All images by Joshua Going. Used with permission.
Photographer Joshua Going was born and raised in Saco, Maine. At 19, Joshua moved to San Francisco, California to pursue his Photography degree. He shoots a number of styles with Lifestyle photography being some of the more eye catching works that he produces. Josh now lives in Brooklyn after getting his Associate’s degree–one of the perfect places to try to be outside of his comfort zone.
In fact, Josh thrives on being in situations like that. He loves exploring new places, interacting with new people, and looks at it all as a challenge. Part of this is why I was so intrigued by his work featuring fine art nude portraits out in nature.
You see, Josh had body issues and embraced photography as a way of expressing himself.
Phoblographer: Talk to us about how you got into photography.
Joshua: I had a really hard time finding my artistic medium. I always felt like a creative person but couldn’t find anything that really held my interest. I’ve only been shooting for about 5 years now. Right after I graduated high school I got a little point and shoot camera as a gift. My friends and I goofed around with it one day and did a little photoshoot. I was immediately hooked. Soon after I bought my first DSLR and just kept shooting. It felt so natural to me.
Phoblographer: What made you want to get into fine art nude portraiture?
Joshua: For a very long time I suffered from really bad body issues. Growing up, I had a really hard time. I was extremely overweight and super uncomfortable with my sexuality. Taking these nude photos have been a way for me to express myself in a way I was never in the past comfortable with. It allows for me, in a way, to completely expose myself. On the other side though, now as a young adult who’s very comfortable in my own skin, these photos are a celebration of body and soul. I think the human body is such a beautiful thing. It should be celebrated no matter what shape or size.
Phoblographer: Where do you typically draw inspiration from? Lots of your work features people in fields or in nature. So how does this effectively communicate the creative vision, message and intent that you had when planning the image?
Joshua: I get a lot inspiration from childhood depression and insecurity as i said earlier. I like to play around with the idea of complete exposure in very public atmospheres. It’s about challenging ones comfort level and passing through inner boundaries. The environment also talks about insecurity. You’re completely exposed and there is truly no way to hide yourself.
Phoblographer: A lot of your images are contrasty with appropriate levels of fade, so how do you feel this look helps to get across the specific feeling you’re trying to evoke from a viewer?
Joshua: I like to make my photos over the top moody. I think the visuals add to the story the image is telling. It’s more of just a personal style that I like in my work.
Phoblographer: Most of your work is sepia or black and white. But when you use color, it seems like you’re very much about minimal use of it. Why?
Joshua: I think it honestly all depends on what I’m shooting. A lot of my commercial work is extremely saturated and popping with color. For these nudes I feel like color doesn’t play an important part. On top of that, I think that the black and white, sepia, or muted colors really add to the feeling of isolation and insecurity.
Phoblographer: How do you communicate your ideas to your models? Do you storyboard? What are the shoots typically like?
Joshua: It can definitely be challenging to find models who are willing to be naked in front of a camera. When you do find people its very important to make them feel comfortable. I’m never demanding with my models, I always ask what they are ok with and what they are not. I really not much of a storyboarded. I prefer to just jump into an environment and go with whats around me. I’d like to think shoots with me are fun! I’m a very fast shooter. I’m not one to take 50 pictures of the same pose. I like for my models to move around a lot and not be afraid to do weird things, like climb a tree or do a back flip.
Phoblographer: Talk to us about the gear that you use and the processes you use the get the images you want to create.
Joshua: I shoot mainly with a Canon 5D Mk III. For my nude photos I only use natural light. When it comes to editing, I just do what visually pleases me and works for the image. I wish I could tell you some special formula I use but every image is just so different.
