Dynamic Nude

The day after I signed up to visit Cuba with Lee Frost’s Photo Adventures, I flew to Ukraine on business. In the Vienna airport, I bought a photography magazine and saw an ad for the Dynamic Nude workshop in Utah and I instantly wanted to join.

I booked my spot from Ukraine.

My main goal with attending the workshop was to learn how to interact respectfully with models, and how to find models to work with. During the trip I succeeded with both these goals. One of the models explained how Model Mayhem works, and when I got home I signed up and that is how most of the professional models I have worked with found me.

The workshop was run by Joel Belmont and Kim Weston, Edward Weston’s grandson. Edward Weston was a hero of mine from my childhood interest in photography and my studies at university.

One of the highlights of the Dynamic Nude workshop was the evening critique of pictures made that day by Kim and Joel. After looking for a time at the first picture I presented, Kim said, “There is not really much I can say I would change about this photo. It reminds me of my grandfather’s work.” I must say, that was a nice moment for me.

The workshop I attended included four models: Andrea, Kammeron, Michelle, and Sonia.

Unlike the other photographically themed events I attended, such as Lee’s Photo Adventures and Ivana’s Photo Holidays, Joel had a strong mission with his event. He preached Fine Art Nude photography, proselytized developing a story in pictures through carefully thought out symbols, and warned against falling into the evils of exploitative or pornographic pictures.

I very much liked the workshop’s focus on respecting the models and thinking deeply about making art, although I’m not sure that they would approve of all the work I have done since.

The magazine Model Society devoted its second volume on the Dynamic Nude workshop and included pictures made by attendees over multiple events. A few of my own images were included in that issue.

My original edits from the workshop were almost exclusively black and white. A few years later, I re-processed some of my favorites in color.