Forums > General Industry > Question mainly for nude models

Model

Leila

Posts: 527

Worcester, Massachusetts, US

As a nude model would you rather be sort of pale or have tan lines?

And photographers who shoot nude models what do you prefer?

May 31 05 01:13 pm Link

Photographer

Sophistocles

Posts: 21320

Seattle, Washington, US

Both. And the third option, be tan all over, with no lines.

All have their artistic place.

May 31 05 01:27 pm Link

Photographer

CreativeSandBoxStudio

Posts: 1984

London, England, United Kingdom

I perfer no tan lines myself

May 31 05 01:31 pm Link

Photographer

Brian Diaz

Posts: 65617

Danbury, Connecticut, US

I prefer no tan lines, pale or tan, even for non-nudes.  You never know what any particular outfit will reveal, and tan lines distract from the design or the model's natural beauty.

May 31 05 01:39 pm Link

Model

Shyly

Posts: 3870

Pasadena, California, US

I think you'll find that Chris is right, and depending on the context, photographer, and model, any of those might be preferred.

I've yet to work with a photographer who wanted tan lines - in fact, most explicitly let their models know not to get them.  But I've noticed that in glamour-oriented portfolios they're much more common, as they can be with some pin-up styles as well.

May 31 05 02:08 pm Link

Photographer

Alluring Exposures

Posts: 11400

Casa Grande, Arizona, US

I prefer no tan lines, unless needed for the specific look and then they shouldn't be too extreme...

May 31 05 02:24 pm Link

Model

Hel Inferna

Posts: 112

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US

NO tan lines

May 31 05 02:27 pm Link

Model

theda

Posts: 21719

New York, New York, US

Tan lines are strongly discouraged in most of the nude modeling I've seen and done.

Obviously, I go for pale. My genetics give me little choice.

I'm pretty sure pale is more desirable than beet red.

May 31 05 02:28 pm Link

Photographer

Glamour Studio /Gary

Posts: 1237

Tan lines, not acceptable (commercially speaking). Unless of course you want pics for a nudist colony site.

The rule used to be (not sure of anything anymore) lingerie-no tan. Swimwear-tan but no lines, nude-no lines. Tan lines look amateur although there is a market for that amateur look mainly in adult work.
I will not shoot anyone with tan lines but that's me, naturally cash can easily change my views smile

May 31 05 02:30 pm Link

Photographer

LongWindFPV Visuals

Posts: 7052

Las Vegas, Nevada, US

Tan lines on glamour and fine art nudes don't make for very good displays. Also, I prefer an even complexion on the model.

May 31 05 02:42 pm Link

Photographer

edrickguerrero photography

Posts: 187

Pasadena, California, US

tanlines are porno. at least they remind me of porno. that reminds me to look at some porno right now...

May 31 05 02:46 pm Link

Photographer

edrickguerrero photography

Posts: 187

Pasadena, California, US

pale is good. tanned bodies are good. but muscle definition is what makes a great nude image. or rather, curves and shadows. but tanlines are porno.

May 31 05 02:48 pm Link

Photographer

Martin Hazine

Posts: 212

Phoenix, Arizona, US

Glamour Studio /Gary
Photographer     "Tan lines, not acceptable (commercially speaking). Unless of course you want pics for a nudist colony site."

It would be tough to explain a picture showing people at a nudist colony with tan lines. 

Personally, I prefer girls that are tan all over.  It helps to show off the muscle definition of the model.

May 31 05 02:49 pm Link

Photographer

BlackSkyPhoto

Posts: 1130

Danville, California, US


I have to say no tan lines also..... especially if you are shading or toning an image it makes for uneven toning..

If anyone is Hot and needs a place to tan naked - I have a hottub and a private deck..

Or sorry - Creepy photogrpaher mode too over for a second.

May 31 05 02:59 pm Link

Photographer

StMarc

Posts: 2959

Chicago, Illinois, US

While I'm not disagreeing, I find it very Amusing that tan lines do seem to have that amateur/porno connotation to many people, considering that the way you avoid tan lines is to tan with *no* clothes on, whereas the way you get tan lines is to tan with *some* clothes on, so the *logical* conclusion is that people with tan lines are *more* modest that people without.

As the saying goes, logic is simply a way of coming to an incorrect conclusion with confidence.

M

May 31 05 04:07 pm Link

Photographer

Justin

Posts: 22389

Fort Collins, Colorado, US

Don't like tan lines - I'm trying to pull in the mood of the shot, with the nudity incorporated as part of the overall impression, without pulling the eye of the viewer to an obvious tan line (or tattoo, for that matter, but that's a different thread).

This shot would've looked weird with tan lines.  Well, maybe it looks weird anyway, but it's just for an example of why tan lines are not so good for the art shots.

https://justinonimus.com/Rain-on-counter1-sepia.jpg

May 31 05 04:18 pm Link

Photographer

Herb Way

Posts: 1506

Black Mountain, North Carolina, US

Posted by theda: 

I'm pretty sure pale is more desirable than beet red.

Actually, bronze with no tan lines is the most desirable.

May 31 05 04:21 pm Link

Photographer

Hugh Jorgen

Posts: 2850

Ashland, Oregon, US

tan lines are only good for suntan commercials and porno!!

May 31 05 04:23 pm Link

Photographer

John Swoger

Posts: 192

Peoria, Arizona, US

I'd have to go with pale or tan all over. As others have stated tan lines are distracting, they break up the natural lines of the female form.

May 31 05 04:32 pm Link

Photographer

Monsante Bey

Posts: 2111

Columbus, Georgia, US

Depends on what i'm trying to shoot.

May 31 05 04:32 pm Link

Photographer

not here anymore.

Posts: 1892

San Diego, California, US

No tan lines please.  If she's pale, she MUST have black hair.  If she's tan, anything will do.  Also, the models have to be hot.  That is all.

May 31 05 06:13 pm Link

Photographer

Glamour Studio /Gary

Posts: 1237

Posted by MartinH: 
Glamour Studio /Gary
Photographer     "Tan lines, not acceptable (commercially speaking). Unless of course you want pics for a nudist colony site."

It would be tough to explain a picture showing people at a nudist colony with tan lines. 

Personally, I prefer girls that are tan all over.  It helps to show off the muscle definition of the model.

Well ya gotta figure some do go to regular beaches also unless they're die hard nudists. Recreational nudists?

The nudist thing was actually joke, I should have really put the j/k on it.

May 31 05 06:25 pm Link

Model

Leila

Posts: 527

Worcester, Massachusetts, US

Posted by edrickguerrero photography: 
tanlines are porno. at least they remind me of porno. that reminds me to look at some porno right now...

I always hate that in porno. I don't care how hot the woman is...if she has real bad tan lines it just ruins it for me.

May 31 05 07:49 pm Link

Model

Leila

Posts: 527

Worcester, Massachusetts, US

Posted by Herb Way: 

Posted by theda: 

I'm pretty sure pale is more desirable than beet red.

Actually, bronze with no tan lines is the most desirable.

Actually it depends what you are shooting for.

May 31 05 07:51 pm Link

Model

Jin

Posts: 534

Martinsburg, West Virginia, US

I prefer what I am.  Lightly tanned all over with no tans lines. 

May 31 05 08:13 pm Link

Photographer

edrickguerrero photography

Posts: 187

Pasadena, California, US

see! tan lines ARE porno!

Posted by Hugh  Jorgen ©: 
tan lines are only good for suntan commercials and porno!!

May 31 05 08:21 pm Link

Photographer

Joel Belmont

Posts: 138

Rochester, Washington, US

Wow.  Really profound level of discourse here. 

Photographers interested in porn, and who judge women by some mystical rating of 'hotness', really make me sad, because they are perpetuating the idea that a woman has the main role of being an object of sex, and that they are a subservient and less capable sex than we mighty males.  And it places all worth of a person on what they look like from what? 18-30?  Are they not beautiful after that?  Any contributions to this thread to what actually makes a person beautiful, or dare I ask?  What makes YOU, as a photographer, beautiful?  I am pretty sure it is not your 'hotness'.

This trite level of judgemtn is all you see in the media, and it makes me sad to see it here.

May 31 05 08:29 pm Link

Model

Amber Dawn - Indiana

Posts: 6255

Salem, Indiana, US

I love my paleness!

May 31 05 08:41 pm Link

Photographer

Color Blind Photography

Posts: 34

Omaha, Nebraska, US

I don't know about digital but if your shooting black and white film no tan works better.

May 31 05 08:57 pm Link

Model

Jenniferlicious

Posts: 9

Shoreham, Michigan, US

I try to sunbathe nude to avoid tanlines.

May 31 05 09:06 pm Link

Model

Lapis

Posts: 8424

Chicago, Illinois, US

I wondered why I would do lingerie and not swimsuit...lol. On my other portfolio, I mention the paleness of my skin. I am a WHITE person, and people comment on it a lot. This has made me good for art shots, and terrible for beer commercials. I have to accept that.

May 31 05 09:08 pm Link

Model

Jessika Rae

Posts: 113

Akron, Ohio, US

I personally don't like tan lines.  Preferably tan or pale.  On me, I prefer a very light tan, though with my fair skin I'd rather be pale than have the sunburn I would normally get.  I hate to see the extremes of fake and bake tans.  Sometimes they just end up looking like leather, unless that's what they're going for, but I bet not.  Just my two cents!
-Jessika

May 31 05 10:33 pm Link

Photographer

Ascending Phoenix

Posts: 418

Lexington, Kentucky, US

Pale as a ghost..Ilford HP500 pushed to 1200 or 1600 ISO and no elastic marks

For me I love the contrast of milk tone skin and a dark background,But I dont taught myself as a Mainstream Art Shooter.I shoot for me and the Model.Did I say I prefer Petite to top heavy?? Guess I have now

May 31 05 10:58 pm Link

Photographer

Alluring Exposures

Posts: 11400

Casa Grande, Arizona, US

This thread has nothing to do with judging women's "hotness" but about whether or not tanlines are desireable in a model or not.

Posted by Joel Belmont: 
Wow.  Really profound level of discourse here. 

Photographers interested in porn, and who judge women by some mystical rating of 'hotness', really make me sad, because they are perpetuating the idea that a woman has the main role of being an object of sex, and that they are a subservient and less capable sex than we mighty males.  And it places all worth of a person on what they look like from what? 18-30?  Are they not beautiful after that?  Any contributions to this thread to what actually makes a person beautiful, or dare I ask?  What makes YOU, as a photographer, beautiful?  I am pretty sure it is not your 'hotness'.

This trite level of judgemtn is all you see in the media, and it makes me sad to see it here.

Jun 01 05 01:50 am Link

Photographer

DJTalStudios

Posts: 602

Seattle, Washington, US

For the male photographers... If she's gettin naked shut up and let her do her thing.... LOL

No really, I prefer no tan lines. But this is not always possible. What REALLY gets me is when a model comes in, disrobes and she's got tanlines from like 3 different bathing suits. WTF???? Find a suit and stick with it!

Posted by Joel Belmont: 
Wow.  Really profound level of discourse here. 

Photographers interested in porn, and who judge women by some mystical rating of 'hotness', really make me sad, because they are perpetuating the idea that a woman has the main role of being an object of sex, and that they are a subservient and less capable sex than we mighty males. 

Kicks Joels soapbox out from under him. Ummmmm Have you looked at a Cosmo recently? Maybe vogue? Where's the 60 year old woman who ISN'T Liz Taylor? I don't see many 80 year old grandma's being posed suggestively in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit edition.

Here's something we in the PORN industry have already figured out and it seems that civillians haven't .... Women are the most powerful sexual creatures on the planet! Because of that women could rule the world if they didn't hate each other so much. And the ones who actually use their brains go far and end up owning and running stuff.

Posted by Joel Belmont:
And it places all worth of a person on what they look like from what? 18-30?  Are they not beautiful after that?

That's what modeling is based on. Do we give a damn if Tyra Banks has a degree in chemical engineering? Nope. We do care if she looks good in a Victoria's Secret catalog though. That is the nature of the "BUSINESS".

Posted by Joel Belmont:
Any contributions to this thread to what actually makes a person beautiful, or dare I ask?  What makes YOU, as a photographer, beautiful?  I am pretty sure it is not your 'hotness'.

This trite level of judgemtn is all you see in the media, and it makes me sad to see it here.

Somehow I don't recall too many photographers who get paid for how they look. Hell I don't get paid as a model based on how I look, but based on what I've got to offer and how I bring my game =o) Cuz I know I ain't much to look at.

But as was said by Carlos this thread has nothing to do with a model's hotness... but what photographers prefer to shoot.

Jun 01 05 03:35 pm Link

Photographer

PTH Photo

Posts: 88

Las Vegas, Nevada, US

NO tan lines please. I believe they are distracting and breaks up the image if you are trying to do something artistic.

Jun 04 05 03:25 am Link

Photographer

Kentsoul

Posts: 9739

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US

I thought about this one for a couple of days, just to make sure I wasn't just being  contrary.  I don't have a problem with tan lines...in fact I welcome them. In my work, the sight of ordinary things like tan lines, elastic marks, slightly imperfect makeup, hair out of place or what have you adds an element of reality to what i do, which heightens the sexualness.  I want my images to look like they are of real live people, not some constructivist ideal.

Jun 04 05 03:42 am Link

Photographer

Kentsoul

Posts: 9739

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US

Posted by Joel Belmont: 
Wow.  Really profound level of discourse here. 

Photographers interested in porn, and who judge women by some mystical rating of 'hotness', really make me sad, because they are perpetuating the idea that a woman has the main role of being an object of sex, and that they are a subservient and less capable sex than we mighty males.  And it places all worth of a person on what they look like from what? 18-30?  Are they not beautiful after that?  Any contributions to this thread to what actually makes a person beautiful, or dare I ask?  What makes YOU, as a photographer, beautiful?  I am pretty sure it is not your 'hotness'.

This trite level of judgemtn is all you see in the media, and it makes me sad to see it here.

Forgive them, for they know not what they do. wink

Jun 04 05 03:44 am Link

Photographer

Hugh Jorgen

Posts: 2850

Ashland, Oregon, US

Posted by Joel Belmont: 

What makes YOU, as a photographer, beautiful?  I am pretty sure it is not your 'hotness'.

'hotness' A term used to describe-Chili Peppers-Babes-Audio

But if you insist!!

Sweet peppers---------------------------0
Cubanelle-------------------------------1.5 (f)
New Mexico 6-4L-------------------------3 (f)
Conquistador----------------------------9 (f)
Pueblo---------------------------------14 (f)
Navajo---------------------------------16 (f)
Bishop's Cap---------------------------18 (f)
Ancho Mexican Large--------------------22 (f)
Anaheim--------------------------------25 (f)
Rio Grande-----------------------------25 (f)
Merah----------------------------------26 (f)
Hungarian Yellow Wax-------------------42 (f)
Sandia---------------------------------42 (f)
Joe E. Parker--------------------------53 (f)
Mexican Negro--------------------------72 (f)
Sweet Wrinkled Old Man-----------------90 (f)
Asao Fang Tsiao-----------------------125 (f)
Cherry Large Hot----------------------125 (f)
Espanhola-----------------------------131 (f)
Mulato--------------------------------135 (f)
Serrano-------------------------------150 (f)
New Mexico Improved-------------------166 (f)
Fresno--------------------------------178 (f)
Sweet-Hot Red Habanero----------------200 (f)
Aji Brazilian Little Red--------------222 (f)
Jalapeno "M"--------------------------238 (f)
Calcutta Long (PC-2)------------------270 (f)
Aji Bolivian Marble-------------------286 (f)
Aci Sivri-----------------------------320 (f)
Chimayo-------------------------------370 (f)
Aji Brazilian Dedo De Moca------------385 (f)
Trupti--------------------------------400 (f)
Aji Exploding Fire--------------------444 (f)
Manzano Orange------------------------500 (f)
Sucutuba Habanero---------------------555 (f)
Manzano Red---------------------------600 (f)
Cayenne Long Slim---------------------625 (f)
Little Finger Aji---------------------666 (f)
Cayenne French------------------------667 (f)
Jalapeno Early------------------------700 (f)
Api-----------------------------------740 (f)
Habanero Ecuador Red------------------833 (f)
Suryamukhi Cluster--------------------833 (f)
Manzano Yellow------------------------840 (f)
Aji Yellow--------------------------1,000 (d)
Santa Fe Grande---------------------1,120 (f)
Sri Lankan--------------------------1,142 (f)
Puya--------------------------------1,250 (d)
Guajillo----------------------------1,300 (f)
Tapahuna Indian Habanero------------1,333 (f)
Jwala-------------------------------1,428 (f)
Portugal Hot------------------------1,428 (f)
Aji Rojo----------------------------1,500 (d)
Bangalore Torpedo-------------------1,666 (f)
Papafina Habanero-------------------1,667 (f)
Flame Fountain----------------------2,000 (f)
Jalapeno Craig's Triple-Hot---------2,222 (f)
Fogoso Habanero---------------------2,222 (f)
Fountain Red------------------------2,500 (f)
Twilight----------------------------2,500 (f)
Gundu-------------------------------2,857 (d)
Aji Brazilian Bonanza---------------3,333 (f)
Doida Habanero----------------------3,333 (f)
Zimbabwe Large----------------------3,333 (f)
Azr---------------------------------4,000 (f)
De Rata-----------------------------5,000 (f)
Luciferino Habanero-----------------5,000 (f)
Turi--------------------------------5,000 (f)
Xixixi Habanero---------------------5,000 (f)
Scotch Bonnet Red/Jamaican Hot------5,000 (f)
Yatsufusa---------------------------5,700 (f)
Kurnool-----------------------------5,714 (d)
Habanero Chocolate------------------6,000 (f)
Cuerudo 6K--------------------------6,000 (f)
Beberrona Habanero------------------6,666 (f)
Thai Bangkok Upright----------------6,700 (d)
Round Chilly------------------------7,143 (d)
De Arbol----------------------------8,000 (d)
Malagueta Craig's Selection---------8,000 (f)
Nepali Orange-----------------------8,333 (f)
Rebentona Habanero------------------9,000 (f)
Condor's Beak Habanero-------------10,000 (f)
Mayan Cobanero Love----------------10,000 (d)
Red Chili--------------------------10,000 (f)
Tabasco----------------------------10,000 (f)
Habanero Orange Craig's Double-Hot 10,000 (f)
Red Savina® in Guinness Worlds Records*---10,000 (f)
Punjab Small Hot-------------------13,300 (d)
Habanero White Bullet?-------------16,000 (d)
Japones----------------------------16,000 (d)
Zimbabwe Bird----------------------19,500 (d)
Assam------------------------------20,000 (d)
Pequin-----------------------------20,000 (d)
Indian PC-1------------------------25,000 (f)
Habanero Gold Bullet? 40K----------40,000 (f)
Tepín (seeds removed)--world's hottest spice 20,000-64,000(d)


I would describe myself as just a little Tepin (:---

Jun 04 05 04:11 am Link

Photographer

Dan RI

Posts: 137

Providence, Rhode Island, US

Hugh,

I liked your post on the hotness factor.  One note of warning that I learned on a photoshoot of many different hot sauces.  Wash your hands BEFORE and after going to the bathroom and YOU must do so before meeting the significant other for the evening.  Sorry I interupted the thread by responding to the interupter; responding to the other interupter.

Tan lines.  Hot in person sometimes but not on film.  Now back to throwing stones at each other.

Jun 04 05 04:29 am Link