Something I’ve been pondering lately.. what constitutes a nude? how much needs to be seen in order for it to be a nude. how much clothing is too much? how much skin is too little? what are your views on what turns a figure into a nude?

That’s a difficult question.
I try to keep it tasteful. The pose, the lighting, the softness.
I avoid displaying genitals because I feel this removes the artistic and borders on porn (just my opinion). A strategically placed cloth can make the difference, even if it’s see through.

Yep..I agree try to keep it tasteful!!!!
regarding genitals.. I have a different idea..sometimes we need the whole body part too…as long as support by a good environment and good (positive) pose.and much more important is not the main focus!
it is hard to determine if it is porn or not. I remember Judge Harry Blackman of the Supreme Court once stated, ” I can’t define pornography but I know it when I see it.”
so once again its a difficult question..

I agree with you both, it is a hard question (hehe) Personally I don’t mind pushing the envelope with nudity or genitalia if it has a purpose or a point behind it, rather than just nudity for nudity’s sake.

Sometimes I see an image that is a face with a tiny amount of bare shoulder or a semi dressed figure (say a bathing suit or something) classed as a nude and I always wonder why? is that a nude? where is the line drawn? when does it cross over from being a figure to being a nude?

as far as I am concern nude is “naked’...... at least a part of the body has to be naked either with bra and without panties or vice versa or completely naked. if someone wearing a bathing suite or bikini then it is not a nude at all !
if you use any fabric it has to be transparent, so, we can see the body line!

I would have to agree with Antoine for me nude is naked…...................having said that I think my best pieces do utilise some covered area but never a bra or knickers. I love to use scarfs hats or even shrubs….......................just went back and had a look at some of my latest pieces….....some don’t have cloth of any type but I would suggest the models are draped in light, does that make sense?

@Barssel:
Lights are the most crucial part of nudes..and I agree with you completely to draped the models in light..perfect light metering or light and shadow play – is one of the tools to make the image more powerful and beautiful…and not to forget that the expression and the pose also is another key to give the impression of seduction and erotic without being porn – Just like in music we have pure classical ^{quiet heavy to understand} and light classical or mainstream Jazz contra the Fusion Jazz! The Important thing in nudes is the Aesthetic form and the message..the story behind the image! and also the photography technique!
that will make and stir up a different mind set for the viewer

After I got censored recently I thought I’d make something so ridiculous sublime that it couldn’t be censored. But…

Read the story here

l’ve always considered a nude to be an image/sculpture of our physical selves not normally revealed in a day to day public environmentie; naked. so if it’s a bikini/bra/knickers shot…not a nude as you can go to any beach or look in any clothing catalogue magazine anywhere in the world and see this.

Obviously I’m a huge fan of the nude (male nude) in particular…Still there should be a level of difference between an excuse to publish home porn and a graceful artistic nude. I dont think there is really a criteria for it..One just knows when one sees something artistic or indeed offensive.

i always believe the differnce between porn and art is… motive..

all in the mind…... not the picture