I choose 5 deviants to select their 5 all-time favorite nudes on deviantART. Here are the deviants and their choices. In volume two I selected `glitterdarkstar, *boxedphotos, `hbynoe, =wynnesome, and =UniqueNudes

selects...

by *trond. I have always gravitated to this image as it presents an aesthetic and pulls at my heart strings, the title carefully reflects the emotion in the body and its action. he has created and experimented in a way i wish i could. *trond is also someone who i look up to creatively, he has the ability to create organic scenes with his artistic nude and portraits. I have had this on my wish list for a long time and as soon as i find a fitting place to hang this piece of emotion i will.

*katlove is someone who i have wanted to take photographs of for a while, however when she turns the camera upon herself a carefully crafted emotion and reality comes to life. I love her method of expression and the way she makes her body follow her heart. It is a photograph that over time changes and means more to you as you look and take it in.

~vkansanen's expression through "the visual" is one that is categorized by the experimental, the surreal, the absurd and the extraordinary. It was really hard for me to choose something from him, as his gallery is littered with such profound beauty, but I chose this one as it was the first that i saw that showed a little more rapid emotion and some hesitation with medium. This artist will grow above and beyond as he is fearless.

by ~ostanine. Konsta's gallery makes me feel weak in the knees, since discovering him he has become a major source of inspiration to me, his work is haunting, real, provocative and above all else honest. He also photographs and delves into the feminine world with a knowledge and tenderness that isn't a common insight. I would rarely consider stepping in front of anyone's camera, his I would without hesitation.

by *photoport. Picking the last piece is incredibly hard for me, when i first came to dA i had one main Artistic Nude inspiration *photoport so it is fitting that the last piece comes from him Pavel is wild, that is the word used to describe what he does, his work is full of the feminine, even though the view is from a very masculine standpoint. This photograph combines what he does so well, incorporating the surreal and the strength of a woman.

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selects...

by =eelmikashigaru. I love the use of color in this piece, and the palette of earth tones is warm and organic. The highlights and shadows in the bodypainting of the models gives contrast and contour that is often accomplished through lighting alone. The pose is fantastic - I don't know if the models, the photographer, or both, had the idea for the pose, but this is not accidental; it's a beautifully planned execution of an artistic vision. The collaborators have used three bodies to create a structure that transcends the single human form.

by ~somastardust I think it's the angular symmetry that keeps me coming back to this photograph over and over again. The lighting and contrast are dramatic yet very bright, which is to be admired on the technical level. And I see a great deal of tension and emotion in the model's body and pose. It doesn't seem likely to be a spontaneous pose, yet the model clearly feels a purpose to putting her body in this particular shape relative to this particular object. She carries this intent through her coiled posture, her lowered head, and her stretched and spread fingers.

by *cable9tuba This piece has a perfect title that sums up everything about it. It conveys a singular, coherent conceptual message about the expectations placed upon a man, and yet it also encompasses such a beautiful figure study. The model is obviously large and muscular, but it is the structure he creates with his body that makes him, and the photo, a monolith. He doesn't just assume a position, but imbues his stance with utter impenetrability of body and will. To complement the model's commitment, the photographer adds a straight on, unambiguous angle of view, and lighting incorporating gorgeous contrast and great definition of the dark figure against the even darker background.

by *GavinBell A spectacular example of the "bodyscape" style of artistic nude imagery, which focuses on a semi-abstract purity of form, texture, light, and shadow. The contrast in this photograph is just magnificent. It's very easy to create areas of "bright light" and "dark shadow" in an image -- but not easy at all to do so with this much rich subtlety from the bright whites, smoothly through the full range of greys, and finally to the pure blacks. This same quality of lighting is what allows for the amazing level of detail shown in the textures of the model's skin. I also like the fact that even though the model is clearly female, neither her genitals nor her breasts need to be the focus of the image. The delicacy of the light playing along every inch of her abdomen transforms it into a fascinating focal point to the eye, leaving time and room to travel a path up to the darkly shaded hills of her ribcage and breasts.

by *Northcumbria I don't like the fact that the artist has placed this image in a folder called "sleazy ones." I do love the image itself. There is a range of emotion to relate to here, from feelings of loneliness, abandonment, fear,and sadness, to the literal captivity and restriction depicted. And all of this is demonstrated by *Northcumbria's simply bound figure, placed in the uncluttered, yet coldly industrial/street setting of the garage. The tonal range of the image is soft rather than harsh, and his pose amidst all of this is flowing and graceful, suggesting not defiance and protest, but perhaps resignation and acceptance. Whether he has given up the fight or not yet begun it is the question of importance. The viewer might be led to ask him or herself this same question in regard to whatever situation could be causing feelings of abandonment or imprisonment in his or her own life.

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selects...

by ~amelkovich. It is difficult make a choice in the gallery of this artist. Every photos here is like a piece of history. I image this pic as 2 bodies, an human one and a machine. But I'm not sure who is who.

by ~bakhvalov. When I saw this photo the 1st time it enraptured my eyes, then my mind, then my soul. The expression of the model is like an eternal blocked frame... I can hear her voice mute in my mind.

by ~kiranpatil. It is like we are in 60's. The squared crop gives more emphasis at the idea.

by ~AlexanderB. The whole essence of femininity is contained in this shot. The grain adds a nostalgic mood.

by ~baseport. It reminds me a crucifixion. Like a ebony statue who contains the spirit of its creator.

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selects...

There is just something about nudes in public that make me smile and love life. The bravery for a model to pose nude in any other genre is up there but when a model steps into real life and bares herself I think wow life should be more like that with less people caring what others do for the sake of nudity.

This to me feels like it could actually be a add for Ikea in Sweden. The model is amazingly perfect I think if he had gone with a young tight bodied model for me this image would not have worked for me. I love how free and strong looking she is and that added with the composition and colour draws you right into her eyes.

To me this image is so pleasing to my eye. The models pose the background and this amazing lighting. I just want to sit here and watch her come to life. Well that and go play and touch all the stuff on that shelf..lol

I have to be one of the bestest cheerleaders for self portrait nudes. This one is right up there as one of my top five for that section. I usually am one of those photographers that HATES to have any forum of grain show up in her images it totally frustrates me. But with images like this one by "Fidget" I feel more as a viewer looking at this image because of the graininess of it and the more heart felt feeling it seems to add to it.

by ~Se1eZnef. This image is so dream like I just want to watch it all unfold. The monotone of the back ground colours that just enhance that wonderful window that lights the models is just awe striking to me.

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selects...

by *Renoux. Most people who follow the Artistic Nude genre are familiar with Pascal Renoux's work, but not everyone may have seen this amazingly soulful image from back in 2004, as it's pretty far back in his gallery. It is a stunning piece of emotional work ("souffrance" in English means "suffering"), with the perfect capture of her flying hair done without the overly harsh shadows that a flash set-up would normally create. Coupled with the artistic and tasteful vinnetteing (which is often overdone by many artists) Renoux has created a beautiful and emotionally haunting piece; one of dA's best. I believe this is the first artistic nude image I ever favorited on deviantART; just a few days after joining.

by =wynnesome. The use of perspective in this image is stunning. The diagonal composition of the model's legs (with just enough depth of field to keep the toes out of focus and force the viewer's eye up the image) helps sets the stage to draw your attention around the frame and let you take the whole thing in leisurely. The colors, though, are the best part. The rich, red walls of Red Rock Canyon are beautifully off-set by the off calmer blue light, which seems to perfectly match her hair and toenails.

by *groundlingchild. I've actually suggested this piece for a DD, because I truly believe this is a benchmark in artistic nudes. It shows emotion and drama, and uses both negative space and the rule of thirds in almost perfect harmony. Also, the shadow effect and highlights on her piercing are stunning. The young artist is fairly new to photography but she has an amazing way of capturing her models, as seen here in this photo and also her recent Daily Deviation Staged Romance.

by ~InsomniacStudios, aka `krash. This one I recommended for a DD back in 2005 which it recieved and was well deserved. It was shot in a public tunnel under the Metro in St. Louis so it had to be done quickly and with minimal set-up and lighting. Despite that, the pose is extraordinary, the lighting vs shadow superb and the overall composition makes this one of the best male nudes ever shot on dA, in my opinion.

by ~decline07. I'm not even sure what to say about this piece other than "wow." This German artist has some other great images in his gallery, but this one quite literally takes my breath away every time it pops up in my random favorites window. Obviously the model's posing is unique and eye-catching, along with the silver paint. But it's the way the highlights are captured off her skin, and the minor reflection in the floor that really sets this piece off from any imitators. It is flawlessly excecuted and amazing to look at, every single time. Great lighting and a perfect example of how center-framed photography can be great if done well.

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I want to thank all the participants, especially `glitterdarkstar who filled in at the last minute to bail me out.

^arachnid15