Nude Photography

Nude photography is the genre of art photography, whose subject is the representation of the naked (full nude) or partially naked (half nude) human body.

The artistic value of nude photography and its boundary to erotic photography can only be determined with difficulty and inter-subjectively and is also affected by its numerous overlaps with pornography. Inevitably, nude photography as well as erotic photography always find themselves branded in multiple ways, and labelled as works of artistic freedom.

The boundaries of nude photography, erotic photography and pornography are so undefined and continuously changing that they are always determined and defined by the subjective moral view of the individual and the generally accepted cultural confines of certain “customs and tradition”.

Whether the picture itself is art or junk always lies in the eye of the beholder. One (subjective) definition of the worth of nude photography is: “A nude photo is good, when the Model shows it around at the coffee table at her grandmother’s birthday party and receives positive feedback.” 

For Horst Werner this art form has always been about provocation and evoking of emotions. He prefers disgust, shock and aversion (as evoked for example by his photographs of nudes at a cemetery or of disabled people). As we all know it is  nowadays no longer such a taboo to depict the primary sex features of a human being. .

Tasteful nude photography is often regarded as highly skilled photography and besides technical knowledge and the ability to manipulate light, the nude photographer also needs strong communication skills and the ability to build a positive relationship with his model.

Nude photography divides into three basic forms: the "classic" full nude, the detailed nude and finally the half nude, where the model is partially clothed or partially wrapped with accessories.

History and development of Nude Photography:

Already the early high cultures (Egypt, Crete, India among others) knew much about nude representations. Its development into other representation forms can be pursued from Greek clay to the art of the middle ages and on to the European art of the modern age. Since the renaissance, the study of the nude human body is an intrinsic part of art education at art academies.


Did you know: Since the mid 1800's nude has also become the object of photography. Models were both professionals and prostitutes and photographs were both artistic and “spicy”, which often invited the aversion of moral and law enforcement officers.

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