Ruben Brulat Asked Strangers To Pose Nude For Him And The Results Are Breathtaking

Being asked to pose nude for a photographer can be kind of awkward, even if you are friends. But imagine being asked to pose nude for someone you may have just met. Photographer Ruben Brulat did just that as he backpacked from Europe to Asia.  

Using a 4-by-5 large-format camera Brulat traveled by any means possible to places he had never been. Meeting new people along the way, Brulat would ask these new friends to pose nude for him for his new collection entitled “Paths”.    

“When I would meet a person or a few people, we would create friendship. We would share. I would talk about the project. If they were ready, and if there was a place nearby that we could explore—and if the nature was magnificent and strong and overwhelming—then there would be a picture,”

Of course it was never the first topic of conversation. Brulat would spend as much time as possible with his new friend before popping the question. Not surprisingly many people were very hesitant, fearing the pictures would be pornographic, but Brulat showed them another series of nudes he had (a collection called “Primates” which were non-sexual and included Brulat posing nude) which put them at ease. Brulat wanted his subjects to:  

‘Give yourself away to nature.’

‘Let it go completely and let it take you,’  

In this series of photos Brulat wanted to show how connected we are to nature and how vulnerable we can be in the grand scheme of things.    

“I hope the photos talk about friendship, about the vulnerability of us and of time, about the brief moments of life that fade quickly into memories. We all met sometimes far but sometime close to home, and often then said goodbye to each other forever. It was a quest for the aesthetic journey, through countries far away, through ancient cultures and endless land.”

For all the art lovers out there I’m sure you’ll agree that Brulat has created some pretty spectacular images. And for all you non-art lovers may I present the sexiest version of “Where’s Waldo” ever.

Via Slate