NBC  radio show, promoting a school play festival.  In a very odd pairing, the winner of the Miss Nude Universe, the 1st runner up, and Dick Drost, the Naked City promoter were also guests.  The two winners sat naked in the studio while a couple of student actors and I talked about college theatre.  Afterwards, Miss Nude Universe gave me a warm embrace and invited me out to Naked City to see her.  One of the strangest nights of my life.

True story.

Yes, Dick was there when I attended some kind of Nude Universe or whatever contest.  Various divisions, by build, petite, average and huge( implants usually).  He rode around after with his top 3 on his lap, showing them off.  My visit was at just the start of the VHS era and I was toting a heavy camera, tapes and 20 lbs of spare batteries, as they allowed us to film or photograph any and all of the sexual activity and display going on that day.  I'd say the word 'Naked' fit perfect for that place.

MatureModelMM wrote:

This is exactly why I always describe my modelling work as naked.  I find that thinking of it as being vulnerable, exposed, and without protection makes the entire creative process have a different feel or atmosphere, which works very well for me and for the people I model for. 

I think it's important, at least to me, to make that description of myself as being naked.  And I certainly hope that is the thought that many of my photos and art I've posed for over the years leaves with those who see them.


It may have a different interpretation when a model such as myself thinks of herself as being naked, than it would be for a creative person like a photographer or artist to use that word when hiring a model.  It works quite nicely for me to think of myself as being naked while modelling. 

Maybe it is a bit harsher, but it's perfect for me.  As an example, I offer this photo by MM member Lindee Robinson, entitled "The Naked Truth" in which a 20ish girl (interestingly she was not a model and did this as a favor to the photographer) intentionally dressed to look like a Barbie doll is contrasted with me sitting naked in the corner, and frowning at her.  I am most definitely naked, vulnerable, and unprotected, and the nearly 800 positive comments think so too, as well as all the people who attended the art gallery show where this was originally displayed.  I think if this were called "The Nude Truth" instead, it would not be as effective of a title, nor would it set the mood that was intended as a creative adventure here.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27800803  warning 18+

There are times when "Naked" just works better than "Nude".

Your “sitting there ‘naked’ in the corner“ is the perfect use of the word!  Great photo!

aquarelle wrote:
Naked City was the kind of place to see everything you always wanted to see, and you’d end up seeing more than you wanted to.

Much more.

You got that right. I was a complete 'noob' to all that back then.  I'd been a wilderness nudist, photographer for women outdoors, but never had gone to a nude resort, let alone a place also called 'sin city' back then.  I expected to see a few things, but got way more than expected and nobody cared that was recording it all on my big VCR.    My first use of the 'new' unit back then around '85' or so.   I wanted to make my own 'porn' vid to use at my buddy's bachelor party instead of a cheap rental vid.  Real people, real spread women, real erections being sucked off or played with by the 'contestants' of this so called 'pageant'.   It was like being in a totally different world for sure.   Never returned again until last summer as its' totally changed and is almost 18+ tame for ordinary people now.

Dea and the Beast wrote:
I'm  a nude model, not a naked model.

To me, nude is my choice, naked is not.

Perceptive observation!

Dea and the Beast wrote:
I'm  a nude model, not a naked model.

To me, nude is my choice, naked is not.

Agree. I think 'naked' sounds either a surprise, or unwilling result of some event.   For a model, her work with a professional photographer should be about different 'nude' poses and settings.    Don't think she would respond well to a photo shoot where the photographer just stands there and tells you;   " OK, just get naked for me now by this couch."      Yikes.  Go home.

Dea and the Beast wrote:
I'm  a nude model, not a naked model.

To me, nude is my choice, naked is not.

I totally appreciate your thoughts about this and can understand your interpretation of the words.

I'm first and foremost an art model, a figure model, a woman who chooses to remove her clothing and pose for creative people.  OK, I also must admit that being paid to undress for art enters into that decision as well, as it does for most of us. Although I love the creative opportunities well enough to sometimes forego monetary compensation, particularly when working with students.

I am choosing to think of myself as naked, and if others prefer to use the word nude, that is fine as well particularly if they find the word naked to be too harsh for their preference.  It's all good, in my thinking. I would not insist that anyone else use the word naked, the choice has to be a personal one for every individual.

MatureModelMM wrote:

I totally appreciate your thoughts about this and can understand your interpretation of the words.

I'm first and foremost an art model, a figure model, a woman who chooses to remove her clothing and pose for creative people.  OK, I also must admit that being paid to undress for art enters into that decision as well, as it does for most of us. Although I love the creative opportunities well enough to sometimes forego monetary compensation, particularly when working with students.

I am choosing to think of myself as naked, and if others prefer to use the word nude, that is fine as well particularly if they find the word naked to be too harsh for their preference.  It's all good, in my thinking. I would not insist that anyone else use the word naked, the choice has to be a personal one for every individual.

Agree that the model may interpret, may see herself as a naked' person.  But I think on first contact and photoshoot with a new photographer, it is proper for him to address his photo interests as being 'in the nude'.  Not 'you must get naked for me'. sort of approach.   Once established, and if you enjoy the use of the word,  and how it seems to be the topic here,,,then yes, in a shared sense of humor you may both say such as "Well, it's time to get naked and get that camera rolling"   It is up to both model and photog to establish the terms and the atmosphere.

AndysPrints wrote:
It's easy to overthink this.

Color photos are Naked
Black & White photo are Nude

It's really just that simple.

wow love this way of thinking beautiful

Adventure Photos wrote:
Agree that the model may interpret, may see herself as a naked' person.  But I think on first contact and photoshoot with a new photographer, it is proper for him to address his photo interests as being 'in the nude'.  Not 'you must get naked for me'. sort of approach.   Once established, and if you enjoy the use of the word,  and how it seems to be the topic here,,,then yes, in a shared sense of humor you may both say such as "Well, it's time to get naked and get that camera rolling"   It is up to both model and photog to establish the terms and the atmosphere.

I book nude shoots, not naked shoots.

Although I am usually naked before the photographer has removed their lens cap, so no need to prompt anyone.

Adventure Photos wrote:
I think the words have a distinctly different meaning to some people, on the way they were raised.   As far as models and photographers go,,, I'd think they get used to interchanged use of words. BUT I'd hope that a new photographer with a model would use 'nude, natural, clothes-free' in his first conversations about his photo ideas, instead of just blurting out  'you will have to be NAKED for my photo shoots'.. That's just not classy......Later as they know each other, it might strike up a laugh between them, but not to begin.

You sound scared talking to models.

Dea and the Beast wrote:
I'm  a nude model, not a naked model.

To me, nude is my choice, naked is not.

Dea and the Beast wrote:
Although I am usually naked before the photographer has removed their lens cap, so no need to prompt anyone.

Consensual Non-Consent in action.

JSouthworth wrote:
What's the difference between "nude" and "bottomless"?

I have never been to a cafe that had a nude cup of coffee, for one.

JSouthworth wrote:
What's the difference between "nude" and "bottomless"?

To me, if you describe a model as posing bottomless, that does not mean she is topless as well, so she would be wearing something on top ranging from lingerie, an undershirt, or a bra, all the way to wearing a shirt. 

The word bottomless only indicates to me that she is wearing nothing at all below the waist.  A model who is either topless, or bottomless, but not both, is not nude, but she is clearly very exposed by most people's standards.

Bob Helm Photography wrote:
While both mean lack of clothing Naked also implies vulnerability and without means of protection.

THIS !!!

MatureModelMM wrote:
To me, if you describe a model as posing bottomless, that does not mean she is topless as well, so she would be wearing something on top ranging from lingerie, an undershirt, or a bra, all the way to wearing a shirt. 

The word bottomless only indicates to me that she is wearing nothing at all below the waist.  A model who is either topless, or bottomless, but not both, is not nude, but she is clearly very exposed by most people's standards.

According to Websters dictionary, bottomless does mean nude, or featuring nudity as in bottomless bar, bottomless contest. Think the Sunset Strip in the 1960s

JSouthworth wrote:
According to Websters dictionary, bottomless does mean nude, or featuring nudity as in bottomless bar, bottomless contest. Think the Sunset Strip in the 1960s

"According to Websters dictionary, bottomless does mean nude"

No, it doesn't say that.

It lists "nude" as a qualified synonym. The qualification being "from the absence of lower as well as upper garments".

As usual, your ability to comprehend what is actually written is severely lacking.

JSouthworth wrote:
According to Websters dictionary, bottomless does mean nude...

Bottomless, but NOT nude!
it's not even worthy of marking it "M-18+"
(I can't believe I replied to this lame and site-killing thread)