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"Art can never exist without naked beauty displayed," William Blake declared, prompting a triumphant post-Renaissance return of the nude in Western art and, some centuries later, serving as a happy catalyst for photographer Marc Baptiste. His latest book, Marc Baptiste Nudes (Universe; $45), is inspired by innocence, and captures achingly beautiful moments with women who might live up to the theme if they didn't seem so at ease with their allure. Here Baptiste talks to Men's Vogue about the way to earn a woman's trust, why eyes say more than flesh, and the irresistible mix of softness and strength.
Men's Vogue: Getting people to feel comfortable in front of the camera is difficult enough, how do you achieve this once their clothes come off?
Marc Baptiste: It's pretty much wide open. I try to establish trust first, respect, and make sure they're having fun, that they're not so uptight. It just starts with a conversation.
MV: So you have to make sure you're talking to the right woman?
MB: Yeah, that's the whole idea: casting. It's really hard. We have to find the right subject, a subject that can convey innocence, and we have to capture that innocence. It's a lot of conversation. Sometimes you get it in one roll, and sometimes you don't.
MV: And what were you looking for with this book?
MB: Innocence. Not everybody conveys innocence. You can be 50 and still convey innocence, and you can see a baby and think, 'Wow, she's been here before.' It's all in the eyes they can be a little naïve or a little innocent. It's really physical what I'm trying to capture—the softness.
MV: Then innocence doesn't equal inexperience for you?
MB: Well, that's not innocence, is it, lack of experience? I mean to say naïve, which doesn't have the same meaning as vulnerable.
MV: You see strength behind the softness?
MB: Exactly. And the strength can be hidden. That doesn't mean they're vulnerable, just that the strength is camouflaged. So they don't see you coming. And again, to project that on film they really have to trust you.
MV: Being that the female nude is a longtime photographic favorite, do you think you're bringing something new to the field?
MB: I think my approach is different than everybody else's, because I am trying to establish a trust, and that creates a certain energy for the pictures. My goal is not shock: It's to embellish. I'm all about the embellishing of the human form.
MV: Does that mean you're sticking with naked ladies?
MB: Well, I have this new book project I'm working on, and it¹s a book of Haitians.
MV: You're from Haiti, right?
MB: I'm from Haiti. So that changes things a little.
MV: So the focus won't be on beautiful women, though I have a feeling they'll still be there.
MB: Very. Of course. I couldn't escape it even if I wanted to.
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