Nudes: Craig Colvin and Joseph E. Reid (US) and Ricardo de Vicq de Cumptich (Brazil) Play with Expectations

Craig Colvin, Joseph E. Reid and Ricardo de Vicq Cumptich revel in the form of the human body in their latest works

Nude photography can often times be bland in presentation. It’s either too simplistic or visually glib. Photographers can either be bogged down with lofty aesthetics or facile presentation. But while many photographers seem to be fine existing on either side of this spectrum, a few elevate themselves above it and realize that the body is a canvas of creativity and imagination.

Craig Colvin‘s self-initiated work Rainbow Hills (ABOVE) is a reminder of the possibilities that the human body possesses. Similar in scope to the work of Jonathan Knowles‘ Bodyscapes, Colvin reimagines the body as a pashmina-like cascade of colors, textures, and styles. The body painted models lie sideways next to one another, creating a waterfall of contouring flesh and muscle. It is both haunting and strikingly alluring, making it no surprise that this one of Colvin‘s “most successful images and has been sold to collectors around the world.”

Frequently featured Graphis artist Ricardo de Vicq de Cumptich returns with yet another piece that explores the female form in monochromatic style entitled Mariana (ABOVE, LEFT). Utilizing a distorted visualization that is achieved via a low shutter speed, Cumptich presents a dichotomous view of the body–both elegant and yet chaotic. An enticing perspective, Cumptich is no stranger to exploring the boundaries of the corpus.

Presenting a more DIY-aesthetic is Joseph E. Reid‘s Against the Wall (ABOVE, RIGHT). The photographer has a myriad of different women from different backgrounds and body types stand against a copper radiator and a simple grey wall, either facing the camera head-on or turning their backs to it and looking back. It’s an arresting and arousing piece that showcases in the artist’s words “aspects of strength and beauty.” It seems that Reid has achieved his goal, decidedly presenting a work that is both of an excellent standard and yet touchingly relatable.

It isn’t too late for you to see your work up here too! Submissions for Graphis’ Nudes 5 Competition run till August 7. Winners will have the opportunity to see their work published on our website, blog, newsletter, and social media platforms!