I took this picture as research before a photosession. I used my wife and realised once a took the images how loose and flexible her skin was. I asked her to play around with it and ended up with this image.
When I looked at it in Photoshop I started wondering about the body, my own and others, it also led me wondering about getting old.
We are constantly bombarded with images how a “beautiful” body should look like and I think we are all a bit self conscious of how we look. Looking at the images that I took made me realise that the human body is so much more. I started to take pictures of myself and then reached out to people who would be willing to model for me.
I started taking pictures of bodies in all shapes and forms, and realised how beautiful the human body is regardless of age or form.
During that time I was suffering from a big creative crisis, and also a small crisis in my personal life. This image came to symbolise my inner me. How my own anxiety would look like in a picture. In all the images I have made since I have had that in mind. Many of the models I have worked with have also used the session as a form of therapy.
I have often used the human body as an abstract. I create images of the body as an organic form rather than just showing the whole body. Through lines, shapes and forms the body evolves into an human amoeba. The body form bends into something unrecognisable, but still remains very human.
Technically, the image was created with very simple tools. I placed my model in my hall. Put the flash almost above her and took the shot. I tried various angels but in the end decided on the one shown.
What do you think are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!
The composition and lighting. And the flexible skin.
If you would be able to make this photo once again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?
I would like the skin to flex even more, be more accurate in the composition.
Björn Nillson shared his photograph in the FRAMES Facebook Group.
Photographer
Björn Nillson, Sweden
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / VOGUE
Equipment and Settings
Nikon D810 + Nikon 50mm f/1.4, Elinchrom Quadra
1/250 sec., f/7.1, ISO 64
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George H Wood
April 3, 2020 at 12:15
Photographing the human body often leads to documentary style of portraiture.The images that most intrigue me, which includes this one, tell a story- yes perhaps an inner story that we might not want to express. However. once said and confronted, the image stands as a testament to that inner strength.
Björn
April 6, 2020 at 19:45
Thank you for that reply! It was heartwarming and will keep me going.
Glenn Fuss
April 3, 2020 at 14:54
Make the image black & white.
Björn
April 6, 2020 at 19:48
I’ve done edits and black and white. They are more “classic” in style. This is more me, my personal take.
Peter Herley
April 3, 2020 at 16:26
Excellent work and the writen story beyond words – Plus beauity is in the eye of the beholder .
Björn
April 6, 2020 at 19:46
Yes, beauty is such a difficult subject but also one of the most intriguing. Thank you!
Bruno Chalifour
April 4, 2020 at 23:01
Interesting extrapolation of John Coplans or Marc Pataut’s works. To be continued I hope….
Björn
April 6, 2020 at 19:49
Thank you for the references! I will look them up. And I’ll continue working on this until I’m ready to make a book or a show out of it.